The Illustrated Mum

Illustrated Mum #1

by Jacqueline Wilson, Nick Sharratt (Illustrator)

Josie Lawrence reads Jacqueline Wilson's The Illustrated Mum in this unabridged five-CD audio book.

Jacqueline Wilson has the ability to tackle difficult subjects with spirit and affection but without a trace of sentimentality and without patronising the reader or her characters. This always makes her books rewarding and emotionally satisfying.

In The Illustrated Mum, Wilson introduces us to Dolphin, a young girl living in the wake of her tattooed mother Marigold's manic depression. With her older sister, Star, on the brink of adulthood and facing the traumas of adolescence and her mum sinking further and further into her illness, Dol has no-one to turn to. The constant bullying at school causes her to withdraw into her own world and she begins to cope by fantasising that she is a witch.

Far from being depressing or overwhelming, The Illustrated Mum features another of Wilson's classic heroines. Dol deals with the extraordinary circumstances of her life with a mixture of humour and quiet intelligence that blossoms as the situation reaches its inevitable climax. The story is suitable for ages nine and above and the running time is six hours and 25 minutes. --Susan Harrison

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Contemporary, Mental Health, Novels

292 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1999

About the author

Jacqueline Wilson was born in Bath in 1945, but spent most of her childhood in Kingston-on-Thames. She always wanted to be a writer and wrote her first ‘novel’ when she was nine, filling in countless Woolworths’ exercise books as she grew up. As a teenager she started work for a magazine publishing company and then went on to work as a journalist on Jackie magazine (which she was told was named after her!) before turning to writing novels full-time.

One of Jacqueline’s most successful and enduring creations has been the famous Tracy Beaker, who first appeared in 1991 in The Story of Tracy Beaker. This was also the first of her books to be illustrated by Nick Sharratt. Since then Jacqueline has been on countless awards shortlists and has gone on to win many awards. The Illustrated Mum won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award, the 1999 Children’s Book of the Year at the British Book Awards and was also shortlisted for the 1999 Whitbread Children’s Book Award.

Double Act won the prestigious Smarties Medal and the Children’s Book Award as well as being highly commended for the Carnegie Medal. The Story of Tracy Beaker won the 2002 Blue Peter People’s Choice Award.

Jacqueline is one of the nation’s favourite authors, and her books are loved and cherished by young readers not only in the UK but all over the world. She has sold millions of books and in the UK alone the total now stands at over 35 million!

In 2002 Jacqueline was awarded the OBE for services to literacy in schools and from 2005 to 2007 she was the Children’s Laureate. In 2008 she became Dame Jacqueline Wilson.

Reviews

[Kiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm pretty stunned by the middling rating for this book. Sure, it's a little dated: we don't say "manic depressive" anymore and nor do many of us still see tattoos as particularly shocking (though I can say from experience that being covered in them oftentimes begets loud and unsavoury opinions from strangers). But there's an earnest, powerfully lovable tone to Dolphin's voice, as she struggles so hard to be seen, and later to survive as her life at home spirals completely out of control. She is so penned in by misery that she invents wild scenarios and stories inside her own head, idealising every situation and so ending up disappointed when reality proves expectedly ugly.

There are layers upon layers to this book that, when I first read it about twelve years ago, I couldn't have picked up on: the pattern of Marigold's depression and mania, her delusions about Micky, her alcoholism; Star desperate to conform, both to protect herself from the viciousness of the uncaring community and to experience the comfort of "normality"; the overwhelming stigma against mental illness in the community; Oliver's mother's circumstantial depression; the emotional abuse inflicted upon Dolphin by her schoolteacher. It's a heavy novel, heavier when you read it again as an adult. I cried multiple times, particularly in those dark moments when Dolphin believes that she is always second best, never good enough, utterly forgotten. It's even more upsetting when we find that she was conceived while Marigold was in a relationship with a man she was using as a substitute for the infamous Micky. Dolphin is a painfully lonely child, so much so that it's often difficult to read.

