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The Worst Witch #1
The Worst Witch
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.
107 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1974
About the author
Jill Murphy
84 books350 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 1,168 reviews
October 15, 2025
When Mildred Hubble receives her familiar, she’s the only one not to get a black cat. This is just another reminder that she is the worst witch to ever attend Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. Though she doesn’t let that stop her from trying to become the best witch she can be. When Mildred’s bully Ethel taunts her by saying she couldn’t even turn Ethel into a frog if she wanted to, Mildred ends up turning her into a pig. And Mildred doesn’t know how to reverse the spell.
Before Harry Potter, there was The Worst Witch. I loved the TV series growing up, so this was a blast. While I didn’t remember the plot, I was positively surprised to see that I still remembered most of the characters. Which just shows how well-crafted and memorable these characters are, as I usually have the memory of a sieve. The plot also isn’t the core of this book. This book is more like a collection of funny and charming little short stories that take place at the Academy for Witches over the course of a school year.
It’s definitely quite short and episodic, but it’s also a very easy and fun light read. I think my rating should reflect my personal enjoyment. And I really enjoyed reading this one.
Before Harry Potter, there was The Worst Witch. I loved the TV series growing up, so this was a blast. While I didn’t remember the plot, I was positively surprised to see that I still remembered most of the characters. Which just shows how well-crafted and memorable these characters are, as I usually have the memory of a sieve. The plot also isn’t the core of this book. This book is more like a collection of funny and charming little short stories that take place at the Academy for Witches over the course of a school year.
It’s definitely quite short and episodic, but it’s also a very easy and fun light read. I think my rating should reflect my personal enjoyment. And I really enjoyed reading this one.
October 18, 2010
Although I personally have found Jill Murphy's 1974 The Worst Witch a bit too much like the outline of a novel, with not nearly enough descriptiveness and presented details (as well as an ending that feels rather rushed and even a bit of a deus ex machina that leaves me as an older adult reader a bit annoyed and unsatisfied), I also do in fact and indeed much admire the author for having introduced and having featured as main protagonist Mildred Hubble, a young witch in training at Miss Cackle's Academcy, who is always getting her spells wrong, has trouble staying balanced on her broomstick and faces constant criticism and bullying not only from her fellow witch trainees but often also from some if not many of her teachers (for Mildred Hubble as a literary character in a school-based children's story is seemingly one of the first, one of the earliest instances where a character who is probably afflicted with and by clumsiness producing dyspraxia or non verbal learning disability is portrayed, is actually shown to be the protagonist, the main hero/heroine of a novel, and not just a secondary character looking, peering in on the periphery).
Now in many ways, Murphy's Mildred Hubble really does rather remind me of a female version of J.K. Rowling's Neville Longbottom. However, and this is a heavy duty however, for those of you (thankfully not many, but this has unfortunately happened in a select few online reviews I have read) who seek to claim that Jill Murphy has somehow plagiarised her The Worst Witch series from Rowling's Harry Potter series, well, UNLESS Murphy was able to perform a Hermione Grainger like trick of travelling forward in time, the latter is patently and utterly impossible, seeing that The Worst Witch was published in 1974 and the novels about Harry Potter only started being published in the 1990s. Yes, in many ways, both the format and many of the themes of the two series appear to be linked and a bit similar in scope, but they are still independent entities, independent novels in and of themselves (and of course, while J.K. Rowling might also and indeed have been influenced by Jill Murphy's The Worst Witch and its sequels, and had perhaps and even likely read these books as a child, I also in NO way even remotely consider her Harry Potter series as being too close, too similar to the former, except that both series happen to be modern British school story variants and take place in magic and witchery academies).
Now while I must admit that as an adult reader (and as an older adult reader who has perused much classical literature for both pleasure and academics) Jill Murphy's The Worst Witch has generally and a bit frustratingly felt a bit lacking in details and description, and also often seems narratively and textually choppy and unfinished, I do still very much realise that for reluctant and recently independent younger readers who are not yet quite ready for the more intricately depicted and yes, also considerably darker and ominous worlds of Harry Potter, his friends and enemies, Mildred Hubble, Miss Cackle et al provide a suitable, engagingly entertaining and above all easily read, digested and understood romp and subsequent preparation for more involved and potentially increasingly dystopian fantasy novel models (two and a half stars, rounded up to a solid three stars, as I do enjoy and have appreciated young Mildred Hubble as a literary character, primarily due to the fact that she reminds me so much of myself at her age, and the troubles I experienced at school, not a witch academy of course, but simply Middle School, where being clumsy, being different, putting one's foot into one's mouth, having social connection issues all played a painful and annoyingly important role).
Now in many ways, Murphy's Mildred Hubble really does rather remind me of a female version of J.K. Rowling's Neville Longbottom. However, and this is a heavy duty however, for those of you (thankfully not many, but this has unfortunately happened in a select few online reviews I have read) who seek to claim that Jill Murphy has somehow plagiarised her The Worst Witch series from Rowling's Harry Potter series, well, UNLESS Murphy was able to perform a Hermione Grainger like trick of travelling forward in time, the latter is patently and utterly impossible, seeing that The Worst Witch was published in 1974 and the novels about Harry Potter only started being published in the 1990s. Yes, in many ways, both the format and many of the themes of the two series appear to be linked and a bit similar in scope, but they are still independent entities, independent novels in and of themselves (and of course, while J.K. Rowling might also and indeed have been influenced by Jill Murphy's The Worst Witch and its sequels, and had perhaps and even likely read these books as a child, I also in NO way even remotely consider her Harry Potter series as being too close, too similar to the former, except that both series happen to be modern British school story variants and take place in magic and witchery academies).
