I thought the author's portrayal of this type of mental illness through the character of Marigold was very accurate. Through using first person the characters But Dolphin’s sister, Star, feels differently. Star used to love Marigold, love me, love our life together. "Covered from head to foot with glorious tattoos, Marigold is the brightest, most beautiful Mother in the world. She has one adoring child and one who is beginning to want her own life and not want to look after her mother anymore. ‘The Illustrated Mum’ is a fictional story told in first-person through the eyes of the lovely main character, a ten year old girl called Dolphin (Dol for short), who lives at home with her mother Marigold and big sister Star (though there are more characters mentioned!). The book is written from the viewpoint of a 10 year old child, Dolphin, she lives with her older sister, Skye, and their mother Marigold. It's quite a girly book but if your a boy and you don't mind girly things this is an OK book for you. The dad isn't really going to get back together with Marigold as he d. Marigold loves her daughters a lot. It was another game she sometimes liked to play. Dolphin and Star’s mum is rather egotistical and shapes the way her children think to fit the way that she sees herself. suggest that this book is suitable for children aged ten and above because of Hope you enjoy it !!!!! This particular book is better suited to older children 10 years + due to some of more complex issues: mental health, dyslexia, bullying and social services. I loved how each chapter was named after one of Marigold's tatoos and each tatoo had some significance to that part of the story and Dolphin's life with her mum or her sister, Star. He assumes responsibility for her immediately and attempts to get her away from her crazy, tattooed mum.
She heard someone moving upstairs , and assumed that it was just her mother using the bathroom . The story deals with many intense moments that can occur in a child’s life such as poverty, bullying, violence, madness and dyslexia. It just goes. Directed by Cilla Ware. The story explores different things children experience as they are growing up. Finally the characters may be relatable to some children's lives, meaning those who come from a broken home, those who are being bullied or if they have dyslexia may relate to Dolphin and Star and can seek comfort from the story that they are not alone.

I really loved it. "Powerful and memorable tale for older readers."

are brought to life in an imaginative fun way, that second person wouldn't quite interest. Further to this the main characters experience are connection with their fathers and the whole tone is that of forgiveness and positivity. For fans of Tracy Beaker, The Bed and Breakfast Star and Double Act, this is a must have book for every young reader.

I wanted to read it from an adult perspective as I remember being a little upset by it as a child. We've got you covered with the buzziest new releases of the day. I remember reading it almost every month when I was younger, over and over again because it was that good.

Two daughters, one of them a teen called Star, the other younger and called Dolphin (Dol), live with their mother, Marigold, who is mentally ill. Because the reader knows this right off the bat, it is difficult to hate her or see her as the villain. One of my all-time favourite books. The story keeps you gripped on each chapter in order to see how the daughters are struggling to look after themselves,  while their mother is busy worrying about the next tattoo. The Illustrated Mum - Review for parents and teachers. to discuss with parents/guardians. An emotional story of love, anger and the overwhelming strong spirit of the three main female characters. Wilson has skilfully managed to “get inside the head” of a ten year old who is going through an extremely difficult time in her life. I like the chapter named daisy chain because marigold makes a cake house for some pretend mice! I think this is one of Wilson's darker and more depressing novels, geared toward slightly older children. After breaking up with Micky, she breaks down and thinks that it is because she doesn’t look like the woman that he wants . However, it is evident that the Marigold, still obsessed with her long lost lover Micky, Star's father, successfully searches him out at a concert and brings him home to meet his daughter. Star, her older sister, wishes Marigold would act like a normal mum. Wouldn’t you want to read this book?? I really enjoyed this book and think it is one of the best books of Jacqueline Wilson’s styles of fiction. I enjoyed this it was an easy book to read. Ten-year-old narrator Dolphin lives with her 13-year-old sister Star and their beautiful, tattoo-covered mother, Marigold, in a Housing Trust flat outside London.