There's a loose, messy ending to this story, a hallmark of Jacqueline Wilson, who writes with incredible and sometimes shocking realism for her young audience. But life is messy, and things don't tie up, and there truly are no happily ever afters. Better this - better that young people understand that what they're striving for is not perfection and undiluted happiness, but to always be moving upwards. Maybe some people don't like that, and maybe they'd rather this was a nicer story. But real life is harder and more terrifying than any make believe. We may as well prepare for it.

[Petra X · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marigold loves her daughters a lot. But she loves herself far more. She sees them as children to be formed in her own egotistical image to reflect what she wants the world to think of her. She has one adoring child and one who is beginning to want her own life and not want to look after her mother anymore. Both desperately seek an adequate parent instead of some weird 'best friend' and put their hope in absent and previously unknown fathers.

The mother predictably has a breakdown, predictably over a man, and the daughters, predictably find that fathers just aren't people you can rely on either. But they have each other and back they go into their old life of looking after mum again.

I enjoyed this book, I enjoyed the film too. I wonder what my perspective on it would have been if I'd been between 10 and 15, the target audience? Probably I would have adored the hippie mother rather than despised her selfishness and thought what good kids the daughters were enabling her to behave so badly and dress so well. And just as the author intended I too wouldn't have been able to see the possibly of help that didn't involve losing their ditsy mother. Hindsight is easy, especially with books.

[Eddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is one of Wilson's darker and more depressing novels, geared toward slightly older children. Marigold is great at getting tattoos, not so great at anything else. Especially naming children - poor Dolphin. Dolphin doesn't even like dolphins. I remember that. The novel focuses on Marigold's spiral into depression, and touches on some sensitive subjects - mental health and depression, alcoholism, learning difficulties, bad parenting... At the age of eleven or whenever I read this book, I couldn't relate to a single one of those issues, but the book still got to me.

I found the book quite fascinating. Mental health issues - Marigold, as it turns out, suffers from manic depression - have always held interest with me. And poor awkward little Dolphin turns out to be quite gutsy and resourceful, which is nice. I felt for her. It sure as hell can't be easy dealing with a crazy momma.

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐬
A few days ago I had a spell where I simply could not concentrate on reading. Just over three days. I know because I was keeping track in my journal! Since I read whenever I get the chance, it always throws me off when this happens. I caught up on some episodes of the TV show Heartland, which I love very much, but isn't quite the same. It took me a bit to remember, but generally when this kind of thing happens I reread a much loved book and it kind of restores my brain and gives me back my focus.
   Enter Jacqueline Wilson.

I've mentioned in quite a few reviews how much I love her, but I'm going to say it again. I love Jacqueline Wilson! I love her new books (there is usually at least one year, often more) and I also love returning to her older ones. The Illustrated Mum is one I especially adore (though I say that about all of them). Star and Dolphin's mother is clearly mentally ill, and as she enters into a manic (or perhaps hypomanic) state, things get quite scary. Star's at the point of disengaging with her mum. She is tired of being the mature and responsible one while Marigold reels from one disaster to another. Dolphin still reveres her mother, though eventually even she sees that things are getting out of hand.

Marigold is not a villainous figure, but she is a frustrating one. She rejects hospitals and treatment, traumatised by either past experiences or stories she has heard and absorbed. Both perhaps. This is understandable, but she also had two children in her care, and is often not a fit mother. Both Star and Dolphin are frightened of being put into care, especially because Marigold had such an awful upbringing, which included living in care homes.

When Star's father returns, thrilled to discover he has a daughter, dismayed at the state of Marigold, things change quickly, in ways both good and bad.

I love Dolphin so much. She is sweet and out of her depth. She is bullied at school, is dyslexic so finds the classroom challenging, and is trying to cope with a difficult situation. She manages to make friends with a boy called Oliver, and their friendship warms my heart.
    Star is at an age where she has realised that while their mothers illness is very real, her refusal to address or treat it is causing serious problems that might be avoidable. She is frustrated and upset and I can hardly blame her.

