The Illustrated Mum

infobox Book |
name = The Illustrated Mum
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author = Jacqueline Wilson
illustrator = Nick Sharratt
cover_artist = Nick Sharratt
country = United Kingdom
language = English
series =
genre = Children's novel
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"The Illustrated Mum""' is a children's novel by the renowned British author (and 2005-2007 Children's Laureate) Jacqueline Wilson, and illustrated by Nick Sharratt, a long-time collaborator of Wilson's. It was published in 1999, and was subsequently made into a television drama under the same name.The Book is narrated through the eyes of Dolphin, the youngest daughter(her older sister is Star), and as the story progresses, she learns more and more about her mother Marigold, and her past. The Illustrated Mum is so named because of Marigold's heavily tattooed body, representing important events from her past. The book deals with the effects of bipolar disorder (suffered by the character of Marigold in the story) and its effects on the children and family."Both the title and cover of the book are clearly a play on the 1951 Ray Bradbury novel, The Illustrated Man.

Plot

Set in London, Dolphin Westward is a young, mediocre girl who seems to fail at school. The only thing that isn't so mediocre about her life, is her vibrant (inside and out) mother Marigold, who's lust for life and reckless disposition often gets her in trouble. Dolphin is convinced that Marigold is special and cannot help it when she has strange phases, but older sister Star isn't so sure anymore. In contrast to Dolphin, Star is an excelling student who feels that her mother and her sister will only hold her back. The story explores the highs and lows of Dolphin's life; making her first friend who helps her tackle her family issues, meeting her kind and friendly father for the first time, but also Star leaving home to live with her father Micky, whom she feels she has an instant rapport with, and who happens to be Marigold's only love, and when Marigold hits rock bottom and is admitted to hospital. Dolphin Westward's life wasn't and still isn't easy, and she only hopes that her love and care for her sister and her mother can help them through.

A heart-wrenching, bittersweet story of a young girl; perfect for older readers.

The television adaptation

The television drama stars Michelle Collins as Marigold Westward, and Alice Connor and Holly Grainger as her daughters Dolphin and Star. The script was by Debbie Isitt, and it was directed by Cilla Ware. Ware had previously directed the television adaptation of another of Wilson's books, "Double Act", and went on to adapt a third, "Best Friends".

The drama won the Children's BAFTA award in 2005 for best schools drama, and Debbie Isitt won the award for best adapted writer.

Characters

*Dolphin Westward
*Star Westward
*Marigold Westward
*Micky
*Oliver Morris (Owly)
*Miss Hill

References

* " [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390120/ The Illustrated Mum] " in the Internet Movie Database
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/4050851.stm "Children vote Shrek 2 best film"] - BBC News article dated Monday, November 29, 2004, about the children's Bafta awards