Jill Murphy

Jill Murphy (1949-2021) was a British children's author and illustrator who achieved significant success with her Worst Witch series and Large Family picture books. Her work has sold millions of copies and has been adapted for both stage and television productions. Murphy began creating stories and illustrations at age six, building her own library of hand-written books while still in primary school. She attended a Roman Catholic grammar school in Wimbledon on scholarship, where she continued to develop her creative talents despite not excelling in other academic subjects. The Worst Witch series, launched in 1974 with its first publication by Allison & Busby, follows the adventures of Mildred Hubble at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. The Large Family series, featuring a family of elephants, deals with everyday domestic situations and has become a staple of children's literature. Murphy's work is characterized by its blend of humor and authentic childhood experiences, drawing from her own upbringing in post-war Britain. She continued writing and illustrating until her death in 2021 in St Mabyn, Cornwall.

Readers connect strongly with Murphy's relatable characters and authentic portrayal of childhood experiences. Parents note that her books help children process everyday challenges through humor and gentle storytelling. What readers liked: - Characters feel real and imperfect, especially Mildred Hubble from The Worst Witch - Illustrations complement the stories effectively - Large Family books address common family situations without being preachy - Stories remain engaging after multiple readings - Appropriate level of tension for young readers What readers disliked: - Some found The Worst Witch plots repetitive - Later books in series perceived as less original - A few parents noted dated gender roles in earlier works Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: The Worst Witch averages 4.1/5 from 27,000+ ratings - Amazon: Large Family books average 4.7/5 - Most individual titles maintain 4+ star ratings One parent wrote: "My daughter sees herself in Mildred - trying her best but things going wrong. It helps her understand mistakes are normal."

The Worst Witch (1974) Mildred Hubble begins her first year at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches, establishing herself as the most accident-prone witch in the school.

The Worst Witch Strikes Again (1980) Mildred returns for her second year and is assigned to mentor a new student, Enid Nightshade, leading to more magical mishaps.

A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch (1982) In her third year, Mildred faces being turned into a frog by her nemesis Ethel Hallow.

The Worst Witch All at Sea (1993) Mildred's class goes on a seaside vacation where she struggles to keep her forbidden cat hidden.

The Worst Witch Saves the Day (2005) Mildred deals with a new teacher and a mysterious new student who isn't what she appears to be.

The Worst Witch to the Rescue (2007) Mildred's summer holiday project disappears, leading to a series of misunderstandings and magical accidents.

The Worst Witch and the Wishing Star (2013) Mildred finds a dog who can fly on a broomstick and attempts to keep him secret from the academy staff.

First Prize for the Worst Witch (2018) Mildred competes in the Third Year Witch competitions while dealing with strange events at the academy.

Diana Wynne Jones wrote numerous fantasy series about young witches and wizards learning magic, including Chrestomanci and Howl's Moving Castle. Her stories feature similar themes of magical education and misfit characters finding their place, comparable to Murphy's Worst Witch series.

Helen Nicoll created the Meg and Mog series about a witch and her cat, aimed at young readers. The simple illustrations and magical mishaps share elements with Murphy's early reader work.

Cressida Cowell writes about magical education and adventure in her How to Train Your Dragon series. Her work combines fantasy elements with school experiences in a way that echoes The Worst Witch's blend of magic and academic life.

Joyce Lankester Brisley authored the Milly-Molly-Mandy series focusing on everyday family life and domestic situations. Her stories share the same attention to daily family dynamics found in Murphy's Large Family series.

Martin Waddell writes picture books about family life and relationships, including the Little Bear series. His focus on parent-child relationships and domestic scenarios mirrors Murphy's approach in her picture books.