I love the way everything is portrayed in this book, and the way the ending feels both hopeful and realistic. 

[Alice Nachir · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson is a book that really relates to my childhood experiences whilst growing up. Marigold is a mother who is eccentric to say the least; is covered in crazy tattoos, and tends to put the needs of her two daughters Star and Dolphin, last. Her daughters adore her but wish for her to become more 'normal'.
The mood of the book is somewhat depressing yet hopeful with spurts of humour. I can see this book relating to many children coming from broken homes and families. Star is embarrassed by her mother and desperately wants her to change, however Dolphin admires her mother and constantly wants to please her which is extremely difficult. This is due to Marigold having a mental illness as she struggles to cope with her emotions,having severe mood swings. Growing up myself with a mother with a mental illness, I found real comfort in this book that I was not the 'only one'.
Jacqueline Wilson uses much dialogue between characters in this book to convey the messages of a mother living with the responsibility of two daughters while trying to manage a mental disability, and the difficulties of two daughters hoping for change and being strong through everyday family difficulties. Jacqueline Wilson makes the characters come alive so well in this book which is what really reels the reader in.
The appropriate age range for this book would be age 10 +. This is due to the book covering many sensitive issues that a younger audience may not be able to connect with.
This book would be great for children to read in small groups, where they could pause and discuss feelings and situations of the characters to help them recognize different family situations and increase sensitivity to particular life situations.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is possibly one of my very favourite Wilson books. Like most of her books, I read it many times as a child. Looking back as an adult, it's clear the mother is living with some form of mental illness, most likely bipolar disorder.

As a child reading this, and from the perspective of the child from which this book is written, all you understand is that Mum is quite impulsive and a little bit weird. She isn't like a normal mum, there's often little money to buy the things the two daughters (Dolphin and Star) need. Mum is instead very good at telling stories and coming up with fun things to do. As with all mental illness, living with someone affected has its downsides.

I was impressed on how Wilson challenged the stereotypes surrounding mental health issues. Mum isn't crazy, she's just wired differently. That doesn't make her a bad person does it?

[[ J o ] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as part of The Infinite Variety Reading Challenge, based on the BBC's Big Read Poll of 2003.

This was much better. Probably because it is "for older readers" but more on why that's a load of bollocks later. Darker, and not at all twee, so definitely better all round. Full review to follow.




Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Shop | Etsy

[Namratha · Rating 3 out of 5]

First up, I loved the title. I was tickled pink by this fresh badge for a heavily-tattooed individual. It immediately flooded my mind with images of a lean young woman whose pale skin was totally blanketed by inked crosses, cryptic motifs and a host of Celtic symbols.

And the story itself floods you with a bucket load of emotion.

It’s a tale of Marigold; a free-spirited, auburn-haired, rocker-vibe infused, covered-with-tattoos single mother. She has two young daughters Star and Dolphin, both from different fathers. Marigold sounds like a free-thinker’s edgy dream. You expect the story to be about a fiercely independent heroine who fights against a disapproving society so that she can raise her daughters in the way that she wants them to be raised. You expect the pages to be bursting with flower-power and righteous indignation.

Sadly, life is rarely a walk down a garden path.

Marigold suffers from Manic-Depression. She refuses to believe that she has a problem and the possibility of taking treatment is a non-existent option. Star and Dolphin have become accustomed to their mother’s weird spells. But getting used to something does not necessarily mean that you are resigned to it and willing to accept it with a weary roll of your eyes. Marigold parties hard, gets herself inked at regular intervals, pulls all-nighters with random men, drinks indiscriminately and leaves behind a sorry train-wreck for her daughters.