Now while I must admit that as an adult reader (and as an older adult reader who has perused much classical literature for both pleasure and academics) Jill Murphy's The Worst Witch has generally and a bit frustratingly felt a bit lacking in details and description, and also often seems narratively and textually choppy and unfinished, I do still very much realise that for reluctant and recently independent younger readers who are not yet quite ready for the more intricately depicted and yes, also considerably darker and ominous worlds of Harry Potter, his friends and enemies, Mildred Hubble, Miss Cackle et al provide a suitable, engagingly entertaining and above all easily read, digested and understood romp and subsequent preparation for more involved and potentially increasingly dystopian fantasy novel models (two and a half stars, rounded up to a solid three stars, as I do enjoy and have appreciated young Mildred Hubble as a literary character, primarily due to the fact that she reminds me so much of myself at her age, and the troubles I experienced at school, not a witch academy of course, but simply Middle School, where being clumsy, being different, putting one's foot into one's mouth, having social connection issues all played a painful and annoyingly important role).
September 15, 2019
Watching ‘The Worst Witch’ on TV (1998-2001) after school with my little sister was one of my favourite things to do as a kid, so when I saw this was on sale nostalgia had me purchasing it.
Overall the story was cute, perfect for young kids not yet ready for Harry Potter, but honestly, I wasn’t captivated by the story (and I really wanted to be). It’s a nice easy read, but for me the author cultivated was a tad too simplistic in its depiction and the writing didn’t weave an intricate spell over me. I’m going to keep it on my kindle to read to my very young cousins but won’t be re-reading it for pleasure myself.
My favourite part of the book has to be the illustrations – they were charming and had me potently visualising the characters – the key reason why I have given this book 3 stars rather than 2.5 stars.
99p on Amazon 14th September 2019
Overall the story was cute, perfect for young kids not yet ready for Harry Potter, but honestly, I wasn’t captivated by the story (and I really wanted to be). It’s a nice easy read, but for me the author cultivated was a tad too simplistic in its depiction and the writing didn’t weave an intricate spell over me. I’m going to keep it on my kindle to read to my very young cousins but won’t be re-reading it for pleasure myself.
My favourite part of the book has to be the illustrations – they were charming and had me potently visualising the characters – the key reason why I have given this book 3 stars rather than 2.5 stars.
99p on Amazon 14th September 2019
October 6, 2015
This is a classic children’s book and this sumptuous, colour, hardback edition only makes it more special. Of course, the book features our heroine Mildred Hubble at Miss Cackle’s Academy – high up at the top of a mountain. Mildred really wants to be a great witch, but instead she is unsuccessful at her spells and is always in trouble. In many ways, this is a typical school story, just with a more unusual setting. There is Ethel, the teacher’s pet, Mildred’s friends Maud and Enid, lots of fun spells and a Halloween festival in which Midred and her classmates have to put on a broomstick display, with predictably disastrous consequences…
This version of the book is larger than usual, with full colour illustrations. The book itself is not particularly long (about 112 pages) and has short chapters and lots of fun illustrations. The first in a series, this is a beautiful gift version and is perfect for any child’s bookshelf either to read alone (depending on reading age, once children are confident with chapter books) or to share alone as a perfect Halloween read.
This version of the book is larger than usual, with full colour illustrations. The book itself is not particularly long (about 112 pages) and has short chapters and lots of fun illustrations. The first in a series, this is a beautiful gift version and is perfect for any child’s bookshelf either to read alone (depending on reading age, once children are confident with chapter books) or to share alone as a perfect Halloween read.
December 5, 2009
Oh too bad. I just realized I forgot to read this with an English accent. It would have been ever so much fun.
This book would have received 5 stars from my 7 & 8 & possibly 9 year old self. I would have also really, really enjoyed it if it had been read to me when I was 5 and 6, helping to read it of course.
The story is funny and sweet. It’s about a witch in her first year of boarding school for witches. The plot is predictable but I had no problem with that. Mildred is a clumsy student who seems to be in constant trouble, but of course there’s a very happy ending.
I thought the illustrations were lovely and fun. My favorite illustration is on page 73 of this edition and shows Mildred snuggling in bed with her very adorable cat, and there are other details in the picture too, but I enjoyed most of the illustrations.
I had to purchase this paperback copy. I’d love to read the rest of this series but only if I can find a way to borrow them. My libraries did not have this first one, but now I’ll be checking for the other books in the series. My thanks go to the Goodreads group A Thrilling Term at Goodreads: The Girls’ School-Story group; I found this book on their bookshelves. It was a delight to read.
This book would have received 5 stars from my 7 & 8 & possibly 9 year old self. I would have also really, really enjoyed it if it had been read to me when I was 5 and 6, helping to read it of course.
The story is funny and sweet. It’s about a witch in her first year of boarding school for witches. The plot is predictable but I had no problem with that. Mildred is a clumsy student who seems to be in constant trouble, but of course there’s a very happy ending.
I thought the illustrations were lovely and fun. My favorite illustration is on page 73 of this edition and shows Mildred snuggling in bed with her very adorable cat, and there are other details in the picture too, but I enjoyed most of the illustrations.
I had to purchase this paperback copy. I’d love to read the rest of this series but only if I can find a way to borrow them. My libraries did not have this first one, but now I’ll be checking for the other books in the series. My thanks go to the Goodreads group A Thrilling Term at Goodreads: The Girls’ School-Story group; I found this book on their bookshelves. It was a delight to read.
August 26, 2018
I'll only say this once: JK Rowling ripped off Worst Witch. Magical academy with main character from non-magical world raising chaos in the school, stern Potions professor, mean blonde ninny, odd headmistress, color-coded houses, and general atmosphere. Why haven't I heard this before? Mrs. Cackle is a static character who wishes she had an eighth of Dumbledore's charm. Dumbledore > Cackle
The Worst Witch is a sweet delightful children's series from the 70's where delightful and artistic British girl Mildred Hubble finds herself at a magical academy for witches. She knows nothing about being a witch and is trying to find her life around Miss Cackle's Academy with the help of her new friends Maud Spellbody & Enid Nightshade.
