Covered from head to toe with one-of-a-kind tattoos, Marigold is the brightest, most beautiful mother in the world. At least, that’s what Dol...
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Jan 29, 2012
Jenn
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Jan 07, 2010
Isabel
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Dolphin and her sister (Star) always have to takecare of their mother. With swirling tattos and bright orange hair Marigold, their mother, dosen't know right from wrong. Star thinks she is irresponsible but Dolphin thinks she is wonderful,but when someone arrives everything goes downhill from there.
The Illustrated Mum is full of drama and realistic-fiction. This book is better than worse but it's not one of my favorites. This book is full of a possible real life senario.
I would r More...
The Illustrated Mum is full of drama and realistic-fiction. This book is better than worse but it's not one of my favorites. This book is full of a possible real life senario.
I would r More...
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Nov 11, 2011
Cherry
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This book is a different book from all the other Cat Who...mystery books. It is about a single-parented family, in which the mother is a little crazy at times. But her two daughters still love her. The older daughter, Star, doesn't like the fact the her Mom has custom tattoos all over her body. So when Star finds her real father, she runs away to live with him, and Dolphin, the younger sister, is left to take care of her mum and herself. People at school tease her because she shows up at school
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Sep 26, 2011
Anjali
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I think that this book was good. It had a lot of cliff hangers so if you like suspense books this is a great one.
This book is about 3 people, Star, Dolphin, and Marigold. Star and Dolphin are the daughters of Marigold. Marigold is covered with tattoos all over her body and the children take care of her!!! She is crazy-at least that's what Star thinks. But Dolphin thinks that Marigold is the brightest and most beutiful mother in the world.
So when Star's dad shows up out o More...
This book is about 3 people, Star, Dolphin, and Marigold. Star and Dolphin are the daughters of Marigold. Marigold is covered with tattoos all over her body and the children take care of her!!! She is crazy-at least that's what Star thinks. But Dolphin thinks that Marigold is the brightest and most beutiful mother in the world.
So when Star's dad shows up out o More...
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Feb 13, 2009
Emma
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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,
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Mar 05, 2009
Allison
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This book had me on the verge of tears throughout, but it wasn't devoid of laughs, either. Our heroine is awesome and I wanted to adopt her, if only for her revenge fantasies. The (sort of) happily ever after was rather pat and unconvincing, but at her best, Wilson writes fierce, strange, brilliant girls in harrowing plights and makes you admire, delight in, and root for them.
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Aug 15, 2011
Laura
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This story sensitively deals with a manic-depressive single mother looking after her two young daughters, Star and Dolphin. It deals with the consequences of such a home life for Dolphin and her older sister, both of whom have troubles of their own to deal with to. Star, on the brink of adolescence dealing with boys and popularity and Dolphin dealing with the constant bullying at school. It is amazing how one book can look at so many issues, not only that, but the girls have never known their fa
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Sep 12, 2011
Louise
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This was the first Jacqueline Wilson book that I've read. I hoped to love it. I guess I expected to love it. I didn't love it, perhaps because I work with and know people like Marigold and what it does to their kids? Perhaps I'm less forgiving of Marigold than I should be? It was an engaging and vivid story though. Marigold is the illustrated mum of the title- that is she is heavily tattooed. She is also mentally ill, drinks too much and doesn't take care of her kids all that well. I am sounding
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Sep 11, 2011
Debbie (Readerbuzz)
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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.
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Apr 29, 2010
Lisa
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This book is pushing a five star rating. I really loved it. 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. I thought the author's portrayal of this type of mental illness through the character of Marigold was very accurate. This is a serious subject and a serious story, but Wilson makes it very accessible to a younger audience, probably 11 and up I'd say. I lo
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Aug 24, 2011
Namratha
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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 More...
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 More...
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Dec 19, 2011
Vanessa
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This is one of the saddest, most heartfelt books I've ever read.
IT totally transforms you to a different state of mind, and Jaqueline Wilson writes with such careful carelessness that she might as well be writing about Little Red Riding Hood whereas one might think that the depth and gravity of The Illustrated Mum would require a much more emotional writing style.
Overall the effect is astounding. I never expected to like her book this much.
IT totally transforms you to a different state of mind, and Jaqueline Wilson writes with such careful carelessness that she might as well be writing about Little Red Riding Hood whereas one might think that the depth and gravity of The Illustrated Mum would require a much more emotional writing style.
Overall the effect is astounding. I never expected to like her book this much.
