Kids into books: The Illustrated Mum

Author: Jacqueline Wilson

Illustrator: Nick Sharratt

Publisher Randon House, $14.95

Age Group: 8-11 years


`Marigold," Star said sharply. `Look at Dol"s card."

`Oh yes, darling, it"s lovely," Marigold said. She blinked at it. `What"s it meant to be?"

`Oh, it"s stupid. It"s all a mess," I said.`It"s all the things you like most," said Star.`That"s beautiful," said Marigold, looking and looking at it. Then she started crying again.

`Marigold!"

`I"m sorry. It"s just it makes me feel so awful. Look at the pub and the high heels and the sexy tops. These aren"t mumsie things. Dol should have drawn.... I don"t know, a kitten and a pretty frock and... and Marks and Spencer"s. That"s what mums like."

`It"s not what you like and you"re my mum," I said.`Dol spent ages making you that card," said Star. She was starting to get red in the face.`