I've seen half of the first season on Netflix and I could not handle how adorable and wonderful this show was to watch. I hadn't realized I needed a sweet, girl-power, witchy academy in my life. I wish the books were longer and the writing wasn't as choppy but I loved it. Major kudos to the casting director of the Netflix shows because the characters look exactly like illustrations in the book. Way to go.
Character Shoutout
Hecate Hardbroom is the deputy headmistress at Mrs. Cackle and she's essentially half Filch/ half Snape. She is supposed to be quite strict and is always catching Mildred in trouble. You're not quite supposed to like her, but the actress in the show is so clever and dryly funny. She's quietly hilarious and that even comes across well in the books. She is strict because she cares about the school and she even has a kind word for Mildred when she saves the day. Headbroom is the real MVP.
Worst Witch was a wonderful surprise for me in August and I can't wait to read the rest of the series if it has the tie-in covers. The show is wonderful and I'm looking forward to all the mischief Millie will inevitably be responsible. Perhaps she may even meet the Boy Who Lived!
The Worst Witch is a sweet delightful children's series from the 70's where delightful and artistic British girl Mildred Hubble finds herself at a magical academy for witches. She knows nothing about being a witch and is trying to find her life around Miss Cackle's Academy with the help of her new friends Maud Spellbody & Enid Nightshade.
I've seen half of the first season on Netflix and I could not handle how adorable and wonderful this show was to watch. I hadn't realized I needed a sweet, girl-power, witchy academy in my life. I wish the books were longer and the writing wasn't as choppy but I loved it. Major kudos to the casting director of the Netflix shows because the characters look exactly like illustrations in the book. Way to go.
Character Shoutout
Hecate Hardbroom is the deputy headmistress at Mrs. Cackle and she's essentially half Filch/ half Snape. She is supposed to be quite strict and is always catching Mildred in trouble. You're not quite supposed to like her, but the actress in the show is so clever and dryly funny. She's quietly hilarious and that even comes across well in the books. She is strict because she cares about the school and she even has a kind word for Mildred when she saves the day. Headbroom is the real MVP.
Worst Witch was a wonderful surprise for me in August and I can't wait to read the rest of the series if it has the tie-in covers. The show is wonderful and I'm looking forward to all the mischief Millie will inevitably be responsible. Perhaps she may even meet the Boy Who Lived!
February 13, 2016
Listened to on audiobook via Listening Books!
Listening Books is a UK based charity, offering an audiobook service to listeners in the UK with a long-term illness, disability or mental health issues.
The Worst Witch is one of my childhood favourites. It follows a girl given the title of the worst witch in the school by the headmistress Miss Cackle. Mildred Hubble is in the first year and always ending up with the wrong potions or falling off her broomstick. After landing in severe trouble during a performance, she decides to run away and accidentally stumbles onto an evil plan to destroy the school. The story is fast-paced and lots of fun. The audiobook was clearly narrated, with lots of humorous moments.
Listening Books is a UK based charity, offering an audiobook service to listeners in the UK with a long-term illness, disability or mental health issues.
The Worst Witch is one of my childhood favourites. It follows a girl given the title of the worst witch in the school by the headmistress Miss Cackle. Mildred Hubble is in the first year and always ending up with the wrong potions or falling off her broomstick. After landing in severe trouble during a performance, she decides to run away and accidentally stumbles onto an evil plan to destroy the school. The story is fast-paced and lots of fun. The audiobook was clearly narrated, with lots of humorous moments.
October 26, 2020
Clásico infantil lleno de los tropos típicos de los mismos (Se publicó originariamente en los años 70) pero que me ha hecho pasar un rato agradable y simpático
Para mi ha sido una lectura confort a tope, nos relata las experiencias de Mildred, la peor bruja de la Academia de brujas de Miss Cackle. Aunque es una niña alegre y despierta, con facilidad para hacer amistades, es una bruja muy torpe que no puede evitar meterse en mil y un problemas.
En fin, es una historia muy sencillita, de tan solo 80 páginas repletas de ilustraciones (maravillosas, por cierto, que realizó la propia autora), perfecta para niños de 6 o 7 años creo yo, pero también para cualquiera que sepa disfrutar de historias pequeñas pero enternecedoras.
Me encantó que la escuela fuera un castillo con sus torreones, y sí, encontré muchas similitudes en cuanto ideas con la posterior obra de Rowling, aunque lógicamente las historias en sí no tienen mucho que ver.
Es una saga de 8 libros, puedes quedarte con este o seguir, yo si puedo seguiré haciéndome con la saga, es el típico libro que me encantaría poder leer con mi sobrina cuando sea un poquito más mayor :)
Para mi ha sido una lectura confort a tope, nos relata las experiencias de Mildred, la peor bruja de la Academia de brujas de Miss Cackle. Aunque es una niña alegre y despierta, con facilidad para hacer amistades, es una bruja muy torpe que no puede evitar meterse en mil y un problemas.
En fin, es una historia muy sencillita, de tan solo 80 páginas repletas de ilustraciones (maravillosas, por cierto, que realizó la propia autora), perfecta para niños de 6 o 7 años creo yo, pero también para cualquiera que sepa disfrutar de historias pequeñas pero enternecedoras.
Me encantó que la escuela fuera un castillo con sus torreones, y sí, encontré muchas similitudes en cuanto ideas con la posterior obra de Rowling, aunque lógicamente las historias en sí no tienen mucho que ver.
Es una saga de 8 libros, puedes quedarte con este o seguir, yo si puedo seguiré haciéndome con la saga, es el típico libro que me encantaría poder leer con mi sobrina cuando sea un poquito más mayor :)
June 6, 2012
For those like myself who went to primary school in the 1990s, The Worst Witch books were probably the closest thing we ever got to Harry Potter. Not that we should feel deprived in any way, as The Worst Witch books were and still are enjoyable reads.
