I was saddened to hear of the death of British author and illustrator Jill Murphy earlier this month. She had a long, illustrious career and is probably best known for her Worst Witch series, written and illustrated when she was only a teenager and recently made into a fantastic Netflix series.

She also wrote a very popular series of books about the large Bear family, whose lives seem endlessly chaotic and fun, with good natured parents who are always looking for a break from the kids, but never really seem to mind when it doesn’t work out. It’s the little universal details of family life that she captures so perfectly. Certainly, her wonderful stories will live large in our collective minds for a long time to come.

The Worst Witch

The very first adventure of the worst witch in full colour makes a gorgeous collectors’ gift edition. Mildred Hubble is a trainee at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches, but she’s making an awful mess of it. She keeps getting her spells wrong and crashing her broomstick. And when she turns Ethel, the teacher’s pet into her worst enemy, chaos ensues … Written and illustrated by Jill Murphy when she was 16, disaster-prone Mildred Hubble - the worst witch at Miss Cackle’s Academy - has been casting her spell for over forty years. For this special edition, Jill Murphy has reproduced her original illustrations in full colour, and has written a special letter to her readers. Ages 6+

Five Minutes Peace

This is the story of Mrs Large the elephant - who just needs five minutes of peace and quiet away from her boisterous children!So, taking refuge in the bathroom, she fills herself a hot, foamy bubble bath and takes in a tray of her favourite breakfast and the morning paper. But there’s never a dull moment with the Larges, and it soon becomes clear that mum’s quiet time is to be very short-lived! Family life is beautifully observed in this warm and funny modern classic. Ages 2+

Just One of those Days

It had been a long night… so Mr and Mrs Bear woke up late. It’s raining outside - and Baby Bear is late for nursery. Then Mrs Bear sits on her glasses at work and Mr Bear spills his coffee! Oh dear - it seems this is just going to be one of those days! But the loveable Bear family muddle through cheerfully, and there’s even a surprise for Baby Bear when Mr Bear gets home from work. With all the hallmarks of an instant classic, Just One of Those Days is a gentle, warm story about a family day, which parents and children everywhere will relate to - full of satisfying read-aloud repetition and rhythm - and with Jill Murphy’s instantly recognisable, cosily-lit illustrations. Ages 2+

Whatever Next!

The moon and back before bath time? Whatever next! Join Baby Bear as he finds a rocket, makes friends with an owl and has a picnic on the moon. Celebrate thirty-five years of the bear family with this very special edition of the classic bedtime story, Whatever Next!, a beautiful story of innocence and imagination, full of the characteristic warmth and humour of award-winning Jill Murphy. Ages 2+