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The Worst Witch #4
The Worst Witch at Sea
Catch up on Mildred Hubble’s magical adventures at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches with these reissued editions featuring energetic new covers. Mildred’s beloved tabby cat has been deemed "unsuitable" for a witch, and is relegated to the kitchens to be a mouser. But when her class flies off on a school trip, Mildred concocts a plan to rescue Tabby — and bring him along in secret!
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1994
119 people are currently reading
1458 people want to read
About the author
Jill Murphy
88 books342 followersJill Murphy was a London-born English children's author, best known for The Worst Witch series and the Large Family picture books. She has been described as "one of the most engaging writers and illustrators for children in the land."
Jill Murphy was born in London and attended the Ursuline Convent in Wimbledon which, together with the boarding school stories she enjoyed reading, provided much of the material and inspiration Miss Cackle's Academy in the The Worst Witch, which she started when she was 15. She put the book on hold as she attended both Chelsea and Croydon Art Schools, but continued to write it whilst living in a village in Togo, West Africa for a year and then whilst working as a nanny back at home. The book was published when Jill turned 24 and proved an instant success. However, Jill continued working as a nanny until the publication of The Worst Witch Strikes Again prompted her to devote herself to full-time writing. The Worst Witch stories have become some of the most outstandingly successful titles on the Young Puffin paperback list and have sold more than 3 million copies. They were also made into a major ITV series. She was also well known for her picture books and was commended in the 1980 Kate Greenaway Medal for Peace at Last. A Quiet Night In was shortlisted for the same medal in 1994. She was perhaps best known for the very popular Mr and Mrs Large picture books, which detail the domestic chaos of an elephant family. Five Minute's Peace won the 1987 Parents Magazine Best Books for Babies Award, as well as being shortlisted for the 1986 Children's Book Award. All in One Piece was highly commended for the 1987 Kate Greenaway Award and shortlisted for the 1987 Children's Book Award. The Last Noo-noo won the 0-5 category of the 1995 Smarties Book Prize and in the same year was shortlisted for the English 4-11 Outstanding Children's Book of the Year, going on to win the 1996 Sheffield Children's Book Award. It won the 1996 Gateshead Gold Award. In the same year it was adapted as a play and performed at the Polka Theatre, London.
Jill Murphy was born in London and attended the Ursuline Convent in Wimbledon which, together with the boarding school stories she enjoyed reading, provided much of the material and inspiration Miss Cackle's Academy in the The Worst Witch, which she started when she was 15. She put the book on hold as she attended both Chelsea and Croydon Art Schools, but continued to write it whilst living in a village in Togo, West Africa for a year and then whilst working as a nanny back at home. The book was published when Jill turned 24 and proved an instant success. However, Jill continued working as a nanny until the publication of The Worst Witch Strikes Again prompted her to devote herself to full-time writing. The Worst Witch stories have become some of the most outstandingly successful titles on the Young Puffin paperback list and have sold more than 3 million copies. They were also made into a major ITV series. She was also well known for her picture books and was commended in the 1980 Kate Greenaway Medal for Peace at Last. A Quiet Night In was shortlisted for the same medal in 1994. She was perhaps best known for the very popular Mr and Mrs Large picture books, which detail the domestic chaos of an elephant family. Five Minute's Peace won the 1987 Parents Magazine Best Books for Babies Award, as well as being shortlisted for the 1986 Children's Book Award. All in One Piece was highly commended for the 1987 Kate Greenaway Award and shortlisted for the 1987 Children's Book Award. The Last Noo-noo won the 0-5 category of the 1995 Smarties Book Prize and in the same year was shortlisted for the English 4-11 Outstanding Children's Book of the Year, going on to win the 1996 Sheffield Children's Book Award. It won the 1996 Gateshead Gold Award. In the same year it was adapted as a play and performed at the Polka Theatre, London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
November 13, 2021
3.5 STARS Mildred's adventures continue to entertain, though I do find characters wearing a bit thin as the series progresses without much in the way of character growth. Still, I enjoyed the seaside setting (and, of course, this being England, we have some really gray and dreary "beach" days) and I was rooting hard for Mildred and Tabby to be reunited for keeps. I could have done without the references to Miss Cackle's weight, particularly the twitters when she appears in her bathing suit. This is the fourth book in the series and I do recommend reading it after the third book otherwise the plot of book three will be spoiled.