The Worst Witch is the first book in the series and details the troubles of Mildred Hubble, a pupil at Cackle's Academy and one who always seems to encounter misfortune, but somehow manages to save the day and in the process save herself, not just from a bully names Ethel, but also the likes of the ever uncompromising Miss Hardbroom. Children in Key Stage 2 can relate to many of the events since it is set in a school and bring with it the many events that accompany school life such as friendships, bullying and encounters with teachers. Once you read this book, you definitely want to read the others in the series. For me it was a book that I used to read just before falling asleep and I suspect that is what many children still to today - and with good reason.
The Worst Witch is the first book in the series and details the troubles of Mildred Hubble, a pupil at Cackle's Academy and one who always seems to encounter misfortune, but somehow manages to save the day and in the process save herself, not just from a bully names Ethel, but also the likes of the ever uncompromising Miss Hardbroom. Children in Key Stage 2 can relate to many of the events since it is set in a school and bring with it the many events that accompany school life such as friendships, bullying and encounters with teachers. Once you read this book, you definitely want to read the others in the series. For me it was a book that I used to read just before falling asleep and I suspect that is what many children still to today - and with good reason.
December 21, 2009
UPDATE October 2021: My eight-year-old and I enjoyed this as part of our witchy novels reads leading up to Halloween. Since first reading it over a decade ago, I've read many more early chapter books of the sort and my appreciation for this one has grown. I found myself enjoying the characters much more this time around and felt the plot and pacing were spot-on for this age group. I've bumped it up to four stars and definitely recommend it for children not quite ready for Harry Potter, yet who would enjoy a book featuring young witches and a magical boarding school.
REVIEW October 2010: This is a charming little story, perfect for children just embarking on chapter books. The chapters are all short (each can be read in about five to seven minutes) and while some of the vocabulary is a bit advanced (I wouldn't call this a beginning/easy reader), it's perfect for read-aloud (especially if you can muster a British accent, haha!)
In this first book in the "Worst Witch" series, Mildred Hubble is in her first term at Miss Cackle's Academy. It's a bit like a (simplified and all-girls) Hogwarts with the various houses, flying lessons on the broomstick, potions classes, etc. Oh, and every young witch gets a cat--poor Mildred gets the only non-black one, an adorable tabby cat whom she loves no matter what. (I think the cat was my favorite part of the book. The illustrations are just so darn cute!) Mildred gets into various scrapes as she isn't exactly Hermione Granger when it comes to success in her lessons or staying out of trouble. But, she means well and it's especially unfair when the ostensibly goody-goody (but deep-down meanie) Ethel casts a spell on Mildred and makes her take the blame when things go wrong. But, Mildred interrupts a wicked plot brewing and has a chance to save the school--and her reputation!
Although I think the story is cute and is definitely great for kids who might be interested in Harry Potter but aren't quite ready for that level of book yet, I personally wasn't too captivated by it. Maybe because it did remind me a lot of Harry Potter, which I much preferred. Mildred's story wasn't really that surprising/interesting to me. I would chalk this up to being an early chapter book, but I have read some "I Can Read" or "Step into Reading" books that are much shorter/"simpler" and touched me more emotionally. That said, this was a very pleasant and quick read (perfect for a cozy, "good witch" Halloween read) and I absolutely adored the illustrations :-)
REVIEW October 2010: This is a charming little story, perfect for children just embarking on chapter books. The chapters are all short (each can be read in about five to seven minutes) and while some of the vocabulary is a bit advanced (I wouldn't call this a beginning/easy reader), it's perfect for read-aloud (especially if you can muster a British accent, haha!)
In this first book in the "Worst Witch" series, Mildred Hubble is in her first term at Miss Cackle's Academy. It's a bit like a (simplified and all-girls) Hogwarts with the various houses, flying lessons on the broomstick, potions classes, etc. Oh, and every young witch gets a cat--poor Mildred gets the only non-black one, an adorable tabby cat whom she loves no matter what. (I think the cat was my favorite part of the book. The illustrations are just so darn cute!) Mildred gets into various scrapes as she isn't exactly Hermione Granger when it comes to success in her lessons or staying out of trouble. But, she means well and it's especially unfair when the ostensibly goody-goody (but deep-down meanie) Ethel casts a spell on Mildred and makes her take the blame when things go wrong. But, Mildred interrupts a wicked plot brewing and has a chance to save the school--and her reputation!
Although I think the story is cute and is definitely great for kids who might be interested in Harry Potter but aren't quite ready for that level of book yet, I personally wasn't too captivated by it. Maybe because it did remind me a lot of Harry Potter, which I much preferred. Mildred's story wasn't really that surprising/interesting to me. I would chalk this up to being an early chapter book, but I have read some "I Can Read" or "Step into Reading" books that are much shorter/"simpler" and touched me more emotionally. That said, this was a very pleasant and quick read (perfect for a cozy, "good witch" Halloween read) and I absolutely adored the illustrations :-)
July 12, 2021
Could anything be better than author/illustrator Jill Murphy’s picture books about the lovable Large family? A 40th anniversary reissue of ‘The Worst Witch’ with her own illustrations comes pretty damn close!
Although I can’t quite warm to Mildred in the same way as her elephantine cousins, my love of all things witchy makes this a highly captivating and comforting bedtime read. And the illustrations are a delight.
Although I can’t quite warm to Mildred in the same way as her elephantine cousins, my love of all things witchy makes this a highly captivating and comforting bedtime read. And the illustrations are a delight.
October 11, 2016
"Beat on it, Delilah!"
