Jill Murphy (1949-2021) was born in London and grew up in Surrey. From a very early age she was drawing and writing stories, and was already putting books together (literally, with a stapler) by the time she was six. She went on to study at Chelsea, Croydon and Camberwell Schools of Art. Jill worked in a children's home for four years and as a nanny for a year, before becoming a freelance writer and illustrator. She wrote and illustrated over 20 picture books, including the award-winning Large family of elephants, and 10 novels, including the highly successful Worst Witch series which have been also been adapted for television and stage. Jill passed away in Cornwall in August 2021, aged 72.