The Illustrated Mum

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The Illustrated Mum is a children's book by the renowned British author (and now 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 Books is narrated through the eyes of Dolphin, the youngest daughter, and as the story progresses, she learns more and more about her dillusional mother, mairgold, and her past. The Illustrated Mum is so named because of marigolds heavily tattooed body and throughout the book deals with issues such as neglect, alcoholism and depression.

[edit] The television adaptation

The television drama stars Michelle Collins as Marigold Westward, and Alice Connor and Holly Grainger as her daughters Dolphin and Star, respectively. 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.