She goes upstairs to find her mother covered in semi-dried white paint .she has to try to find her father . of the main character Dolphin, who is too young to understand the situation and

when she becomes mentally ill and covers herself in paint, trying to cover the She likes that her mum is different to everybody else’s mum.

‘“It’s like you’re the mum” Marigold wept. This tale would appeal to 10-11 year olds, engaging them from beginning to end. Ways to use the Illustrated mum in the classroom. Star fi. There is also a mention of Dolphin having Dyslexia and it doesn't really go into depth about what this. I decided it was my best chance of getting us home.’ ***** Dolphin … WALT: to show an understanding of how the character Star feels and what she does when she visits Mickey in Brighton. 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.

the complex issues it explores and some of the language used. I would really appropriate it, [ For awhile, honestly, there is no real villain except for the community as a whole who does absolutely nothing to help the mother or her daughters. The story, written from the point of view of Dolphin, follows the girls dealing with living with a mother suffering from mental health problems, as well as school and Star becoming a teenager and drifting away from her sister. However it is more appropriate for children year 5 + because the themes explored in this book are sensitive. Some parts are quite emotional and some are comical. The story itself is exciting and well written and compels the reader to keep reading. reference to the mother suffering from mental illness until the final chapters; Made me laugh and cry at the same time.

It's got a kind of a weird theme as the mum (Marigold) is full of tattoos and one of her daughters (Star, the older sister) thinks she's mad, while the other (Dolphin, the younger sister) thinks she is lovely. 'The Illustrated Mum' by Jacqueline Wilson is the story of a girl named Dolphin, her sister Star, and their Mother Marigold, who is covered in tattoos. I enjoyed this it was an easy book to read. The picture of the Illustrated Mum. The Illustrated Mum follows the life of a young girl called Dolphin who lives with her older sister Star and mother Marigold who is currently suffering with mental health issues. Dolphin is spurred on to find her own biological father by her best friend at school, Oliver Morris; their unlikely friendship is cemented by their unpleasant experience of the school bullies. The family unit in this case consists of a single mother with two young daughters with different and absent fathers. Interestingly Jacqueline Wilson doesn’t make I could understand if a parent or guardian may feel that this book would not be appropriate for their child if they feel they are not emotionally ready for it. 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. The young heroine's candid narrative convincingly and poignantly lays bare her pain and vulnerability as well as her pluck and resilience. Dolphin soon comes to realise that her mum needs more help than she can give. One thing I will say about this book is that sometimes the language can be a little inappropriate than the suggested 11+ age-range would have you believe, so caution should perhaps be exercised in giving it to younger primary-aged children. This story tackles some challenging issues such as mental health, neglect, child carers, and bullying, which would make this a book more suitable for children aged 10 and up. That's what Dolphin thinks...Her older sister, Star, isn't so sure any more. Jacqueline 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. Star and Dolphin definitely love their mum, Marigold, though she's a difficult mum to love.

‎ ‘“It’s like you’re the mum” Marigold wept. "Covered from head to foot with glorious tattoos, Marigold is the brightest, most beautiful Mother in the world.

It always struck me in a certain way when I read it as a child, because I suppose I was subconsciously picking up on themes that were relevant to my life but I just didn't understand it yet. For the older primary school child, it displays positive suggestions for dealing with issues of negative stereotyping. We three were the colour ones, like the glowing pictures inked all over Marigold… Covered from head to foot with glorious tattoos, Marigold is the brightest, most beautiful mother in the world.
The book uses quite descriptive language and is written in the 1. 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. The book focuses on a number of tragic and difficult issues from a child’s perspective to help the reader engage in the story. She definitely lives a colourful life. In which case I would recommend discussing the issues that arise as you go along :D,

The Illustrated Mum book review by Huw Price, This first person narrative deals with issues of manic depression and alcohol dependency within the family unit. When I read the book as a child I was very much of Dolphin's opinion when it came to Marigold; now I'm an adult I vibe much more with Star. Marigold isn't a 'typical' Mum as she struggles to form a parent/child relationship with the girls.