The Illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson and Nick Sharratt

Description

Covered from head to foot with glorious tattoos, Marigold is the brightest, most beautiful mother in the world. Dolphin would do anything for her. She just wishes her beautiful mum wouldn’t stay out partying all night, or forget to buy food and pay the bills, or go weird now and then. Older sister Star isn’t so sure anymore. She loves Marigold too, but sometimes she just can’t help wishing things were more normal. And when Mum starts to fall apart, what should Dolphin do? Is her illustrated mum still in the picture? A humane and moving portrait of a child coming to terms with a parent’s mental illness, which derives its pathos from the gulf between Dolphin’s innocent view of the world and the reality of her mother’s plight.

Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.