January 7, 2018
This was a trip back to the past for me. Loved reading the whole series when I was younger and love just the same now.
December 26, 2020
The fourth book in this series featuring witch-in-training Mildred Hubble, a most impetuous and clumsy girl, is not as good as the first book or the third, A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch. In the latter, Mildred rescues an enchanted frog; in this sequel, the rescued wizard Algernon Rowan-Webb treats Mildred and her entire class to a week by the seaside. For those familiar with English seaside holidays, you won’t be surprised to find the location grim and the weather dreadful. But, as you can imagine, Mildred manages to upset things before setting things right in the most surprising way. While not the best in the series, it was a cheery note in during coronavirus, exactly what I needed.
January 17, 2021
Okay I’m not about to pull my favourite childhood book series apart because that would shatter my heart. I am happy to say that I do still love these books even all these years later.
However, I need to point out how unhealthy Miss Hardbroom’s fixation on hating Mildred was. It bothered me as a kid and it still bothers me now. I’d get if it was solely Mildred’s POV because we’ve (possibly) all had at least one teacher we thought hated us at school, but it was from MISS HARDBROOMS POV, and she does hate her and I know it’s fiction but still!
Secondly, the fatphobia is rampant and I hate to see it.
I’m re reading these because the author brought out the last and final book of the series back in 2018- which is WILD, considering this series began in the 1970’s- but exciting, here’s hoping these issues are challenged as I continue!
December 12, 2015
The first one to feel like a whole book, rather than just an anecdote. Because of Mildred saving the Magician Rowan-Webb in the previous book, her class is all invited to stay in his castle by the sea. But there's not just cold, damp weather and nasty Ethel to deal with this time. Mildred's beloved Tabby is taken away, since he's not a proper witches' cat, and there's a mysterious lost treasure, too!
I am holding out hope that in the last book, Ethel gets her comeuppance. Also, Maud got in a real zinger this time, and I was very pleased.
I am holding out hope that in the last book, Ethel gets her comeuppance. Also, Maud got in a real zinger this time, and I was very pleased.
March 19, 2023
Not my favourite so far in the series, it was set up very well and it just felt like she forgot one of the subplots and then suddenly remembered and finish it. Except from that, it was double the usual number of pages, that is fine, but nothing more than the usual books happened, meaning the first half of the book was very uneventful. All in all, it was ok
October 16, 2023
I am having fun re-discovering this series and getting to the installments of it I didn't before, but... I mean, there were always aspects to it that were uncomfortable, but I feel that instead of getting resolved they are getting worse and worse?
1. The school seems to be constructed in a way as to be the most uncomfortable and cold as possible. Why? This is especially jarring when we get to see the headmistress sitting cozily by her fire. Talk about double standard!
2. Miss Hardbroom is very clearly an inspiration for Severus Snape and we see that clearer than before in this installment where we get to peek into her head and see how much Mildred annoys her and vexes her. And... I mean, I liked Miss Hardbroom before, I just find something appealing about a teacher that kind of horrifies her students, especially by making herself invisible so no-one knows where it's safe to know that she isn't listening on on their conversations. It's clearly something you shouldn't do as a teacher, but... you know, since it's fictional... I just thought it was pretty fun. But the deeper we get into the series the clearer it is how prejudiced Miss Hardbroom is against Mildred and that isn't fun at all. There are stern teachers and then there are abusive teachers who pick favourites, this is sadly the later.
