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| Jill Murphy | |
British author and illustrator Jill Murphy, who was best known for writing the children's book series the Worst Witch and the Large Family, died August 18. She was 72. The Guardian reported that Murphy "started writing the Worst Witch while still at school, completing her first manuscript at the age of 18. Her mother once commented that Murphy and her two friends looked like witches in their dark school uniforms, which gave the author the idea for her first book."
Although she initially struggled to find a publisher for her first novel, the book went on to sell millions of copies. Murphy's works also won many awards, including the Smarties prize for The Last Noo-Noo. Peace at Last and All in One Piece were both commended for the Kate Greenaway Medal.
The Bookseller noted that 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."
Pamela Todd, Murphy's friend and agent of more than 30 years, said: "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.... 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."
Her most recent picture book, Just One of those Days, was published last September. Belinda Ioni Rasmussen, managing director at Macmillan Children's Books, said: "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, managing director 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."
Karen Lotz, managing director of the Walker Books Group, added: "Jill herself lived with enormous dignity and dedication to her craft despite having to face difficult challenges. We were enormously proud to publish her at Walker and Candlewick, and it's a consolation to know that her wholly original work will continue to brighten the lives of children and families across the world."
Sanchita Basu De Sarkar, owner of Children's Bookshop in Muswell Hill, north London, told the Bookseller: "One of our greatest recent pleasures in the bookshop has been to introduce a single page from her recently published Meltdown... to our customers, without context. The illustration is so brilliantly funny, and it depicts a toddler experience so absolutely universal that without fail, they have all bought it. It is greatly comforting to know that her books will always have a place in children's hearts."