Star, the elder daughter, used to love her mother’s uniqueness but as she grows up, she seeks the safety of conformity. She cannot excuse Marigold’s "episodes" anymore and just wants a normal life. Dolphin, on the other hand, still loves her mother to distraction. She adores her brightly coloured, covered-like-a-comic-strip parent. She cherishes the little gestures Marigold makes in her brief moments of sanity. Dolphin loves Star too and though the sibling affection is reciprocated, things will soon come to an ugly head. The Illustrated Mum is a book that explains Dolphin’s journey of trying to be an adult in a world that is unpredictable and at times downright scary.

Jacqueline Wilson is a children’s author who has always been credited for taking up serious issues in a child’s life and handling it with a winning combination of sensitivity and humour. In The Illustrated Mum , she tackles a grave issue and leaves you with a sizeable knot in your throat. The comical quips were few, but the author makes you ache for Dolphin and her earnestness.

Wilson’s preteen heroines are usually full-of-beans and ready to take on the world amidst their own private hells. Dolphin is no different. She raises all your dormant maternal instincts and makes you want to crush her in a big, squishy comforting hug. My only grouse was with the abrupt ending. I didn’t particular appreciate the convenient tying up of odd ends. It felt like a cop-out.

And yet, you clamber on till the end since you want a happy-ending for Dolphin.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

We always love our mums, don't we? Star and Dolphin definitely love their mum, Marigold, though she's a difficult mum to love. For starters, she's covered head to toe in strange tattoos, and, second, she's not always there for her daughters. Such an eccentric mum makes life complicated and disturbing for the two girls. When Marigold comes home from a rock concert with Star's dad, Micky (not Dolphin's dad---he is a different Micky, it turns out), life becomes much more complicated and disturbing.

An unexpectedly complex look at a complex person and her complex sister and her complex mother. Recommended.

[Codie Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, the story in a nutshell, follows Dolphin (yep, that’s her name…), and her sister Star (which is a name that doesn’t actually seem that bizarre in comparison to some children I’ve met…) who live with their mother Marigold who is clearly suffering from some sort of manic depression throughout the story. Star’s Dad Micky comes on to the scene and whisks Star (who is the parental figure to both Dolphin and her mum, Marigold) away, leaving Dolphin dealing her poorly mum as well as school bullies and trying to look after herself, despite being only 11.

There are some really dark points in this book that I hadn’t noticed, or fully appreciated as a child. For example, Marigold steals, or at least has in the past stolen, some credit cards. Also, Dolphin shows some traits of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - presumably the only way she can find control in her life.

It was also quite difficult to read as my Mum suffered with depression when I was a child, so some parts were particularly relatable (although thankfully not all!). In fact, I think it was a frighteningly real portrayal of a parent who is suffering with their mental health and a very brave, but important, risk to take for a children’s book. Spoiler alert: There is no dramatic “happy ending”, where everything is suddenly okay again, and I personally appreciated that. It’s not how life works and although the ending is upbeat and optimistic, it’s also realistic and doesn’t patronise the children reading the book. I think that’s so important.

There was a moment, when Oliver and Dolphin call up a leisure centre and just so happen to manage to get in touch with Dolphin’s Dad, who she has never met, which did feel a bit too easy and very unrealistic. Aside from that, it was easy to forget that I was reading a book that is intended for children, such is Wilson’s writing. It really is a timeless book that I absolutely loved re-reading and I’m excited to start the next one already!

[Charlotte]

It’s quite humbling to be the same age as the illustrated mum, as well as having lots of meaningless tattoos, and also a ten year old daughter who doesn’t know her father…(she’s a cat)

[Lauren Elkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ reread ready for the new adult novel!!

[june · Rating 5 out of 5]

malkuak erortzear behin baino gehiotan😭😭 HGL maitaleak irakurri inberdezue i love them 😍😍😍😍😍😍😭😭😭😭

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this book for ages 8-10.Marigold is Dolphin’s bright, beautiful and unique mum. She’s covered in tattoos, head to toe. She’s think she’s the magical mum in the world. She sometimes just wished she looked after them better. Star is Dolphin’s older sister. Star isn’t sure if she wants to live with Marigold, Micky is Star’s dad, Marigold is convinced he’ll come back one day. Dolphin just wants everyone to get along.

