MURPHY, Jill (Frances) 1949-

PERSONAL: Born July 5, 1949, in London, England; daughter of Eric Edwin (an engineer) and Irene (Lewis) Murphy; children: Charles. Education: Attended Chelsea, Croydon, and Camberwell art schools.

ADDRESSES: Home—London, England. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Candlewick Press, 2067 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140.

CAREER: Writer and illustrator, 1976—. Worked in a children's home for four years and as a nanny for one year.

AWARDS, HONORS: Kate Greenaway Award nomination, British Library Association (BLA), 1981, and Children's Choice Book of 1981, Children's Book Council and International Reading Association, both for Peace at Last; Parents Best Books for Babies award, 1987, for Five Minutes' Peace; Kate Greenaway Award nominations, BLA, 1989, for All in One Piece, and 1994, for A Quiet Night In.

WRITINGS:

SELF-ILLUSTRATED; FOR CHILDREN

The Worst Witch (also see below), Allison & Busby (London, England), 1974, Schocken (New York, NY), 1980.

The Worst Witch Strikes Again (also see below), Allison & Busby (London, England), 1980, Viking Kestrel (New York, NY), 1988.

Peace at Last, Macmillan (London, England), Dial (New York, NY), 1980, published as Peace at Last—In Miniature!, Macmillan (New York, NY), 1987.

A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch (also see below), Kestrel (London, England), 1982, Viking Kestrel (New York, NY), 1988.

On the Way Home, Macmillan (London, England), 1982.

Whatever Next!, Macmillan (London, England), 1983, published as What Next, Baby Bear!, Dial (New York, NY), 1984.

Mrs Bear ("Bear Cut-Out Books" series), Macmillan (London, England), 1985.

Baby Bear ("Bear Cut-Out Books" series), Macmillan (London, England), 1985.

Mr Bear ("Bear Cut-Out Books" series), Macmillan (London, England), 1985.

Five Minutes' Peace (also see below), Walker (London, England), Putnam (New York, NY), 1986.

All in One Piece (also see below), Walker (London, England), Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

Worlds Apart, Walker (London, England), 1988, Putnam (New York, NY), 1988.

A Piece of Cake (also see below), Walker (London, England), Putnam (New York, NY), 1989.

Geoffrey Strangeways, Walker (London, England), 1990, published as Jeffrey Strangeways, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 1992.

A Quiet Night In (also see below), Walker (London, England), 1993, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 1994.

The Last Noo-Noo, Walker (London, England), Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 1995.

The Worst Witch at Sea, Viking (London, England), 1993, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 1995.

(With Rose Griffiths) The Worst Witch's Spelling Book, Puffin (London, England), 1995.

Adventures of the Worst Witch (includes The Worst Witch, The Worst Witch Strikes Again, and A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch), Viking (London, England), 1996.

All for One, Walker (London, England), 2000, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 2002.

The Large Family Collection (includes Five Minutes' Peace, All in One Piece, A Piece of Cake, and A Quiet Night In), Walker (London, England), 2000.

OTHER

(Illustrator) Fiona Macdonald, The Duke Who Had Too Many Giraffes, and Other Stories, Allison & Busby (London, England), 1977.

(Illustrator) Brian Ball, The Witch in Our Attic, British Broadcasting Corp. (London, England), 1979.

Murphy's writings have been translated into Welsh, Bengali, Chinese, Gujarati, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

ADAPTATIONS: The Worst Witch and Peace at Last were adapted for television in 1978 and 1984, respectively. The Worst Witch, A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch, Geoffrey Strangeways, and Peace at Last have all been adapted to audio; the "Worst Witch" books were again adapted for a television series on England's ITV, as Worst Witch, from 1998-2001, and as Weirdsister College, from 2001-2002.

