Other characters in the books include Ethel Hallow and Mildred's friends, Maud Moonshine and Enid Nightshade. The benevolent headmistress, Miss Cackle, is generally understanding, whereas Mildred's form teacher Miss Hardbroom thinks she just isn't trying hard enough. She is well-meaning but does things without thinking. Mildred Hubble is the worst student at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. A new TV adaption by the BBC aired in 2017.

A TV series based on the books aired from 1998 to 2001, and has inspired two spin-offs, Weirdsister College (2001) and The New Worst Witch (2005). In 1986, the first book in the series was made into a TV Movie. The first five books have been re-released read by Gemma Arterton, and Barbara Flynn has also recorded Worst Witch audio books. The books have been released as audio books on CD and cassette, with books 1-5 read by Miriam Margolyes, and books 6 and 7 read by Gemma Arterton. There are also two spin-off activity books, The Worst Witch's Spelling Book and Fun With The Worst Witch. The eight volumes cover Mildred´s first four years at Cackle´s Academy – books 1 and 2 covering the first year, books 3 and 4 covering the second one, books 5 and 6 covering the third year, and Books 7 and 8 covering Mildred's fourth year. They have become some of the most outstandingly successful titles on the Young Puffin paperback list and have sold more than 5 million copies. The Worst Witch is a series of children's novels written and illustrated by Jill Murphy and published by Puffin Books (The first two books were orginally published by Allison & Busby). This article is written from a real world point of view and so is not considered part of The Worst Witch universe.

The worst witch books age range