Jill Murphy

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born

in London, England, The United Kingdom

July 05, 1949

gender

female

genre

Children's Books

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Jill Murphy is a London-born English children's author, best known for The Worst Witch series and the Large Family picture books. She has been described as "one of the most engaging writers and illustrators for children in the land."

Jill Murphy was born in London and attended the Ursuline Convent in Wimbledon which, together with the boarding school stories she enjoyed reading, provided much of the material and inspiration Miss Cackle's Academy in the The Worst Witch, which she started when she was 15. Mildred Hubble is very much a self-portrait! She put the book on hold as she attended both Chelsea and Croydon Art Schools, but continued to write it whilst living in a village in Togo, West Africa for a year and then whilst working as a nann...more Jill Murphy is a London-born English children's author, best known for The Worst Witch series and the Large Family picture books. She has been described as "one of the most engaging writers and illustrators for children in the land."

Jill Murphy was born in London and attended the Ursuline Convent in Wimbledon which, together with the boarding school stories she enjoyed reading, provided much of the material and inspiration Miss Cackle's Academy in the The Worst Witch, which she started when she was 15. Mildred Hubble is very much a self-portrait! She put the book on hold as she attended both Chelsea and Croydon Art Schools, but continued to write it whilst living in a village in Togo, West Africa for a year and then whilst working as a nanny back at home. The book was published when Jill turned 24 and proved an instant success. However, Jill continued working as a nanny until the publication of The Worst Witch Strikes Again prompted her to devote herself to full-time writing. The Worst Witch stories have become some of the most outstandingly successful titles on the Young Puffin paperback list and have sold more than 3 million copies. They were also made into a major ITV series. She is also well known for her picture books and was commended in the 1980 Kate Greenaway Medal for Peace at Last. A Quiet Night In was shortlisted for the same medal in 1994. She is best known for the very popular Mr and Mrs Large picture books, which detail the domestic chaos of an elephant family. Five Minute's Peace won the 1987 Parents Magazine Best Books for Babies Award, as well as being shortlisted for the 1986 Children's Book Award. All in One Piece was highly commended for the 1987 Kate Greenaway Award and shortlisted for the 1987 Children's Book Award. The Last Noo-noo won the 0-5 category of the 1995 Smarties Book Prize and in the same year was shortlisted for the English 4-11 Outstanding Children's Book of the Year, going on to win the 1996 Sheffield Children's Book Award. It won the 1996 Gateshead Gold Award. In the same year it was adapted as a play and performed at the Polka Theatre, London.(less)

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Jill Murphy's Books

Average rating: 3.91 · 8,085 ratings · 424 reviews · 48 distinct works · Similar authors

	The Worst Witch (Worst Witch, #1) 3.88 of 5 stars 3.88 avg rating — 4,387 ratings — published 1974 — 24 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Worst Witch Strikes Again (Worst Witch, #2) 3.89 of 5 stars 3.89 avg rating — 722 ratings — published 1980 — 18 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch (Worst Witch, #3) 3.94 of 5 stars 3.94 avg rating — 577 ratings — published 1983 — 20 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Worst Witch All at Sea (Worst Witch, #4) 3.85 of 5 stars 3.85 avg rating — 455 ratings — published 1994 — 16 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Peace At Last 4.17 of 5 stars 4.17 avg rating — 401 ratings — published 1980 — 19 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Five Minutes' Peace 4.16 of 5 stars 4.16 avg rating — 375 ratings — published 1986 — 26 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Worst Witch Saves the Day (Worst Witch, #5) 3.9 of 5 stars 3.90 avg rating — 287 ratings — published 1999 — 7 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Worst Witch at School (Worst Witch #1-2) 3.91 of 5 stars 3.91 avg rating — 117 ratings — published 2007	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	All In One Piece 3.94 of 5 stars 3.94 avg rating — 93 ratings — published 1999 — 13 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Adventures of the Worst Witch (Worst Witch, #1-3) 3.95 of 5 stars 3.95 avg rating — 82 ratings — 3 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Jill Murphy…

Series by Jill Murphy

Worst Witch (6 books)
by Jill Murphy
3.887933590275719 of 5 stars 3.89 avg rating — 6,746 ratings

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