I'm glad I finally read the book, but I think the movie was better. Perhaps I'm biased. I've seen it a million times in the past 30... 30? Damn... Yeah, 30 years. Anyway, I still watch it every Halloween because there is just too much awesomeness in it to let a year go by without at least one viewing. Back when I had a VHS copy we recorded off HBO, it was prefaced with the best opening in the history of television. (Don't argue with me here; you won't win. I slam dance to this shit.)
Sadly, the awesomeness that makes the movie was missing in the book. Don't get me wrong, the book was fine, but there's no terror tag; no Donna with a broom phone; no Aggie and Delilah getting bumped into the lintel at the beginning complete with a penny whistle sound effect (in fact, there's no Delilah at all, technically); no hysterics from the laughing potion; no "Good morning Miss Hardbroom, LOVELY morning" from Charlotte Rae; no ketchup scene (which is admittedly really stupid... just like everything else in the movie, but it's awesomely stupid, I tell ya!) And most importantly, the Grand Wizard is an old man, and not the dreamboat played by Tim Curry that sets all the girls' quims a-quiver in the film.
Seriously, all the old dude in the book says at one point is "Let us all begin the chanting." There's no song. I repeat, THERE'S NO SONG!... Don't tell me you don't know the song! RUBES! Here: The greatest musical number in the history of ever.
Let that settle in.
Sadly Tim Curry wouldn't find work for two years after he made this, and you can tell by his facial expression at the 15 second mark that even he knows this is probably going to run his career headfirst into the tenth level of hell. Or maybe he needed two years to hide and recuperate. Regardless, I'm glad he gave this to the world, for it sorely needed it. We were reeling from the loss of the Challenger, the Chernobyl meltdown, the Iran Contra affair, Hands across America, and the launch of the Oprah Winfrey show. Tim Curry made it all better, and it was all possible due to this book. That alone should earn the book five stars, but historical significance cannot carry the whole enchilada, and I'm going to stick with three.
One can learn several life lessons from this. For example: bad witches who have no regard for the Witch's Code will suddenly adhere to it if you ask them and they agree to it. I've been saying for years that we as a society need to trust these hags; they're good, decent, law-abiding citizens if only you know how to talk to them... And if you buy that, then this must've happened to you. (Yeah, I know that's from a different movie, but where else am I going to get a chance to put it on here?) No, I don't slam dance to this; the beat's all wrong. I just jam here.
I wasn't all that impressed with the writing style as it seemed a bit... amateurish? But then I found out in the afterword that Jill Murphy was only 18 when she wrote it, and I think this is fantastic for one so young. It's certainly better than anything I could do when I was 18. I think this is a great chapter book for kids just getting into them. It's cute, and it gets my recommendation.
And so does the movie. Just do yourself a favor and watch it. It's so classy you can see the whole thing on YouTube! Not only does it have Tim Curry and Charlotte Rae as the Grand Wizard and Miss Cackle respectively, but Diana Rigg as Miss Hardbroom, and a young Fairuza Balk as Mildred Hubble.
(This was back before she was a different kind of worst witch.)
Check it out.
I'm glad I finally read the book, but I think the movie was better. Perhaps I'm biased. I've seen it a million times in the past 30... 30? Damn... Yeah, 30 years. Anyway, I still watch it every Halloween because there is just too much awesomeness in it to let a year go by without at least one viewing. Back when I had a VHS copy we recorded off HBO, it was prefaced with the best opening in the history of television. (Don't argue with me here; you won't win. I slam dance to this shit.)
Sadly, the awesomeness that makes the movie was missing in the book. Don't get me wrong, the book was fine, but there's no terror tag; no Donna with a broom phone; no Aggie and Delilah getting bumped into the lintel at the beginning complete with a penny whistle sound effect (in fact, there's no Delilah at all, technically); no hysterics from the laughing potion; no "Good morning Miss Hardbroom, LOVELY morning" from Charlotte Rae; no ketchup scene (which is admittedly really stupid... just like everything else in the movie, but it's awesomely stupid, I tell ya!) And most importantly, the Grand Wizard is an old man, and not the dreamboat played by Tim Curry that sets all the girls' quims a-quiver in the film.
Seriously, all the old dude in the book says at one point is "Let us all begin the chanting." There's no song. I repeat, THERE'S NO SONG!... Don't tell me you don't know the song! RUBES! Here: The greatest musical number in the history of ever.
Let that settle in.
Sadly Tim Curry wouldn't find work for two years after he made this, and you can tell by his facial expression at the 15 second mark that even he knows this is probably going to run his career headfirst into the tenth level of hell. Or maybe he needed two years to hide and recuperate. Regardless, I'm glad he gave this to the world, for it sorely needed it. We were reeling from the loss of the Challenger, the Chernobyl meltdown, the Iran Contra affair, Hands across America, and the launch of the Oprah Winfrey show. Tim Curry made it all better, and it was all possible due to this book. That alone should earn the book five stars, but historical significance cannot carry the whole enchilada, and I'm going to stick with three.
One can learn several life lessons from this. For example: bad witches who have no regard for the Witch's Code will suddenly adhere to it if you ask them and they agree to it. I've been saying for years that we as a society need to trust these hags; they're good, decent, law-abiding citizens if only you know how to talk to them... And if you buy that, then this must've happened to you. (Yeah, I know that's from a different movie, but where else am I going to get a chance to put it on here?) No, I don't slam dance to this; the beat's all wrong. I just jam here.
I wasn't all that impressed with the writing style as it seemed a bit... amateurish? But then I found out in the afterword that Jill Murphy was only 18 when she wrote it, and I think this is fantastic for one so young. It's certainly better than anything I could do when I was 18. I think this is a great chapter book for kids just getting into them. It's cute, and it gets my recommendation.
