Here at LoveReading4Kids, we all gave a sad sad sigh this week as we lost one of our faves. Children’s author and illustrator Jill Murphy, best known for the Worst Witch novels has died aged 72. 

She passed away peacefully following a long struggle with cancer on Wednesday 18th August. Her son Charlie and niece Isabelle were at her side in hospital in Cornwall. 

I grew up with The Worst Witch and adored the cheeky antics of Mildred Hubble and her best friend Maud at Miss Cackle's Academy. She wrote and illustrated this, her first book, whilst still only 18 and the books have been adapted for television multiple times, including a beloved series in the late 1990s starring Georgina Sherrington, Felicity Jones and the late Una Stubbs.

She went on to create the award-winning Large Family series in 1986 about a group of elephant relatives, which has sold more than five million copies worldwide and was also adapted for television.

Another of our absolute faves were her picture books centred around the Bear Family, which was introduced in Peace At Last in 1980, with the series selling more than a million copies. Both of my kids adored this book with our much-loved, dog-eared copy still sitting pride of place on our bookshelf many years later.

Her last picture book, Just One Of Those Days was published by Macmillan Children’s Books in September 2020 and welcomed a new generation of fans.

Murphy started drawing and writing stories from an early age and by the age of 11 had made 90 books, which she kept and used to inspire children at events in later life. She studied at the Chelsea, Croydon and Camberwell Schools of Art.

Belinda Ioni Rasmussen, MD at Macmillan Children’s Books, paid tribute to Murphy, and said it had been “a privilege” to publish her for more than 40 years. “She had an unparalleled talent for storytelling through words and pictures and, without doubt, her picture books have become timeless children’s classics. When she drew the Bear family again for her latest book last year, it was as though they had never left her. The characters were the same, but undeniably contemporary and relevant, and ready to enchant new readers. Jill was funny, warm and kind and she was friends with many of us. She leaves a big hole in our hearts at MCB and will be missed very much, not least by me.” 

Francesca Dow, MD at Penguin Random House Children’s, added: “At Puffin, we are so proud to publish Jill Murphy and the hapless adventures of Mildred, Maud, Enid and Ethel at Miss Cackle’s Academy. Children across the globe have discovered the joy and power of reading through Jill’s magical stories, and we look forward to ensuring The Worst Witch continues to fly high on her broomstick, in memory of her incredible creator, for many years to come.” 

RIP Jill, and thank you for your contribution to the world of children's literature from my family, the LoveReading4Kids family and many millions more across the world.