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The Illustrated Mum

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'The Illustrated Mum' by Jacqueline Wilson is a poignant and intense story that delves into the lives of two young sisters coping with their single mother who has mental health issues, particularly bipolar disorder. The book sensitively portrays the struggles of living with someone who has a mental illness, addressing heavy topics such as emotional abuse, neglect, and the challenges of growing up with a parent who is mentally ill. The writing style of Jacqueline Wilson is described as impactful, realistic, and honest, offering a raw portrayal of mental health issues while maintaining a light and easy style that appeals to both younger and adult readers.

Characters:

Characters are well-developed, showcasing struggles with mental health and relationships.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is engaging and accessible while addressing complex emotional themes.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot focuses on familial relationships and mental health, combining elements of humor and sadness.

Setting:

The setting mirrors contemporary life, reinforcing the story's relatable themes.

Pacing:

The pacing keeps the reader hooked, effectively balancing emotional moments with engaging plot progression.
I was getting a bit stuck for ideas by this time and I’d rubbed out so often that the page was getting furry so I gave up and coloured it in. I wanted to do a pattern of marigolds as a border but Star...

Notes:

The Illustrated Mum is suitable for readers aged 8 and up.
The story is told from a little girl's perspective.
It explores themes of mental illness, specifically bipolar disorder.
The book strikes a balance between being sad and hilarious.
Readers find the characters relatable and empathetic.
Many readers had their first book crush on characters from this book.
It has been praised for its sensitive portrayal of tough topics.
The book is relatively short and easy to finish quickly.
It has a comforting, upbeat ending despite serious themes.
Jacqueline Wilson has written several other popular children's books.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include mental health issues, particularly bipolar disorder, and themes of childhood trauma.

From The Publisher:

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 Dolphin thinks-she just wishes Marigold wouldn't stay out quite so late or have mood spells every now and again. Dolphin's older sister, Star, loves Marigold too, but she's tired of looking after her. So when Star's dad shows up out of the blue and offers to let the girls stay with him, Star jumps at the opportunity. But Dolphin can't bear to leave Marigold alone. Now it's just the two of them, and Dolphin is about to be in over her head. . . .

About the Author:

Jacqueline Wilson is a bestselling author in Britain, second only to J. K. Rowling.Jacqueline Wilson is the author of award-winning books, including The Suitcase Kid, The Lottie Project, Bad Girls, The Story of Tracy Beaker, Vicky Angel, and The Girls…

 
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