And so does the movie. Just do yourself a favor and watch it. It's so classy you can see the whole thing on YouTube! Not only does it have Tim Curry and Charlotte Rae as the Grand Wizard and Miss Cackle respectively, but Diana Rigg as Miss Hardbroom, and a young Fairuza Balk as Mildred Hubble.
(This was back before she was a different kind of worst witch.)
Check it out.
November 1, 2021
A fond walk down memory lane, The Worst Witch books (and TV series) were some of my favourites as a child. Mildred Hubble, our clueless, clumsy protagonist gets herself into all sorts of scrapes (quite often not her fault) with best friend Maud and scruffy tabby cat companion. Most of these adventures also seem to involve archenemy Ethel and super scary Miss Hardbroom.
Super cute and spooky without the scares, it's full of fun and magic just perfect for younger readers.
Super cute and spooky without the scares, it's full of fun and magic just perfect for younger readers.
September 5, 2015
A simple and charming story of a student witch, with fun illustrations by the author. I've never read these, and thought we'd give it a try as a read-aloud. The kids loved it, and so did I, but it was very short!
June 20, 2018
Heard of this book for the first time today on a podcast, and apparently it's one of the books that might have influenced JK Rowling's writing. Just from reading a couple of pages as a Kindle sample I can already see how much of HP (possibly) came from this: from the school for witches that sits amidst a forest, to the flying classes taught the first day of school, the black school uniforms, the pets that are allowed just because they are tradition (cats and owls), the witch/wizarding exam they have to take in the fifth year (OWLs for Harry Potter, Witch Certificate in this book), and so much more. Again, that's just the first two pages so imagine how much more there is! And this book was written in 1974, keep that in mind (because sadly, a LOT of people accuse the author of ripping off JKR... other way around).
Also, there are SO many tv spinoffs of this, I'm surprised I had never heard of a single one before!
The Worst Witch (1998-2001)
Weirdsister College (sequel to the above)
The Worst Witch (2017 series)
The Worst Witch (1986 film)
And here's a great interview with the author where she talks about a lot, including how she's had cancer twice now. She is such an inspiration.
Okay, brb while I go
rip off this book myself and become a billionaire
read this book. It's pretty short, only 100 pages or so.
Review: This was a really quick read, and the whole time I was reading, I kept seeing all of the Harry Potter comparisons in my head. They sing a school song at the beginning, there's a chief wizard who is very old and has a long white beard, and before the first year is over, Mildred has a broom that gets out of her control (exactly like Harry's does in the first book!). The similarities are just too much. I don't know how JKR got away with that.
Besides that, this isn't the most memorable book for me. I guess it's more of a children's book and I couldn't get into the story that much. It did have wonderful illustrations throughout. And I am glad I have read it. I'm excited to read more 'classic' fantasy novels that influenced Harry Potter.
Also, there are SO many tv spinoffs of this, I'm surprised I had never heard of a single one before!
The Worst Witch (1998-2001)
Weirdsister College (sequel to the above)
The Worst Witch (2017 series)
The Worst Witch (1986 film)
And here's a great interview with the author where she talks about a lot, including how she's had cancer twice now. She is such an inspiration.
Okay, brb while I go
Review: This was a really quick read, and the whole time I was reading, I kept seeing all of the Harry Potter comparisons in my head. They sing a school song at the beginning, there's a chief wizard who is very old and has a long white beard, and before the first year is over, Mildred has a broom that gets out of her control (exactly like Harry's does in the first book!). The similarities are just too much. I don't know how JKR got away with that.
Besides that, this isn't the most memorable book for me. I guess it's more of a children's book and I couldn't get into the story that much. It did have wonderful illustrations throughout. And I am glad I have read it. I'm excited to read more 'classic' fantasy novels that influenced Harry Potter.
March 1, 2019
Today is my 25th Birthday and I couldn't think of anything Id rather be doing than reading a book which meant so much to me when I was a kid. I loved The Worst Witch and I really believed in Mildred Hubble as a person, not just a character. I strongly associated and empathised with her through all she goes through. Being seen as awkward and clumsy, being bullied by a smarter student and being a bit of an outcast through no real fault of her own. Besides all this, Mildred remains kind and a good person who tries to do the right thing even when her life seems hopeless.
This book gave me strength and I didn't feel so alone when reading it as a child.
As the years past and shit happened I forgot about The Worst Witch and the copy I had got lost, then looking through some books on here I came across it again and my heart leapt, so I bought it and prayed that it would arrive before my 25th so I could actually read it on my birthday. I began at midnight and finished around 1.00am.
I'm overcome with emotion and I will continue to read the rest of The Worst Witch series as there are some in the series I haven't read yet and I'm very excited to get going.
This book is beautiful, meaningful and trully magical, I can't say anymore than that.
5/5
This book gave me strength and I didn't feel so alone when reading it as a child.
As the years past and shit happened I forgot about The Worst Witch and the copy I had got lost, then looking through some books on here I came across it again and my heart leapt, so I bought it and prayed that it would arrive before my 25th so I could actually read it on my birthday. I began at midnight and finished around 1.00am.
I'm overcome with emotion and I will continue to read the rest of The Worst Witch series as there are some in the series I haven't read yet and I'm very excited to get going.
This book is beautiful, meaningful and trully magical, I can't say anymore than that.
5/5
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April 9, 2025
Even the most accident-prone can find their magic eventually... well, of course in these stories... Because everyone... including me had written a letter to The Hogwarts... but God knows where the letter went... haha.. lol...
Forget Hermione... this academy needs a safety manual just for one witch... really!!! Spells go awry... brooms misbehave... and a black cat named Tabby somehow survives it all!!!
This book was a charming reminder that sometimes, being the "worst" can be the most delightful!!!
Forget Hermione... this academy needs a safety manual just for one witch... really!!! Spells go awry... brooms misbehave... and a black cat named Tabby somehow survives it all!!!
