Jill Murphy is one of this country's best-known author/illustrators. She wrote and illustrated her first book, The Worst Witch (which has since been filmed as a major TV series), while still only eighteen. Since then, she has produced three more Worst Witch stories and many bestselling picture books, including Five Minutes' Peace (Winner of the 1987 Best Books for Babies Award); All in One Piece (Commended for the Kate Greenaway Medal); A Piece of Cake, A Quiet Night In and The Last Noo-Noo (Winner of the 1995 Smarties Book Prize 0-5 Category). Jill Murphy lives in London with her young son. Maureen Lipman, actress, author and columnist, is a household name and has many film, television, theatre and radio credits to her name. Awarded a CBE in 1999. Maureen was the second person in her family to receive this award after her husband, Jack Rosenthal, the playwright.