Jul 24, 2011
Gem
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Marigold just keeps getting tattoos all over her even when her daughters Star and Dolphin don't want her to. Marigold is their mum and she doesn't act like it at all. She comes home late has mood swings and she doesn't know how to take care of two girls when she can't even take care of herself. But then Star's dad shows up and wants to take Star and Dolphin to live with him. Star goes with her dad and dolphin is left to take care of marigold but it's very hard. And something big changes Dolphin'
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Sep 04, 2011
Kingfan30
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I'm in two minds about this book. On one hand it was a great way to show young children a very hard life and I could not help but feel sorry for Dolphin and Star. On the other hand I felt that all mothers with tattoos were being tarred with the same brush. As an adult reader I could see where this was going from the beginning, but I guess this would be more of a surprise for younger readers.
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Apr 13, 2011
Jodie♥
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Dec 31, 2009
ღஐღ αmαndα ღஐღ
rated it:
Dolphin adores her mother. She’s got wonderful clothes, bright hair and vivid tattoos all over her body. She definitely lives a colourful life. Dolphin’s older sister, Star, also loves her but is beginning to wonder if staying with a mum whose temper can be as flashy as her body-art is the best thing for the girls . . .
Oct 08, 2011
Rebecca
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This book was truly heart rendering!
The relationship between the two sisters Star and Dolphin was beautiful to read and it was moving reading their fictional account of being a child coping with a mother dealing with the trauma of having Bipola.
Definetly recommend to all ages, a book that will not be forgotten!
The relationship between the two sisters Star and Dolphin was beautiful to read and it was moving reading their fictional account of being a child coping with a mother dealing with the trauma of having Bipola.
Definetly recommend to all ages, a book that will not be forgotten!
Aug 20, 2010
Sophie
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I absolutely loved this book! I read it about 6 times I think. Loved all the characters and even though I was young, the way it was written allowed me to understand and empathize with all the characters; young and old. The TV remake was also very good.
I'll always remember her dolphin tattoo!
I'll always remember her dolphin tattoo!
Jan 04, 2010
Kate
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A sad story about Dolphin and Star and their manic depressive mum, it also says a lot about the cruelty of people and children who judge by appearances. Challenging and rewarding to read as Jacqueline Wilson often is
Apr 09, 2011
Sarah
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I loved most of the Jaqueline Wilson books when I was younger and this is definitely my favourite. Wilson manages to write about real issues, whilst also appealing to children and adults a like.
Apr 10, 2011
Dizzy
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Star and Dolphin,live with their mum (Marigold). Star and Dolphin do love Marigold but they do wish she would act normal and not be covered in tattoos and go out partying all night.
Sep 29, 2009
Mariana
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I really liked it, it inspired to me to think at different at different levels. I cannot believe that a mother would be that way and so uncaring but still end up loving them!! i love the way that each tatoo has something meaningfull and is a part of her life! Maybe if the mother would of been more carefull and caring her kids might of been more happy and loving.
May 28, 2011
Adriana
rated it:
It demands courage to write on such difficult subject like this <SPOILER>(which would be bi-polar disease)</SPOILER> for a young audience and it demands a lot of talent to pull if off in a readable, enjoyable and smart (actually fun) way. Totally recommended, even for adults.
Jul 08, 2011
Marina
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An unexpectedly good read depicting the life of a bipolar mother and the strength of her kids. Really sweet, thoughtful and enjoyable plus easy to read.
May 01, 2011
Miranda
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Jacqueline Wilson Is a really good author!!! All of her books rule!! This one is really touching and sad but it is amazing u should totally read it!!'
Feb 02, 2011
Kate
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I can't remember reading it, but i know for sure i did. Anyway, i know i will have liked it. I loved nearly all of Jacqueline Wilson's books.
Dec 23, 2008
Lindsay
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I thought this book was interesting. Kinda of odd but a great read. I recommend it:)! The writer is British...:)!!!i luv British-lolz:)!!!
Sep 08, 2010
Ceby ~Hobo Vampire Book Lover
rated it:
I didn't like the mum in this book....she wasn't a good example for her children but I reckon she designs awesome tatoos!!
Apr 19, 2009
Emma
rated it:
This book is really good. I has some sad parts but a happy ending. Its about to girls and there mum who is a bit crazy sometimes
Oct 06, 2011
Zahidah
rated it:
I haven't really read this book but i'm sure it's gonna be amazing bacause I have seen the movie and it's really good!