This book was a charming reminder that sometimes, being the "worst" can be the most delightful!!!
January 11, 2021
در کنار گروشام گرینچ و جام نحس، سرای جادوگران
و راز سکوی شمارهی سیزده، این چهارمین کتابیه که کاملا مشخصه رولینگ از روش کپیبرداری کرده. مدرسهی شبانهروزی، کلاه و لباس فرم و قلم پر و طومار، کلاسهای ورد و معجون سازی، رابطهی بد شخصیت اصلی با معلم معجونسازیش، حادثهی بدی که حین جاروسواری برای شخصیت اصلی میفته، نجات مدرسه از شر خطر بزرگی که تهدیدش میکنه، حتی نگه داشتن حیوان در مدرسه به عنوان رسم قدیمی.
درک میکنم چرا تا مدتها هیچ ناشری چاپ هری پاتر رو قبول نمیکرده. چیزی که درک نمیکنم قدرت رسانه و تبلیغات در خوروندن یک اثر چهلتکه و بدون ارزش ادبی به انبوهی از مردم دنیاست. هیچ اعتراضی هم به این قضیه نشده. یا شده و با پول حل شده؟ پول. پول. پول. دنیا رو پول میچرخونه، سوار مخاطبهای خوابالو.
و راز سکوی شمارهی سیزده، این چهارمین کتابیه که کاملا مشخصه رولینگ از روش کپیبرداری کرده. مدرسهی شبانهروزی، کلاه و لباس فرم و قلم پر و طومار، کلاسهای ورد و معجون سازی، رابطهی بد شخصیت اصلی با معلم معجونسازیش، حادثهی بدی که حین جاروسواری برای شخصیت اصلی میفته، نجات مدرسه از شر خطر بزرگی که تهدیدش میکنه، حتی نگه داشتن حیوان در مدرسه به عنوان رسم قدیمی.
درک میکنم چرا تا مدتها هیچ ناشری چاپ هری پاتر رو قبول نمیکرده. چیزی که درک نمیکنم قدرت رسانه و تبلیغات در خوروندن یک اثر چهلتکه و بدون ارزش ادبی به انبوهی از مردم دنیاست. هیچ اعتراضی هم به این قضیه نشده. یا شده و با پول حل شده؟ پول. پول. پول. دنیا رو پول میچرخونه، سوار مخاطبهای خوابالو.
June 6, 2025
2.5
6/6/2025
6/6/2025
February 21, 2021
Halfway through the first term they were each presented with a black kitten which they trained to ride the broomsticks. The cats weren't for any practical purpose except to keep tradition going; some schools present owls instead, but it's just a matter of taste. Miss Cackle was a very traditional headmistress who did not believe in any new-fangled nonsense and trained her young witches to keep up all the customs that had been taught in her young day.
This series clearly was an inspiration for the Harry Potter series, even though J.K. Rowling never acknowledged it. (Who's surprised at this point? Not me...) So it makes sense why I loved those as a kid. And I still enjoyed it on a re-read eleven years later!
Mildred Hubble is the kind of girl who is in trouble all the time mostly not even by her fault. She and her friend Maud are quite lovable. More troubling figures are the adults - Miss Hardbroom who is basically female version of Snape (she even teaches potions...), but way more stylish in her harassment of students (she makes herself invisible when leaving the scene so they never quite know if she is gone already, she usually isn't...) AND Headmistress Cackle who is the kind one, but after closer inspection just seem to be bit of an emotional blackmailer toward the students. The fact that Mildred is honestly worried that she will be transformed into a toad when she gets into a bigger mess really tells it all to me.
Overall, some of the aspects of the story are a bit troubling after giving them some thought, but I still thought it was quick and enjoyable read with pretty illustrations, so... I'm going to read the second book soon! (I never read the whole series, so... I'm glad I decided to finally begin this endeavor...)
Edit 3.8.23: I finally, watched the 1986 movie adaptation, which I didn't saw before. I thought it was pretty faithful and kind of hilarious. Making Grand Wizard (only minor figure of the book) a superstar that every girl and teacher from the school is in love with was... mostly good decision. (It kind of took away from Miss Hardbroom character though...) Now that I think about it, he kind of reminds me Gilderoy Lockhart...
I mean... don't tell me you don't see the similarity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si5Ao...
(the video sadly isn't very good quality, but there is also only lyrics version on youtube if you prefer that...)
The (now outdated) visual effects make the whole adaptation endearingly funny. I wasn't the biggest fan of the movie's ending though.
January 24, 2020
Originally published in 1974, this story of a young girl away at a witch's academy has, together with its sequels, spawned both a television film and a television series, and is also often cited (much to Jill Murphy's chagrin, apparently) as an influence on the subsequent
Harry Potter
series. Mildred Hubble is the eponymous "worst witch," a first-year student at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches, who is always getting into trouble of one kind or another. Clumsy in her flying lessons, forgetful in her potions classes, her never-ending mistakes and crises make her instructors wonder whether she will even pass the Witch's Higher Certificate, when the time comes. Ethel Hallow, by contrast, is the sort of student who gets everything right - top in all of her classes, an accomplished flyer, and teacher's pet - and when Mildred alienates her, the real trouble begins...
I enjoyed reading The Worst Witch, which (sorry Ms. Murphy, but the comparison is simply unavoidable) put me strongly in mind of J.K. Rowling's similar work. It wasn't just the broad strokes of the story - a young person attending a magical academy - that felt familiar, but some of specific elements as well, from the irascible dark-haired potions instructor (Miss Hardbroom here, Snape in Harry Potter) with whom the protagonist is in conflict, to the episode in which Mildred's broom is enchanted during the Hallowe'en display, which was so reminiscent of the episode in the first Harry Potter novel, in which Harry's broom is hexed during a Quidditch match. This similarity of theme and incident was really quite interesting, as it allows the reader to place the celebrated Harry Potter in an existing tradition of fantastic school stories, while also presenting its own take on the theme. Leaving these issues aside, this was an engaging, albeit slight tale - at 107 pages, I would describe it as sitting somewhere between a beginner's chapter-book and a proper middle-grade novel - with an entertaining story, an appealing heroine, and charming artwork (done by Murphy herself). Despite my recommendation line - I do think this would make an excellent selection for the young reader not yet prepared for the Harry Potter books - I believe that this classic deserves to be read for its own sake.