3. The fatphobia... until now I kind of thought this series was doing okay by including characters with different body-types but as in this book everyone gets into their swim-suits this kind of turns to worse and there are some pretty mean remarks (especially where the head-mistress is concerned).
Overall, I was a bit fussy while listening to this and I got more annoyed than the book probably deserved, especially considering that most of this was already present in the previous books. But maybe it's also because the deeper we get into these books the more ridiculous some of the repeating motives get. I still love the witchiness and I will continue with the series, but ugh... I'm a little bit annoyed at this point! Let's see if these things get better once we get to the books that were published after 2000.
1. The school seems to be constructed in a way as to be the most uncomfortable and cold as possible. Why? This is especially jarring when we get to see the headmistress sitting cozily by her fire. Talk about double standard!
2. Miss Hardbroom is very clearly an inspiration for Severus Snape and we see that clearer than before in this installment where we get to peek into her head and see how much Mildred annoys her and vexes her. And... I mean, I liked Miss Hardbroom before, I just find something appealing about a teacher that kind of horrifies her students, especially by making herself invisible so no-one knows where it's safe to know that she isn't listening on on their conversations. It's clearly something you shouldn't do as a teacher, but... you know, since it's fictional... I just thought it was pretty fun. But the deeper we get into the series the clearer it is how prejudiced Miss Hardbroom is against Mildred and that isn't fun at all. There are stern teachers and then there are abusive teachers who pick favourites, this is sadly the later.
3. The fatphobia... until now I kind of thought this series was doing okay by including characters with different body-types but as in this book everyone gets into their swim-suits this kind of turns to worse and there are some pretty mean remarks (especially where the head-mistress is concerned).
Overall, I was a bit fussy while listening to this and I got more annoyed than the book probably deserved, especially considering that most of this was already present in the previous books. But maybe it's also because the deeper we get into these books the more ridiculous some of the repeating motives get. I still love the witchiness and I will continue with the series, but ugh... I'm a little bit annoyed at this point! Let's see if these things get better once we get to the books that were published after 2000.
August 30, 2020
I love these books about an accident prone but well meaning little witch girl at an English boarding school for witches that way pre-date Harry Potter. The school administration has decided that Mildred might become a more competent witch with a better magical cat to ride on her broomstick so they take away her beloved Tabby to the kitchens and give her a capable but cold kitty. But warm-hearted Mildred keeps sneaking off to visit Tabby despite strict orders against it. When the school goes on a sea vacation, thanks to a magician that Mildred had managed to save from his longtime imprisonment in the form of a frog, Mildred decides to bring Tabby along secretly and hide her in a cave. More magical misadventures are sure to follow...but could they have a happy ending?
January 1, 2020
This definitely felt like a proper book compared to the others which is probably due to its length which is petty much double what the previous ones were!
Mildred does have such a good heart doesn’t she beneath all her antics; she really cares about people and just wants to do the best she can for them!
Looking forward to reading about the rest of her adventures!
Mildred does have such a good heart doesn’t she beneath all her antics; she really cares about people and just wants to do the best she can for them!
Looking forward to reading about the rest of her adventures!
April 19, 2022
The same old shenanigans with Mildred Hubble but the shift in setting helps to keep it fresh and new. Still enjoying these! The adventure slipped by and I was surprised to see I was finished.
I really hope Ethel gets what is coming to her by the end of the series however. She really is very good at putting Mildred down and it's sad to see.
I really hope Ethel gets what is coming to her by the end of the series however. She really is very good at putting Mildred down and it's sad to see.
July 8, 2018
Review to come :)
August 9, 2018
Just as good as the others, but twice as long (which is a good thing!). These books are so cute!
July 1, 2020
A really fun book and love how tabby is apparently useless 😂
December 29, 2021
Cute book about the famous worst witch, Mildred. Didn’t realise this was volume 4 but to be honest it did matter that I hadn’t read volume 2 and 3 it was pretty clear on its own. 4/5
April 28, 2022
Longest of the series so far. Still a cute story and characters with good pace.
