Toppsta - Childrens Books – Reviews

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)