I enjoyed reading The Worst Witch, which (sorry Ms. Murphy, but the comparison is simply unavoidable) put me strongly in mind of J.K. Rowling's similar work. It wasn't just the broad strokes of the story - a young person attending a magical academy - that felt familiar, but some of specific elements as well, from the irascible dark-haired potions instructor (Miss Hardbroom here, Snape in Harry Potter) with whom the protagonist is in conflict, to the episode in which Mildred's broom is enchanted during the Hallowe'en display, which was so reminiscent of the episode in the first Harry Potter novel, in which Harry's broom is hexed during a Quidditch match. This similarity of theme and incident was really quite interesting, as it allows the reader to place the celebrated Harry Potter in an existing tradition of fantastic school stories, while also presenting its own take on the theme. Leaving these issues aside, this was an engaging, albeit slight tale - at 107 pages, I would describe it as sitting somewhere between a beginner's chapter-book and a proper middle-grade novel - with an entertaining story, an appealing heroine, and charming artwork (done by Murphy herself). Despite my recommendation line - I do think this would make an excellent selection for the young reader not yet prepared for the Harry Potter books - I believe that this classic deserves to be read for its own sake.
September 10, 2017
The Worst Witch follows the adventures of Mildred Hubble, a witch studying at Miss Cackle's Academy. Mildred is a complete scatterbrain and keeps doing the wrong thing, though not by mistake. Of course, she is punished by the teachers all the time. There is also a wicked witch rival, who is a rival for no reason. Once, after the rivalry went terribly wrong, Mildred was blamed. Upset, she tries to go home, and ends up stumbling over a plot to harm the school. She foils it, and becomes a heroine again!
The book is very simplistic but humorous and I probably would have enjoyed this more if I had read this as a small child. Reading as an adult, I just ended up being bored by all the plot holes. The Netflix series of the same name, based on these books, appears to be much more interesting.
The book is very simplistic but humorous and I probably would have enjoyed this more if I had read this as a small child. Reading as an adult, I just ended up being bored by all the plot holes. The Netflix series of the same name, based on these books, appears to be much more interesting.
October 31, 2021
Leitura rapidíssima, The Worst Witch de Jill Murphy (que faleceu recentemente agora no último agosto) é um clássico da literatura infantil inglesa que originou uma série de 8 livros e várias adaptações audiovisuais, mas que fora do mundo anglofono não é tão conhecido ou talvez seja conhecido mais como sendo a grande influência para Harry Potter, cujas similaridades são inegáveis.
Surgido da experiência em estudar em internato para meninas é um ótimo meio de identificação coming-of-age para garotas cuja autoestima não seja das melhores, como é tão comum na adolescência, além de apresentar um mundo ético a ser seguido com verossimilhança na fantasia em que está inserido.
Agora deixa eu ir lá assistir a adaptação com Tim Curry, Fairuza Balk e Dianne Rigg que está completando 35 anos de lançamento hoje.
Surgido da experiência em estudar em internato para meninas é um ótimo meio de identificação coming-of-age para garotas cuja autoestima não seja das melhores, como é tão comum na adolescência, além de apresentar um mundo ético a ser seguido com verossimilhança na fantasia em que está inserido.
Agora deixa eu ir lá assistir a adaptação com Tim Curry, Fairuza Balk e Dianne Rigg que está completando 35 anos de lançamento hoje.
Want to Read
January 9, 2012One of the many Easter eggs in Kraken. Most recruits at the magical police squad's training center refer to it as "Hogwarts". But a few call it "Miss Cackle's" and look superior when the others don't get the reference.
Read
March 8, 2022I really don't know what to rate this because it was my whole childhood but 10 years later I'm not sure how to rate it...
August 20, 2022
This was so cute. It was my first time reading the books, but I loved the Tim Curry movie when I was younger so I kept picturing the movie scenes as I read(totally watching it this week now).
I'm def going to read the rest of the series.
...also, jk rowling seems to have gotten *a lot* of ideas from this series/book. hmm.
I'm def going to read the rest of the series.
...also, jk rowling seems to have gotten *a lot* of ideas from this series/book. hmm.
July 24, 2017
I have no idea why I haven't read this as a kid but better late than never, right? :)
I really enjoyed it but I definitely think it would be more appreciated by a younger audience.
I really enjoyed it but I definitely think it would be more appreciated by a younger audience.
August 8, 2020
Like most Americans, I came to The Worst Witch through the television series. Mildred Hubble and Maud are just as charming as on the show, and I loved this first book in a series.
October 20, 2020
I would have loved this as a kid (I am very much the age of the kids for whom it was originally written), but never heard of it, probably a result of the old "British book not crossing the Atlantic" syndrome. (My mother had great trouble finding the much better known Famous Five books.) I read, instead, the probable American equivalent, Eleanor Estes' The Witch Family.
However, as I am no longer 7 or 8, I can't really give this one more than 3 stars. Charming illustrations.
However, as I am no longer 7 or 8, I can't really give this one more than 3 stars. Charming illustrations.
July 9, 2013
Loved this book as a kid in the good old days before Harry Potter turned up. I never seemed to do well at school and I always felt for Mildred, kindred spirits and both of us pretty. How she deals with the nasty Ethel is brilliant, recently read this to my daughter and Ethel's comeuppance still made me laugh.
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