The Worst Witch
Each book covers one term at the school. There are two terms each year: the Winter term, from September to January, and the Summer term, from March to July. In "First Prize for the Worst Witch", the most recent book, Mildred is in the Summer term of her fourth year.
The author Jill Murphy began writing "The Worst Witch" at the age of 15, while still at school, and based many points of the stories on her own school experiences at Ursuline Convent in Wimbledon, England, with Singing becoming Chanting, Chemistry becoming Potions and so on. Recalling how she got the idea for the story, she said: "My two friends and I used to come home in our dark uniforms, looking very scruffy at the end of the day – my dark plaits sprouting tufts, with lost hair ribbons. My Mum used to say 'Look at you all. You look like the three witches!' and it gave me the idea for a witch's school – so that it was exactly like my school, but with a subtle touch of magic. All the characters are based on my school friends (and enemies) and teachers." Murphy concluded the first book at the age of 18, but failed to achieve a publishing deal, causing her to "put it in a drawer" and decide to "concentrate on other things instead." After working as a nanny and in a children’s home, Murphy had a phone call from a small publisher interested in the book. "The Worst Witch" was finally published in 1974, when Murphy was 24.
Wendy the Good Little Witch
Wendy was introduced as a back-up feature as well as a companion for Casper in "Casper the Friendly Ghost" #20, May 1954. Casper met and befriended her after stopping a major battle between the witches & the ghosts. Soon, she was trialed in Harvey Hits, starting with #7. After a total of six appearances, she received her own title, "Wendy the Good Little Witch", in 1960. Other ancillary titles featuring the pleasant young witch include "Wendy Witch World" (October 1961 to September 1974), and "Casper and Wendy" (September 1972 to November 1973). Another "Wendy the Good Little Witch" comic ran from April 1991 to August 1994, and a three-issue "Wendy the Good Little Witch and New Kids on the Block" saw print in 1991.