Jill Murphy

Jill Murphy

  • 5 stars across 66 books
Jill Murphy Biography
Born on 5th July 1949, Jill Murphy is a British writer and illustrator of children's books, best known for The Worst Witch stories and The Large Family picture books.
 
Jill’s work has won numerous prizes and awards; her first picture book, Peace at Last was Commended for the Kate Greenaway Medal and she was shortlisted for the same Medal for A Quiet Night In, the first of the Mr and Mrs Large picture books about the endearing domestic chaos of an elephant family. Five Minutes Peace has sold more than five millions copies worldwide and has been translated into 19 languages.
 
Jill showed an interest in writing and drawing from the age of six when she went on to create her own enormous library of handwritten and illustrated books when still attending primary school.
 
After leaving school, Jill attended both Chelsea Art School and Croydon Art School. Two years later, she finished her first novel The Worst Witch.
 
Jill Murphy Facts
The "Large Family" is now a TV series on CBeebies and ABC Kids. In 1996 The Last Noo-Noo was adapted as a play and performed at the Polka Theatre, London.
 
Jill latest reissue release, The Worst Witch: TV Tie-In was published in to accompany the new CBBC series.
 
Our favourite Jill Murphy Book Characters
Mildred Hubble, Enid Nightshade and Maud Spellbody – from The Worst Witch series
Lester Large– from The Large Family series
 
Our favourite Jill Murphy Book Quotes
Sybil Hallow: Hello, Mildred. 
Mildred Hubble: Oh. Hello, Sybil. 
Sybil Hallow: Could I just say, I thought you were amazing the other night? When you got the Chief Wizard to turn that frog back into a man. I don't care what Ethel says, I think you're absolutely brilliant. 
Mildred Hubble: Oh. Well, that's very nice of you to say so. 
Sybil Hallow: In fact, I wish you were my sister, and not Ethel.” (The Worst Witch)
6th July 2007

Peace at Last

The hour was late and Mr Bear was tired. But he could not sleep -- however he tried and wherever he tried. SNORE, SNORE ... MorePeace at Last

(113 reviews) Review
5th September 2013

The Worst Witch

'Millions of young readers have fallen under the spell of Jill Murphy's Worst Witch' - Sunday Express Hold on... MoreThe Worst Witch

(61 reviews) Review
6th July 2007

Whatever Next!

The moon and back before bathtime? Whatever next! Join Baby Bear as he finds a rocket, makes friends with an owl and has... MoreWhatever Next!

(41 reviews) Review
28th May 2018

First Prize for the Worst Witch

"I am a hopeless case - everything I do always does go wrong in the end." Mildred Hubble may be ... MoreFirst Prize for the Worst Witch

(24 reviews) Review
4th September 2014

The Worst Witch (Colour Gift Edition)

Miss Cackle's Academy is no ordinary school. It stands at the top of a high mountain surrounded by a pine forest, and ... MoreThe Worst Witch (Colour Gift Edition)

(20 reviews) Review
5th September 2013

The Worst Witch Strikes Again

The Worst Witch Strikes Again by Jill Murphy is the second book in the classic Worst Witch series starring the lovable b... MoreThe Worst Witch Strikes Again

(20 reviews) Review
5th June 2006

A Quiet Night In

A modern picture-book classic - there's never a dull moment with the Large family! It's Mr Large's birthday and Mrs Lar... MoreA Quiet Night In

(20 reviews) Review
5th June 2006

All In One Piece

A modern picture-book classic - there's never a dull moment with the Large family! Mr and Mrs Large are getting ready f... MoreAll In One Piece

(18 reviews) Review
6th July 2007

On the Way Home

"Well," said Claire, "there was a very big, bad wolf . . . Claire has hurt her knee so she sets off home to te... MoreOn the Way Home

(18 reviews) Review
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