[Pubudini Jayakody · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was little, I kept reading Jacqueline Wilson's stories because they were so much fun. But now, more and more I read her books, they never fail to make me cry. She writes extraordinary stories; childish and cute doodles make them more memorable.

Dolphin's mother Marigold, is different. Not only because of her tattoos but also she never acts as a normal mom does. She used to have good and bad days. Even 10-year-old Dolphin tries to love her the way she is, her sister Star has seen enough. It's not her fault that she needs a normal mom and it's not Marigold's fault that she isn't one too.

"But we’d always have our mum, Marigold. It didn’t matter if she was mad or bad. She belonged to us and we belonged to her. The three of us. Marigold and Star and Dolphin."

[quin ⁠♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just recently found out there’s a sequel to The Illustrated Mum so I decided to reread the original before diving into the new one. This is one of the books my mom bought me, and I probably first read it when I was around ten? Picking it up again now fills me with so so much nostalgia, worn cover and slightly yellowed pages🥹

The story follows Dolphin and her sister Star as they navigate life with their unpredictable mum, Marigold. When Star moves out to live with her dad, Dolphin is left to face the highs and lows of her mum on her own. I just adored Dolphin so much, she’s such a relatable and a heartfelt character.

[Aoife · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dolphin and Star live with their mum Marigold, who is a little bit different to other mums. She is covered in amazing art, and dresses up in a different way to the other parents at the school gates. But as imaginative and fun Marigold is on her good days, she also has bad days when she makes unwise decisions that affect Dolphin and Star. As Marigold's mental health gets worse, Dolphin is left on her own to try and figure out how to help her mum and herself.

This is such a great read. I loved it as a child, and I think I honestly loved it more as an adult. There are so many different things in this book that just hit differently as an adult and you can truly appreciate the things Jacqueline Wilson did in this book that made it so special to so many kids. This is the first book I read where I had an inkling of what mental health deterioration really looked like, and how it could affect someone who meant well and loved a lot but was unable to make the right choices. From the little things to Dolphin's grubby clothes, and too-tight knickers to the way she is treated by classmates and her teachers, there's so many things you feel for Dolphin.

I had a new appreciation for Star in this book too and everything she had to do as an older sibling to look after Dolphin, and she was only so young herself. There were moments in this book I felt surprisingly emotional at the sisters' situation and I felt for Marigold herself too.

This is a great book for adults and children it seems and if anyone was looking to do a reread I would highly recommend it!

[Marthabethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a lot of Jacqueline Wilson books as a child and teen, but don’t think I have read this one before. I really enjoyed reading this and revisiting a childhood author of mine, but had never quite realised how sad and heartbreaking her stories could be.

This book is narrated by Dolphin, the youngest daughter of Marigold - the illustrated mum. Marigold is very different to other mums - she has lots of tattoos, cannot cook, often goes out at night and leaves her daughters, and she has bad days. Star and Dolphin do what they can to support their mother, but it’s a lot for two young girls to take on.

I loved the look at mental health here and felt it was done in such a lovely way, through the eyes of a child. It showed how to Dolphin, her mum was wonderful even if she was unconventional and didn’t always put them first. As an adult reader, some scenes were quite hard to read as the suffering and struggles are captured so well. Jacqueline Wilson handles tough subjects very well and I am glad I read this book.

[Nav (she/her) 🌧 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Positives:
- The first chapter was great and really gave an insight into what Dolphin's life was like living with her mother and sister.
- I liked seeing Dolphin's friendship with Oliver grow throughout the book.

Negatives:
- The way Dolphin's teacher spoke to her when she was late was actually shocking to see and I felt the teacher could have handled the situation better.
- The story isn't too memorable for me and I don't think I will be thinking about it in years to come.

