The short chapters and illustrations make it an ideal series for emerging readers aged 7 and over, although parents will also enjoy reading the books aloud. Whether it is on the TV, the stage or in the pages of the books the worst witch Mildred is an irresistible heroine with her zest for adventure, disastrous mishaps and occasionally fiery temper. Over the years, the books have inspired many TV adaptations, including the current series on CBBC and Netflix as well as the touring stage play The Worst Witch Live. The first book came out in 1974 but Murphy’s fabulous illustrations and funny stories of boarding school life continue to delight millions of readers today. The Worst Witch books were written by much-loved British author Jill Murphy when she was just sixteen years old, inspired by her own experiences at boarding school. Mildred and her best friends, sensible Maud and jokey Enid, are always in trouble, but their good-natured loyalty means that they (mostly) manage to save the day.

Her spells go wrong, her broomstick crashes and she even turns teacher’s pet Ethel Hallow into a pig. Whilst Miss Cackle the headmistress tolerates Mildred’s madcap behaviour, her form teacher Miss Hardbroom is less impressed. Mildred is well-intentioned but clumsy, constantly getting into scrapes and quickly earning a reputation as the worst witch in the school. Mildred Hubble is a pupil at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches – a boarding school that looks more like a prison, with grey turrets and pupils clad in black uniforms with hob-nailed boots.

The worst witch by jill murphy