SIDELIGHTS: Two decades before the "Harry Potter" books—about a British schoolboy at an academy for wizards—became a publishing sensation on both sides of the Atlantic, Jill Murphy had already conceived of and begun a series about a young British schoolgirl and her trials and tribulations at a school for witches. Murphy's "Worst Witch" books, the first of which was published in 1974, include The Worst Witch, The Worst Witch Strikes Back, A Bad Spell for Worst Witch, and The Worst Witch at Sea. In addition to this popular series, Murphy has also written and illustrated several warm and humorous picture books featuring the Larges, a family of pachyderms, two titles about the Bear family, and a duet of books about a loveable little monster named Marlon. Critics say these books for preschoolers and primary grade readers deal with domestic and school situations in a light, even-handed, and reinforcing manner. Murphy has also penned juvenile novels, including Worlds Apart, about a young girl who rediscovers her missing father, as well as a spoof of a medieval quest tale in Geoffrey Strangeways. Recipient of several Kate Greenaway Award nominations for her illustrations, Murphy is considered both a droll humorist and reassuring explicator of family situations in her text, and a spirited illustrator. Reviewing Murphy's artwork for Peace at Last, for example, a contributor for Publishers Weekly commended the "exuberant spirit of her remarkable paintings," which "leap with jovial surprise."

Born in London, England, in 1949, Murphy has "always drawn since I can remember," as she remarked in the St. James Guide to Children's Writers, "and written stories from an early age (four to be exact): the two skills were automatically linked. I still feel more comfortable in the company of children, so it's natural I should like to write about things they appreciate." Murphy once told CA: "I inherited the ability to draw from my father [an engineer] and I had a mother who liked being a mother. She encouraged me to be observant and to write from the age of three." Murphy began her writing ventures with small stapled books which she both authored and illustrated. She also confessed to having a difficult time at school because the only thing she wanted to do was "write stories and draw pictures." For Murphy, there was never any doubt that she would become an author and illustrator.

Attending art schools in Chelsea, Croydon, and Camberwell, Murphy, by the age of eighteen, had written and illustrated what would become her first published book, the middlegrade novel The Worst Witch. However, a drawer full of rejection slips would be collected before she found a publisher for that title, and meanwhile, she had a living to make, as a book jacket illustrator, a nanny, and as an assistant in a children's home, a position that inspired her first picture book, Peace at Last.

Murphy's first "Witch" book, The Worst Witch, appeared in 1974. Responding to a question by a group of young interviewers on the Young Writer Web site, Murphy noted the inspiration for these books. "My two friends and I used to come home [from school] in our dark uniforms, looking very scruffy at the end of theday....MyMum used to say 'Look at you all. You look like the three witches!' and it gave me the idea for a witch's school—so that it was exactly like my school, but with a subtle touch of magic."

In this first tale and in subsequent titles in the series, Murphy employs the usual motif of the girl's school story, including the typical girl who is good at everything, the one who is miserable at everything, and the mean headmistress, blending them with one magical element: the school happens to be Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. In her first year at the Academy, Mildred Hubble is the bumbling sort who always messes up her copybook. She manages to brew up bad potions, turn a fellow student into a pig quite by mistake, and make a mess of broomstick exercises for Halloween. But when she runs away from school only to stumble upon and undo the evil plotting of a rival coven of witches who are planning to take over the Academy, Mildred suddenly finds her place in the scheme of things.

This first book was widely praised by critics both in England and the United States. Leon Garfield, reviewing Worst Witch in the Spectator, felt that Murphy's debut novel "is more in the nature of a romp, but it comes off beautifully." Accompanied by line drawings by the author, this tale is a "brisk, tongue-in-cheek version of doings at a British academy for young ladies," according to a reviewer for Publishers Weekly. Zena Sutherland, writing in the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, found that the real appeal of the book was to be found "in the small disasters that beset the hapless Mildred's path."

Further adventures are presented in The Worst Witch Strikes Again, in which Mildred is put in charge of a new girl, Enid, who gets up to even more mischief than Mildred while appearing quiet and demure. "The racy humour of the book is supported by vigorous drawings that lend personality to the characters in terms of gentle caricature," wrote Margery Fisher in a Growing Point review. Also reviewing the second title, School Library Journal contributor Susan Cain thought that while the story was lacking, Murphy's artwork was "numerous and humorous."

