The Worst Witch author Jill Murphy dies aged 72

 

Johnson has confidence in Raab as 'government working round the clock'

Kylie Jenner Is Pregnant with Her Second Child with Travis Scott

The Worst Witch author Jill Murphy has died at the age of 72, her publisher has said.©

The writer and illustrator, best known for her series of children’s books about witch Mildred 

Hubble and her classmates, as well as the Large Family series starting with Five Minutes’ 

Peace, died from cancer on August 18 with her son and niece at her side in hospital in 

Cornwall.
Her son Charlie Murphy said in a statement: “I feel beyond lucky to have had a mum like 

mine, and it’s impossible to summarise the ways her absence will be felt.
“She had a depth of character, a warmth and a life force like no other. I miss her so much 

already.”
Pamela Todd, who was Murphy’s friend and agent for more than 30 years, added: “It’s a 

sad day for children’s books. Jill was so creative, beautiful and funny.
“Her genius lay in the way both the child and the adult could identify with her stories, 

which she wrote and illustrated herself.
“Children who grew up on Peace At Last, Whatever Next! and The Large Family are now 

buying the books for their children’s children.
“The little girls who created playground games around Mildred Hubble and her classmates 

are now directing, producing and acting in the television series of The Worst Witch and the 

stage show, which last year took the Olivier award.
“Jill was just coming into her prime and had so much more to offer. This is a great loss, not 

least to me personally, but we are comforted that she leaves an amazing legacy of books for 

generations to come.”