Jill Murphy facts for kids

Jill Murphy (born July 5, 1949 – died August 18, 2021) was a famous British author and illustrator. She wrote and drew many popular children's books. Her first book came out in 1974 when she was 24 years old.

Jill Murphy is best known for her exciting The Worst Witch novels and the charming Large Family picture books. Millions of her books have been sold around the world. Her stories have also been turned into plays and TV shows. People often called her "one of the most engaging writers and illustrators for children."

Jill Murphy's Early Life and Inspirations

Jill Murphy was born in London, England. She grew up in Chessington, Surrey. She had a classic childhood in the 1950s. Her mother stayed at home, and her father worked in an aircraft factory.

From a young age, Jill loved writing and drawing. When she was just six years old, she was already making her own huge library of handwritten and illustrated books! Even though she didn't do well in all school subjects, her creativity shone through.

She especially enjoyed reading stories about boarding schools. These stories gave her ideas for Miss Cackle's Academy, the magical school in her Worst Witch series. The Ursuline High School, Wimbledon, which she attended, also inspired her. Jill grew up in a Roman Catholic family.

The World of The Worst Witch Series

How The Worst Witch Began

Jill Murphy started writing The Worst Witch while she was still at school. This book tells the magical story of Mildred Hubble, a clumsy girl trying to fit in at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. Jill even said that Mildred Hubble was a bit like herself!

She paused writing the book while she studied at Chelsea and Croydon Art Schools. She also worked on it while living in Togo, West Africa, and later as a nanny in the UK.

Getting Published and Becoming a Bestseller

When Jill first tried to get The Worst Witch published, some publishers said children might be scared of a school for witches. But in 1970, when she was 21, she found a new company called Allison & Busby. They loved her book!

"They accepted it right away," Jill said. The book was a huge success when it came out in 1974. It sold out in just two months! Jill kept working as a nanny until her second Worst Witch book, The Worst Witch Strikes Again, came out in 1980. After that, she became a full-time writer.

The Worst Witch on Screen and Stage

The Worst Witch stories became incredibly popular. By 2016, more than five million copies had been sold worldwide.

The books were also made into a successful TV film in 1986. This film later aired on The Disney Channel. Later, an ITV series based on the books was shown on CITV from 1998 to 2001.

In 2018, a musical play called The Worst Witch Live opened. It toured the UK and even played in London's West End. The show won an Olivier Award in 2020 for being the best family show!

Jill Murphy's Popular Picture Books

Jill Murphy was also famous for her picture books. Her Large Family series is especially well-loved. These books show the funny, busy lives of an elephant family.

The first book in the series, Five Minutes' Peace (1986), has sold over five million copies globally. It has been translated into 19 languages! For her second book, All in One Piece (1987), she was honored with a commendation for the Kate Greenaway Medal. This award celebrates the best children's book illustrations in the UK.

The Large Family books have also been made into a television series. You can watch it on CBeebies and ABC Kids. Another of her picture books, The Last Noo-Noo, was turned into a play in 1996.

Jill also wrote other books like Dear Hound (2010). This story is about a deerhound dog who gets lost after a storm and his owners' journey to find him.

Her Life and Legacy

Jill Murphy was married twice and had one son named Charlie, who was born in 1990. She lived in St Mabyn, Cornwall, England. Jill Murphy passed away in a hospital in Cornwall on August 18, 2021, at the age of 72, after battling cancer.

Awards and Recognition

In 2007, University College Falmouth gave Jill Murphy an honorary fellowship. This was a special award to recognize her amazing work.

Her books also won many awards:

Books by Jill Murphy

See also

In Spanish: Jill Murphy para niños