Surprisingly poignantly written, sometimes shocking, but ultimately very life-affirming, this story was recognized in England as the best children's book of 2000. The heroine of the story, Dolphin, believes that her red-haired and green-eyed mother Marigold, painted from head to toe with a magnificent tattoo, is the best mom in the world. She only wishes that Marigold would not spend all night partying and going to pubs and would return home sober. But Star, Dol’s older sister, is no longer sure that Marigold is a good mother. She loves her too, but sometimes she simply cannot cope with the situation - she is tired of being responsible for herself, and for her sister, and for their unlucky mother.