Jacqueline Wilson shared a fantastic idea she had while she on stage at Manchester’s HOME Theatre, and the crowd were fizzing with excitement at the prospect of the collaboration
Dame Jacqueline Wilson is currently on a tour promoting the release of her latest book, ‘Picture Imperfect,’ a sequel to her 1999 book ‘The Illustrated Mum’. In Manchester, she was in conversation with Dani Harmer, best known for her role as Tracy Beaker in the show of the same name, and she discussed how she becomes “possessed” by the characters when she’s writing them, and all the research she undergoes before creating characters and new novels.
Wilson’s newest book is from the perspective of Dolphin, much like ‘The Illustrated Mum’ was, but this time, Dol is actually 33. Star, her older sister, is now a doctor, and she’s living her life as a tattoo artist, almost as an ode to her mother, Marigold.
Marigold is now in her 50s, and Dol feels as though she hasn’t been able to properly focus on her own life because of her mother’s plights, and the newest novel explores those relationships and the things we do for the ones we love.
Speaking about her novel at the event in Manchester’s HOME Theatre (August 26), Jacqueline Wilson discussed the tattoos Marigold has, as well as her and Nick Sharratt’s friendship.
Of course, long-time fans of Jacqueline Wilson will have realised that Nick Sharratt no longer illustrates Jacqueline’s books anymore, and her two adult novels have completely ceased to have person-centric artwork on.
She explained that during the pandemic, everyone had to “please themselves” and look after themselves and their livelihoods, and this meant that Nick’s priorities changed.
Also she said she was “devastated,” but understood the need for him to focus on his own projects, and his desire to illustrate his own children’s books, even though they worked together for a whopping 30 years.
The illustrator for Jacqueline Wilson’s books is now Rachael Dean, who Jacqueline described as “equally talented”.
However, she had an idea “on the spot” at the event, which could well mean that a collaboration between our childhood favourites may be closer than we think.
In ‘Picture Imperfect,’ Jacqueline Wilson goes to great pains to describe in detail some of the tattoos Dol has designed for people – including dragon tattoos for those readers who are firmly in their romantasy eras.
And for those with good memories, ‘The Illustrated Mum’ actually had a picture of Marigold and all her tattoos towards the back of the book, illustrated by Nick Sharratt.
That’s why Jacqueline Wilson had the fantastic idea of getting Nick Sharratt to design some of the new tattoos she’d described via Dolphin in her latest novel.
We’d absolutely love to see that, and can only imagine how much justice Nick would be able to do with the inkings.