Dame Jacqueline Wilson is currently on tour promoting her latest novel, ‘Picture Imperfect,’ a captivating follow-up to her 1999 classic, ‘The Illustrated Mum.’ At a special event in Manchester’s HOME Theatre on August 26, Wilson engaged in conversation with Dani Harmer, famous for her role as Tracy Beaker, exploring the creative depths behind her storytelling.
Wilson revealed how she becomes fully immersed in her characters, often feeling “possessed” by them as she writes, supported by extensive research that breathes life and authenticity into her stories. ‘Picture Imperfect’ revisits the world through the eyes of Dolphin (Dol), the protagonist from ‘The Illustrated Mum,’ now aged 33. While Dol has channeled her artistic talents into becoming a tattoo artist—paying tribute to her mother Marigold through her ink—her sister Star has pursued a medical career. The novel delves deeply into family dynamics, exploring the sacrifices made for loved ones as Marigold navigates her fifties with personal challenges that have deeply affected Dol’s ability to focus on her own life.
During the discussion, Jacqueline also spoke fondly of her long-standing collaboration with illustrator Nick Sharratt, who shaped much of the visual identity of her earlier works. However, Wilson explained that the pandemic prompted a shift as Nick chose to prioritize his personal projects after nearly 30 years working together. Now, Rachael Dean has taken over as illustrator, and Wilson praised her as “equally talented,” especially in handling her recent adult novels which have moved away from character-focused artwork.
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Amidst this conversation, Wilson spontaneously proposed a thrilling idea that has her fans buzzing: a reunion of beloved characters from their childhood. Specifically, she mentioned involving Nick Sharratt again to design some of the tattoos described in ‘Picture Imperfect,’ connecting past and present in a nostalgic nod to longtime readers. Fans of ‘The Illustrated Mum’ will recall the vivid portrayal of Marigold’s tattoos late in the original book, illustrated by Sharratt himself.
This creative bridge between Wilson’s early and current works, through Sharratt’s iconic illustrations, promises an extraordinary fusion of storytelling and art—a reunion that supporters would eagerly welcome. Jacqueline Wilson’s enthusiasm for this idea suggests exciting possibilities for the beloved worlds she continues to craft.