How to Read The Worst Witch in Order
For the best experience, The Worst Witch series should be read in publication order. Because the books follow Mildred Hubble's chronological progress as she grows up and advances through the school years at Miss Cackle’s Academy, the order of publication and the chronology of the story match up perfectly.
While each book features a self-contained disaster (and subsequent rescue) that can technically be enjoyed on its own, reading them in order lets you watch Mildred, Maud, Enid, and even their nemesis Ethel Hallow grow, change, and learn to navigate their powers over their school careers.
The Core Novels in Reading Order
The main series consists of eight core novels written and illustrated by Jill Murphy between 1974 and 2018:
- The Worst Witch (1974) – We meet Mildred Hubble during her first year at Miss Cackle's Academy. She struggles with flying, ruins spells, and immediately runs afoul of the stern deputy headmistress, Miss Hardbroom, and the teacher's pet, Ethel Hallow.
- The Worst Witch Strikes Again (1980) – Mildred returns for her second term and is tasked with looking after a new girl, Enid Nightshade. Unfortunately, Enid turns out to be a major troublemaker who drags Mildred into even more mishaps.
- A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch (1982) – Mildred starts her second year at the academy. Determined to keep a low profile, her plans are quickly derailed when Ethel Hallow turns her into a frog.
- The Worst Witch All at Sea (1993) – Instead of the usual castle setting, Mildred and her classmates head to the seaside for a summer holiday. Naturally, Mildred smuggles her beloved cat Tabby along, leading to a coastal adventure.
- The Worst Witch Saves the Day (1999) – Now in her third year, Mildred faces a new school term under a devious new teacher, Miss Granite, and must step up to save the academy from a familiar threat.
- The Worst Witch to the Rescue (2007) – Mildred is tasked with a project on checking her spells. When Ethel steals her project ideas, Mildred must find a way to clear her name and prove she didn't cheat.
- The Worst Witch and the Wishing Star (2013) – Mildred is in her fourth year and makes a secret wish on a shooting star. This leads to the arrival of a star-pupil dog and another set of unexpected magical complications.
- First Prize for the Worst Witch (2018) – The final novel in the series. Mildred is now in her fifth and final year. She competes for the ultimate school honor of Head Girl, trying desperately to prove she has what it takes to leave her clumsy reputation behind.
The Companion and Activity Books
Beyond the core novels, there are two official companion activity books that features Mildred and her friends. You can read these at any point after the first few novels, though they are completely optional:
- The Worst Witch's Spelling Book (1995) – A fun educational activity book co-authored by Rose Griffiths, filled with word games, spelling checks, and puzzles.
- Fun With the Worst Witch (2014) – Released originally for World Book Day, this 96-page book contains crosswords, word searches, puzzles, and "top tips" from the characters.
What to Know Before You Start
Author Jill Murphy began drafting the first book when she was just 15 years old, drawing directly from her own experience attending a strict convent boarding school. Published in 1974, the series predates the Harry Potter books by more than two decades, establishing many of the beloved tropes of the magical boarding school genre. The series is celebrated for its warm, cozy atmosphere, simple prose, and Murphy’s own beautiful illustrations.
Because the books were published over a span of 44 years, readers may notice minor shifts in tone or modern references as the series goes on, but the core heart of Miss Cackle's Academy remains unchanged. It is a perfect series for young readers transitioning into chapter books, as well as older fans looking for a nostalgic trip into a whimsical world where mistakes are just a part of growing up.
The Worst Witch Adaptations
If you finish the books and want more of Mildred Hubble, the franchise has been adapted into several popular screen versions:
- The 1986 TV Movie: A cult-classic musical adaptation featuring Fairuza Balk as Mildred, Diana Rigg as Miss Hardbroom, and Tim Curry in a memorable performance as the Grand Wizard.
- The 1998 TV Series: A beloved ITV/YTV television series that ran for four seasons, closely following the plots of the early books and expanding the lore.
- The 2017 CBBC Series: A modern, high-production adaptation co-produced by ZDF and Netflix, which reimagines the books with new stories and characters while keeping the spirit of Jill Murphy's original work.