[Matty · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad I stuck this book through even though it made me sad because the ending showed that there is some light in humanity- Aunty Jane and Uncle Eddie STRAIGHT to heaven, just pass go. The way they opened their hearts and home to foster the kids even when all was going down a dark path was just superhero ending this book needed

[Lily Sawtell]

This has made me want to go back and read all my old Jacqueline Wilson books to see what other dark subject matter went over my 7-12 year old head.

Not going to give a rating bc it’s purely for nostalgia (and pre-reading for picture imperfect).

[Agnes Stenqvist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nä alldeles gråtig av denna! Nostalgi! Wilson = geni

[Kate (Lillytales) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jacqueline Wilson was one of my all-time favourite authors during childhood and I picked up the Illustrated Mum again as a bit of an experiment. I wanted to read it from an adult perspective as I remember being a little upset by it as a child. The Illustrated Mum is the story of two sisters, Dolphin and Star, and their Mum Marigold. Marigold isn't a 'typical' Mum as she struggles to form a parent/child relationship with the girls. Dolphin and Star spend a lot of time worrying about Marigold as she drinks a bit too much, continues to spend money they don't have on tattoos and she is continuously searching to reclaim her relationship with Star's father, Mickey.

I think it's fantastic how Jacqueline Wilson gives children a different perspective on family structures. A common theme throughout all of her books is the idea of diverse families with real-life problems. I think it's really important for children to have access to a diverse range of stories surrounding family and Wilson's books are a vital role in showing that growing up isn't always peachy keen. Sometimes children are forced unwillingly into adult roles and this is a story of love, endurance and the power of empathy.

[Chetana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read this book for the nth time. That Jacqueline Wilson is such an underrated children's book author, continues to surprise me. Her depiction of dysfunctional, broken families - in this book, it was that the tattooed single mum who is manic depressive but very loving - is refreshingly honest and real. Though these families are extremes, the emotional roller coaster that they encounter is so familiar. Whether it's a neat four member-ed unit or a mother-daughter duo, families _are_ wrung with conflicting feelings of selfishness, irritation, (lack of) respect and love towards one another; it's a reality that's rarely found in a children's book. Giving this a five for both the story and Wilson.

[iago-go · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favourite books. I read it over and over again as a young teenager but honestly reading it now puts another perspective on mental health and healthy family dynamics. Really makes you want to cry at times.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book that I remember being my favourite when I was a kid! Read it again for the first time since I was probably 10. Jaqueline Wilson is such a star, it was so fun to remember why I fell in love with reading again

[Fredrika · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

These books are honestly so dark, and I don’t think it’s until you’re older that you really realise what they’re about.

This one is quite traumatic imo, dealing with very realistic mental health and addiction issues. I felt sorry for Dolphin who was too young to understand, but also for Star who was old enough to understand, but had to watch it happen anyway as she was too helpless to stop it . I like how Jacqueline Wilson also had Dolphins friend Oliver, whose mum was going through similar issues to show how common it probably is, but that people aren’t aware of how to handle it or can even notice the signs. Dolphins teacher being a prime example; telling her off for bad behaviour and looking scruffy, instead of questioning why this could be.

It is a little outdated now as I don’t think tattoos are necessarily viewed as a bad thing anymore and they’re way more common now. Maybe this is where my interest for tattoos started deep down somewhere? 🤔

I’m slowly making my way through the JW books I read as a child so this is another I can tick off the list!

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Джаклин Уилсън определено се превръща в една от любимите ми авторки! Книгите й са толкова реалистични и засягат доста сериозни теми. Определено не очаквах, че детски книги може да са толкова тежки.

[Jas Just Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

getting ready to read the new book! it’s such a banger i can’t believe how into it I still was as a grown woman 😂

[Milly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never read this book when I was young. I actually really enjoyed reading it, I love how Jaqueline Wilson writes about adult topics for children without it ever feeling patronising