Product Description

Mildred Hubble is the worst witch at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches - she's always getting her spells wrong. But she manages to get by until she turns Ethel, the teacher's pet, into her deadly enemy . . .

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17102 in Books
• Published on: 2004-11-25
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 112 pages

About the Author
Jill Murphy started putting books together (literally with a stapler), when she was six. The Worst Witch was first published in 1974 and this much-loved classic has been enjoyed by readers for more than 30 years. Jill Murphy also written and illustrated several award-winning picture books for younger children.

Customer Reviews

A classic
I first read this book in about 1981 and I've loved it ever since. Forget the terrible tv series which had very little to do with the actual work, this book is a great read - FULL of spooky, misty, atmosphere and marvellous characters like the terrifying Miss Hardbroom... Well worth reading, especially for any child who missed the tv series...(btw, the best adaptation was the 1980s film with Fairuza Baulk, a fab Halloween film :0)

Good
Jill Murphy wrote this book at the age of 18 and five publishers (adults of course) rejected it saying it was boring. So, she put it away for six whole years! Now children love it and it is very popular, so, she was right and they were wrong! This is now called a modern classic and I love her books about the worst witch - Mildred Hubble! Jill Murphy did not only write it but she illustrated it as well! She started making books, writing stories and doing drawings to match, at the age of six, (she did actually staple it)! Here is a bit about the story: Mildred Hubble is a new pupil at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches and she was not getting on very well - especially because she had Ethel, the teacher's pet, miss perfect and little miss goody-two-shoes as her worst enemy. Will the help of her best friend, Maud, and her tabby cat, not a sleek black cat like all the rest but a meek little tabby kitten, lend a hand to her so she can do better at school? I would rate this book 9.5/ 10 and would recommend it to anyone in the mood for some magic and humour!

The proto-Harry Potter?
'The Worst Witch' series was a favourite of mine as a child - a sort of proto-Harry Potter for kids in the early 80's, albeit aimed at a slightly younger age group. As a fan of the Potter books, I was curious to know whether the HP phenomenon had led to a resurgence of interest in the adventures of Mildred and co. I was so certain that the books would be out of print by now, so to rediscover them all over again was a joy. After re-reading the Worst Witch, I was pleased to see that it has stood the test of time. Recommended for younger readers of the Harry Potter series and children of all ages (including 30-somethings!)