The third title in the series, A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch, finds Mildred in her second year at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches, returning to Enid and Maud, her best friends. Things are not rosy back at the Academy, however, and soon Mildred gets on the wrong side of the teacher, Miss Hardbroom, once again. And then things get even worse after she is turned into a frog by her old nemesis, Ethel Hallow. Yet Mildred is able to once again turn adversity into victory, coming to the aid of a magician who has also been turned into a frog in this "beautifully cosy book," as Rodie Sudbery described it in the School Librarian. A. Thatcher, writing in Junior Bookshelf, added further praise by calling the book "funny, very original, and fast-moving."

Mildred's 1993 outing, The Worst Witch at Sea, finds her and a party of second-year girls invited to the seaside home of Mr. Rowan-Webb, the magician whom she saved in A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch. Mildred, however, cannot make the trip without her beloved cat, Tabby, but she must figure out where to hide the feline at the magician's castle. Elaine E. Knight, writing in School Library Journal, found this a "pleasant, undemanding story," and additionally commended Murphy's "humorous, gently eerie black-and-white drawings." R. Baines, writing in Junior Bookshelf, also lauded Murphy's "lively" drawings. This popular series has inspired both a dramatized version, starring Diana Rigg, as well as a series on England's ITV that began in 1998.

Murphy has also proven herself adept at picture books, writing in several highly popular and critically acclaimed series. With her 1980 book Peace at Last, she introduces the Bear family, in particular Papa Bear who is desperately trying to get away from all the noise that is keeping him awake at night. Mrs. Bear's snoring is the biggest enemy to his tranquility, and he tries to find a place where he will not hear it. Kristi L. Thomas, writing in School Library Journal, praised Murphy's text and especially her illustrations, describing them as "richly colored scenes glowing with inner lights." Elaine Moss, reviewing the picture book in the Times Literary Supplement, noted that Murphy's illustrations of the Bear family "are full of good oldfashioned domestic humour." And Zena Sutherland, writing in the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, found the book to be "an engaging vignette of family life," while Frances Ball, in a Books for Your Children review, called the same title "beautifully simple, beautifully illustrated."

The Bears make a return in Whatever Next!, a book that focuses on the youngest member of the clan on his evening picnic trip to the moon in a cardboard rocket. After having adventures with an owl, he returns home, landing through the chimney, but when he tries to tell his mother about the wonderful trip, she does not listen. Instead she just puts him in the bath to wash away the soot. Fisher, writing in Growing Point, found this a "gentle tale, which reconciles domestic security and imagination." Tessa Rose Chester also commented on this theme of "the security of family life" in a Times Educational Supplement review, while Booklist's Ilene Cooper focused on the artwork in her review of the American edition, What Next, Baby Bear!, praising the "charming full-page pictures in jewel-like colors."

Murphy introduces the Large family in the 1986 title, Five Minutes' Peace. In this first title about the elephant family, Mama Large is trying to get a few moments of quiet on her own, but her young children manage to ruin her every attempt. They climb into her bubble bath and then follow her back to the kitchen to see what she is up to. A critic for Publishers Weekly thought this book "is pure joy," and that "Murphy's frazzled mom will find a soft spot in every reader." M. Hobbs, writing in Junior Bookshelf, found this picture book "splendid," and Betsy Hearne, writing in Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, claimed that the book would "appeal to young listeners; adults will love every minute of it." Reviewing the book in School Librarian, Graham Nutbrown drew attention to Murphy's "delightful, detailed, whole-page illustrations."

The misadventures of the Large family continue in All in One Piece, in which Granny comes to baby-sit while Mr. and Mrs. Large go to the office party together. Again Mrs. Large has trouble getting any time on her own in this "endearing picture book," as Marcus Crouch dubbed it in Junior Bookshelf. Judith Sherman of Books for Keeps praised Murphy's "winning formula" of making picture books that are as interesting to kids as they are to parents, and a reviewer for Publishers Weekly added to the chorus of approval by concluding that "this continuing saga of the beleaguered Mrs. Large and her boisterous offspring is still a delight."

With A Piece of Cake, Mrs. Large decides she is a tad too elephantine and puts herself as well as the entire family on a draconian diet which is spoiled by the arrival of a tempting cake from Granny. "Murphy's drawings are both delicate and droll," declared a reviewer for Publishers Weekly, who also felt that the message of liking and accepting yourself as you are "will strike a universal chord in readers." A critic for Kirkus Reviews also appreciated the "winsome good humor" of this book, while Virginia E. Jeschelnig, writing in School Library Journal, concluded, "This book won't win the battle of the bulge, and readers may enjoy it all the more for that reason."

The Large family also make a 1994 appearance in A Quiet Night In, a book that finds Mrs. Large attempting to enjoy a quiet birthday for her husband at home with a romantic dinner. But once again, the children make things difficult, this time, however, quite innocently. They demand a reward for going to bed early, and the subsequent bedtime story leaves both parents exhausted, without dinner, and sleeping soundly on the sofa. Judy Constantinides, writing in School Library Journal, felt this tale was a "definite winner" and "not to be missed," while Booklist's Mary Harris Veeder lauded Murphy's artwork which has the "same affectionate feel for children's daily lives as her text." Jo Goodman, reviewing the title in Magpies, noted that again Murphy has created a book "both for children and a therapeutic laugh for parents." And a contributor for Publishers Weekly praised the artwork for its "droll particulars," adding that such illustrations are "an ideal match for [Murphy's] cleverly understated text."

Murphy has also tried her hand at stand-alone novels for juvenile readers. In Worlds Apart, she presents an "exercise in adolescent wish-fulfillment," according to a contributor for Publishers Weekly. Twelve-year-old Susan Hunter lives with her mother Petunia just outside of London with little material wealth but also with very few real problems. Susan has, however, always been curious about the identity of her father; her mother will not talk about him. Finally, however, one day she manages to get some information out of her mother only to discover that her father is the famous actor Lloyd Hunter, who only recently returned to the London stage after making it big on American television. Susan manages to get into his dressing room, make contact, and even effect a reconciliation between him and her mother. In the end, they all move into a big house together, and she even gets her own dog, finally. The reviewer for Publishers Weekly further noted that "this is more fairy tale than novel." Bill Boyle, writing in the School Librarian, observed, however, that "this is not nearly so contrived in the development of the story," calling the novel a "wellwritten, highly relevant tale." Booklist's Ilene Cooper similarly noted that the "happily-ever-after factor may be just the thing kids will like about the story."

Murphy's Geoffrey Strangeways features the tale of an eleven-year-old fatherless boy in a medieval world who longs to be a knight. The only problem with this dream is that he is a commoner and that means there is no chance for him in the realm of knights. But Jeffrey keeps on dreaming and finally gets his chance when he rescues a real knight-errant after trying to find work at Free Lance Rescue Services, Ltd. A contributor for Kirkus Reviews found this tale, published as Jeffrey Strangeways in the United States, to be "thoroughly British" but also "entirely accessible." The same reviewer praised the text and dubbed the work "a witty, wonderfully entertaining spoof/adventure." Julie Corsaro, writing in Booklist, thought the book would be "a natural read-aloud for primarygrade children," and School Library Journal reviewer Michael Cart also praised the "cheerful anachronisms" in this "lighthearted tale." Similarly, in a review of Geoffrey Strangeways, Margaret Banerjee of School Librarian called this tale of a would-be knight-errant "hilarious."

Murphy returns to the picture book format with two stories about Marlon, a crocodile-like little monster, in The Last Noo-Noo and All for One. In the first story, Marlon is still hooked on his noo-noo, his family's nickname for a pacifier. When his grandmother says it is time for him to get rid of these remnants of babyhood, his mother agrees and trashes all the noo-noos in the house. Or so she thinks. Marlon hides a stash of pacifiers and even plants one in the garden. Finally his monster friends talk Marlon into getting rid of his hidden noo-noos, but in the spring, a big surprise greets the family. Jill Bennett, reviewing this title in School Librarian, found it to be "a story which will have a monster appeal." A Publishers Weekly contributor noted that The Last Noo-Noo was "an appropriately lighthearted look at a situation that will hit close to home for many toddlers," while Booklist's Stephanie Zvirin lauded Murphy's "precise illustrations" as well as "the dialogue and situation [which] are straight out of real life."

In the 2002 title, All for One, Marlon returns in "a heartfelt and ultimately triumphant tale about being excluded," according to a critic for Kirkus Reviews. When Marlon gets bored playing all on his own, he attempts to join in the games of the neighborhood kids. However, every time he tries to become part of their play, they change the game, leaving Marlon out. Finally Marlon decides to make his own game at his swimming pool, and the tables are quickly turned. It is Marlon who is in charge now when they all come around. This second monster tale was also met with approval by critics. A contributor for Publishers Weekly dubbed it "a satisfying tale," while Booklist's Cooper felt "Murphy gets the sentiments just right."

Over the years, reviewers have noted how Murphy has repeatedly gotten childhood sentiments and feelings "just right." Perhaps this may be more surprising in that she did not have her own child until the mid-1990s. But for Murphy, childhood is a realm which she still keeps alive inside of her. And for her, writing and drawing is also as natural as walking, as she once related to CA. "I can't think of a more satisfying career and feel very fortunate that I am able to do it."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

BOOKS

Children's Literature Review, Volume 39, Gale (Detroit, MI), 1996.

St. James Guide to Children's Writers, 5th edition, St. James Press (Detroit, MI), 1999.

PERIODICALS

Booklist, May 1, 1984, Ilene Cooper, review of What Next, Baby Bear!, p. 1252; December 1, 1987, Barbara Elleman, review of All in One Piece, p. 636; February 1, 1989, Ilene Cooper, review of Worlds Apart, pp. 940-941; June 15, 1992, Julie Corsaro, review of Jeffrey Strangeways, p. 1840; May 1, 1994, Mary Harris Veeder, review of A Quiet Night In, p. 1609; November 1, 1995, Stephanie Zvirin, review of The Last Noo-Noo, p. 478; October 1, 2002, Ilene Cooper, review of All for One, p. 337.

Books for Keeps, September, 1989, Judith Sherman, review of All in One Piece, p. 11.

Books for Your Children, spring, 1981, Frances Ball, review of Peace at Last, p. 10; summer, 1986, Margaret Carter, "Jill Murphy," p. 12; summer, 1990, S. Williams, review of A Piece of Cake, p. 7.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, October, 1980, Zena Sutherland, review of The Worst Witch, p. 38; April, 1981, Zena Sutherland, review of Peace at Last, p. 157; January, 1987, Betsy Hearne, review of Five Minutes' Peace, p. 93; March, 1989, Zena Sutherland, review of Worlds Apart, p. 177; September, 1992, Kathryn Jennings, review of Jeffrey Strangeways, p. 20.

Growing Point, September, 1980, Margery Fisher, review of The Worst Witch Strikes Again, p. 3744; January, 1984, Margery Fisher, review of Whatever Next!, p. 4203.

Horn Book Guide, spring, 1999, Maeve Visser Knoth, review of A Piece of Cake, p. 38.

Junior Bookshelf, October, 1982, A. Thatcher, review of A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch, p. 192; October, 1982, p. 180; April, 1984, M. Hobbs, review of Whatever Next!, p. 62; December, 1986, M. Hobbs, review of Five Minutes' Peace, p. 220; February, 1988, Marcus Crouch, review of All in One Piece, p. 24; February, 1991, Marcus Crouch, review of Geoffrey Strangeways, p. 36; February, 1994, R. Baines, review of The Worst Witch at Sea, p. 25.

Kirkus Reviews, December 1, 1988, review of Worlds Apart, pp. 1742-1743; December 1, 1989, review of A Piece of Cake, p. 1751; May 15, 1992, review of Jeffrey Strangeways, p. 673; June 15, 2002, review of All for One, pp. 885-886.

Los Angeles Times Book Review, June 13, 1982, p. 8.

Magpies, July, 1994, Jo Goodman, review of A Quiet Night In, p. 26.

New Statesman, December 3, 1982, p. 22.

Newsweek, December 1, 1980, p. 103.

New Yorker, December 1, 1980, pp. 103-104, 220; December 1, 1986, p. 123.

New York Times, December 28, 1986, p. 20; December 3, 1987.

New York Times Book Review, December 30, 1984, p. 19; December 28, 1986, p. 20.

Observer, December 7, 1980, p. 31.

Publishers Weekly, June 13, 1980, review of The Worst Witch, p. 73; October 17, 1980, review of Peace at Last, p. 65; August 22, 1986, review of Five Minutes' Peace, p. 92; August 14, 1987, p. 101; August 14, 1987, review of All in One Piece, p. 101; December 9, 1988, review of Worlds Apart,p. 65; October 27, 1989, review of A Piece of Cake, p. 66; February 7, 1994, review of A Quiet Night In, pp. 86-87; October 9, 1995, review of The Last Noo-Noo, pp. 85-86; June 17, 2002, review of All for One, p. 67.

School Librarian, December, 1982, Rodie Sudbery, review of A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch, p. 343; February, 1987, Graham Nutbrown, review of Five Minutes' Peace, p. 36; February, 1989, Bill Boyle, review of Worlds Apart, p. 22; May, 1990, Angela Redfern, review of A Piece of Cake, p. 60; February, 1991, Margaret Banerjee, review of Geoffrey Strangeways, p. 24; February, 1996, Jill Bennett, review of The Last Noo-Noo, p. 16.

School Library Journal, September, 1980, Susan Cain, review of The Worst Witch and The Worst Witch Strikes Again, p. 62; December, 1980, Kristi L. Thomas, review of Peace at Last, p. 54; September, 1984, Judith Gloyer, review of What Next, Baby Bear!, pp. 107-108; January, 1988, p. 68; March, 1989, Trev Jones, review of Worlds Apart, p. 178; January, 1990, Virginia E. Jeschelnig, review of A Piece of Cake, pp. 86-87; May, 1992, Michael Cart, review of Jeffrey Strangeways, pp. 114, 116; May, 1994, Judy Constantinides, review of A Quiet Night In, pp. 100, 102; October, 1995, Elaine E. Knight, review of The Worst Witch at Sea, p. 138; January, 1996, Kathy Piehl, review of The Last Noo-Noo, p. 91.

Spectator, April 12, 1975, Leon Garfield, review of The Worst Witch, pp. 440-441.

Times (London, England), March 16, 1991.

Times Educational Supplement, December 19, 1980, Mary James, review of Peace at Last, p. 21; January 14, 1983, p. 34; January 13, 1984, Tessa Rose Chester, review of Whatever Next!, p. 44; November 2, 1984, p. 26; April 4, 1997, Victoria Neumark, review of Worlds Apart, p. 8.

Times Literary Supplement, November 21, 1980, p. 1328; March 27, 1981, Elaine Moss, review of Peace at Last, p. 342; September 17, 1982, p. 1003; November 20, 1987, Kate Flint, review of All in One Piece, p. 1284; June 9-15, 1989, Linda Taylor, review of Worlds Apart, p. 648.

Tribune Books (Chicago, IL), September 21, 1986, p. 9.

Village Voice Literary Supplement, December, 1989, p. 34.

Washington Post Book World, February 14, 1982, p. 12.

ONLINE

Young Writer,http://www.mystworld.com/youngwriter/ (March 25, 2003), "Issue 1: Jill Murphy."*