Illustrated Mum - Jacqueline Wilson

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Disadvantages: See opinion.

...there, right then? Reading The Illustrated Mum sent me catapulting back into a world long before adulthood and reason and experience and empathy and compromise. Thankfully, I never had to deal with mental illness as a child, let alone the mental illness of a parent, but Jacqueline Wilson's Dolphin made me remember exactly how it was to be a child, in a world which is direct, vivid, immediate and oh, sometimes just so hard to understand. I expect ...
...in a way too, The Illustrated Mum is an uplifting book: full of hope; full of the love which even a family struggling with seemingly impossible problems can share; full of the resource and capacity for generosity shown by children so often. There isn't a happy ending here, but there is a positive one, emphasising new beginnings, the importance of the love a family shares, and there is no blame meted out to anyone, just a desire to put things right ... Read review

Advantages: Children learn to understand the lives of those less fortunate than themselves
Disadvantages: None

...intended for. Jacqueline Wilson’s ‘The Illustrated Mum’ certainly captivated me! Jacqueline Wilson has an intuitive understand of the problems facing children in today’s society. These problems are quite different to the problems that would’ve faced her own peers during the 50’s and yet we can’t help but feel that she’s ”been there, done that”. Even though most of her stories, and certainly ...
...girls, the story of “The Illustrated Mum” is based around the lives of two young girls, Dolphin and Star, who live alone with their mother Marigold, in a flat provided for them by the council. So far, everything’s pretty normal. After all, there are plenty of single-parent families living in council flats. But what happens when Mum isn’t like all of the other mothers? How do the girls cope when their mother is covered in tattoos, ... Read review

Advantages: Great
Disadvantages: Sad in places

...a really funny story. Illustrated Mum is about a mum bringing up two children, who do not have the same father. She is not exactly a typical mum with her body completely covered in tatoos, no proper and secure job, and barely having any money to buy food for herself and the children. This is a great story which is along with the best of childrens books. ... Read review

Advantages: really well written, good characters
Disadvantages: not easy to understande for very young kids

...some tricky issues. In the Illustrated Mum, these range from dyslexia, friendship and school to fostering, alcoholism and mental illness. The "Mum" of the title is Marigold, a 33 year old woman with no partner, two daughters and a multitude of tattoos. Some of her behaviour scandalises the other mothers, and the eldest daughter, Star, is beginning to be embarrassed by her. The younger, Dolphin, is just beginning to realise that maybe her mother shouldn't ...
...having too many problems with school and friends to get any help. The plot is gripping, unpredictable and not too unrealistic. There is a happy ending of sorts, and it is not at all sentimental or melodramatic. My 13 year old and 11 year old sisters loved it, and my mum didnt mind reading it either! ... Read review

Advantages: A very interesting read.
Disadvantages: A little slow in some parts.

...a very tallented writer. The Illustrated Mum is one of the best books I have ever read. The story line to the story is fun, very enjoyable and yet it is a belivable story. It is a touching story that you may sometimes laugh out-loud and other times you may come out in tears. I have always been a fan of Jaquline Wilson and I think that I will always enjoy her books. I enjoyed all the books I have read and I could read some of the books over and over ... Read review

Advantages: Plot, characters
Disadvantages: Slow at times

...plans for the future may be affected. But can she guess at the true reasons behind it all?" - Plot Jacqueline Wilson has written many famous books such as Tracy Beaker, Lola Rose and The Illustrated Mum and she seems to always write about certain problems that children and teenagers may face like being in care, running away from home, abuse, divorce and family problems. Her writing style is very unique and I have noticed that lots of the characters have similar characteristics. In Bad Girls, The Illustrated Mum, Love Lessons and Kiss at least one person in them that is very artistic, and in some of her other books I have noticed that a lot of them have been very imaginative. I have read a lot of her books in the past and I always like to get them from the bookshelf and read them again whenever I have the chance. Most of the books she has... Read review

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Advantages: jacqueline wilson is such a talented author
Disadvantages: none! Jacqueline YOU ARE AMAZING!

...for a child growing up now. She doesn’t base anything on her childhood; she gets her ideas from her imagination. Jacqueline Wilson tackles issues such as death (Vicky Angel), divorce (The Suitcase Kid), living in care homes (Tracey Beaker) and manic depression (The Illustrated Mum). The books are also full of references to modern day life. However, the issues in the pages and the emotions of the characters are timeless and universal. Jacqueline Wilson does not simplify her characters emotions or finish her stories with "happily ever after". Despite this, her stories are always told in a funny way with amusing and interesting characters so that one page you will be close to tears and the next you will be chuckling. She does not idealise childhood as being all sweetness and light but addresses real problems that children face. For children going... Read review

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