November 15, 2025
My favorite in the series so far.
December 9, 2020
Mildred is still adorable as always. I enjoyed this one. Too bad it wasn't one of the TV episodes. (at least not one I have seen).
January 23, 2022
Always a fun read with my girls. Read with my youngest. This was her favorite so far out of series.
December 31, 2025
This was our favourite so far! The bond between Mildred and her kitty is so precious.
August 12, 2024
Using a magic broom to water ski is so iconic
October 7, 2020
A nice little book that really pushes the series forward by taking it to a new setting. I love how this continues the continuity of the previous book (even though they were written eight years apart) and also expands the mythos of 'The Worst Witch' world.
May 3, 2013
Mildred is back again, this time with water!
It seems these books run one term per book, their school has two terms per year and this is the fourth book, so she is in the second term of her second year.
The book starts off rather badly for Milly, as they always do, as she is forced to replace her lovely, though hopeless cat, Tabby, with a more professional and elegant cat, Ebony. She is beside herself, but there may be hope. The wizard she helped in the last book, Algernon Rowan-Webb, has invited all of the second year to stay at his coastal castle for a little holiday and Milly has an idea to break Tabby out of his life of mouse catching.
This is definitely the best so far of the series. It's nearly twice as long as the first two, which helps give a more substantial plot, though it's still very short. It is nicely illustrated, more frequently than before perhaps, I like the faces, the expressions shine a light on the story. Being outside the school for the majority of the book also helps bring a bit of life to affairs.
It's a nice little series, if a tad simplistic.
It seems these books run one term per book, their school has two terms per year and this is the fourth book, so she is in the second term of her second year.
The book starts off rather badly for Milly, as they always do, as she is forced to replace her lovely, though hopeless cat, Tabby, with a more professional and elegant cat, Ebony. She is beside herself, but there may be hope. The wizard she helped in the last book, Algernon Rowan-Webb, has invited all of the second year to stay at his coastal castle for a little holiday and Milly has an idea to break Tabby out of his life of mouse catching.
This is definitely the best so far of the series. It's nearly twice as long as the first two, which helps give a more substantial plot, though it's still very short. It is nicely illustrated, more frequently than before perhaps, I like the faces, the expressions shine a light on the story. Being outside the school for the majority of the book also helps bring a bit of life to affairs.
It's a nice little series, if a tad simplistic.
January 18, 2021
.
همه میدونیم جاروسواری در قصههای پریان همیشه مخصوص ساحرهها بوده و در این مجموعه جیل مورفی به درستی از این حقیقت استفاده برده و در تصویرسازیهاش هم ساحرههای مدرسهی دخترانهش رو یکوری روی جارو کشیده. یعنی به همون شیوهای که در گذشته بانوان در انگلستان اسبسواری میکردن.
نکتهی خندهدار در کپیبرداری رولینگ از این مجموعه اینه که جارو رو از وسایل ورزش و حمل و نقل یه مدرسهی مختلط قرار داده و از این رهگذر مردهای جادوگر داستان هری پاتر هم به اجبار جاروسوار از آب در اومدن. برای همین هم مشکل نشستنشون روی جارو در عمل باید با گذاشتن زین(که یه عنصر زائده) روی دستهی جارو حل میشده چون یکوری نشستن رو اسب مخصوص خانمهاست. :))
همه میدونیم جاروسواری در قصههای پریان همیشه مخصوص ساحرهها بوده و در این مجموعه جیل مورفی به درستی از این حقیقت استفاده برده و در تصویرسازیهاش هم ساحرههای مدرسهی دخترانهش رو یکوری روی جارو کشیده. یعنی به همون شیوهای که در گذشته بانوان در انگلستان اسبسواری میکردن.
نکتهی خندهدار در کپیبرداری رولینگ از این مجموعه اینه که جارو رو از وسایل ورزش و حمل و نقل یه مدرسهی مختلط قرار داده و از این رهگذر مردهای جادوگر داستان هری پاتر هم به اجبار جاروسوار از آب در اومدن. برای همین هم مشکل نشستنشون روی جارو در عمل باید با گذاشتن زین(که یه عنصر زائده) روی دستهی جارو حل میشده چون یکوری نشستن رو اسب مخصوص خانمهاست. :))
February 13, 2016
Not the best book in the series, I was actually quite bored throughout the book.
It was just all the same. Ethel hating Mildred, being mean to her at every opportunity. Miss Hardbroom who doesn't have any faith left in Mildred and just hopes she will fail. And then Mildred, she saves the day again...
I will finish this series, but I am not going to buy them, like I was planning to.
There were also enough fun things. Mildred and her class getting asked to come visit and stay at the castle of the wizard she saved in the previous book. Swimming, water-skiing with brooms (awesome!), smuggling a little Tabby with her and of course treasure.
It was just all the same. Ethel hating Mildred, being mean to her at every opportunity. Miss Hardbroom who doesn't have any faith left in Mildred and just hopes she will fail. And then Mildred, she saves the day again...
I will finish this series, but I am not going to buy them, like I was planning to.
There were also enough fun things. Mildred and her class getting asked to come visit and stay at the castle of the wizard she saved in the previous book. Swimming, water-skiing with brooms (awesome!), smuggling a little Tabby with her and of course treasure.
January 22, 2018
Una nueva adventure espera a Mildred. Regresando a la escuela para el semestre de verano, Mildred recibe una mala noticia que está relacionada con Tabby.
Pero un rayo de alegría aparece cuando el mago Rowan-Webb invita a las niñas a su casa cerca del mar como agradecimiento a Mildred.
Mildred decide arriesgarse y llevar a Tabby con ella, pero solo verá en su futuro complicaciones por haberlo llevado.
Una serie de aventuras aguardan con esas pequeñas vacaciones en la escuela, un tesoro escondido y un accidente que sufre Miss HB.
Una buena historia como continuación de las aventuras de esta bruja que siempre termina en líos con finales felices.
Pero un rayo de alegría aparece cuando el mago Rowan-Webb invita a las niñas a su casa cerca del mar como agradecimiento a Mildred.
Mildred decide arriesgarse y llevar a Tabby con ella, pero solo verá en su futuro complicaciones por haberlo llevado.
Una serie de aventuras aguardan con esas pequeñas vacaciones en la escuela, un tesoro escondido y un accidente que sufre Miss HB.
Una buena historia como continuación de las aventuras de esta bruja que siempre termina en líos con finales felices.
May 31, 2009
This has to be my favorite of The Worst Witch books thus far! It was really enjoyable. It was so sad when Mildred and Tabby were parted! This book totally showed how compassionate Mildred could be. Also, her intelligence very much showed through in this book. Also, I LOVED the wizard in this one! I'm excited to start the next book, although I am kind of sad it'll mean I'm done with the series. I only have the first and the last book at present, so I officially need to buy the other three :D
December 17, 2015
So the former frog, Magician Rowan-Webb, invites Mil’s second class to his castles by the see for a week of holidays, but not everything is good as Tabby as to be secretly recued and smuggled. We can see some improvement in Mil’s skills but of course there’s always Ethel to eclipse any effort and complicate things. A lovely history, about cross species bod and friendship, I loved that the book is bigger than the previous ones.
March 19, 2025
3.5⭐️. THANK GOD, finally the plot exists. this is the best book in the series so far, everything the others had and didn't have was here. I'm so grateful that it's just a bit longer, because that allows the plot to be more complex and different than what had been happening. very interesting and fun read.
August 30, 2012
Change of scenery for a while, that was a nice surprise. I love the fact that Mildred loves her cat so much that she just can't be apart from him and takes him along. I so can relate to her, it also pains me when I have to leave my cat at home when on holidays.
October 6, 2012
Finally completed the collection of Worst Witch books, and although the kiddies love them, I found them very slow going with not much of a climatic ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews