The Princess Diaries: The Graphic Novel by Meg Cabot

Hi my fellow bookworms,

(c) Macmillan Publishers, 2026

Happy Meg Cabot Day! According to Bloomington, Indiana, on July 15, 2004, it has been proclaimed that July 31st will be known as "Meg Cabot Day," as a celebration of her return to Bloomington. Every year since then, Ms. Cabot has been celebrated. This is a great year to celebrate, as she has quite a few new items coming out! Her new graphic novel based on the first The Princess Diaries book, an adult witchy rom-com titled The Magic We Made, a middle school graphic novel titled Detective Baby, a reissue of the fun When Lightning Strikes book titled Vanished, and another fun adult romance titled Kissing Cowboys. What a busy year!

This past summer I was able to meet Meg Cabot, who is one of my favorite authors, at the American Library Association Annual Convention! The convention is an annual meeting of librarians, library staff, vendors, authors, publishers, and more to come together, learn from, teach, and celebrate books and libraries in general! It is a really fun and informative experience. Finding out that Meg Cabot was going to be there in person? An added bonus! I've written posts about her previously, including when I received a signed letter in the mail. This time, I was able to talk to her in person, take a photo, AND receive a copy of her new graphic novel based on the first book in its series, The Princess Diaries: The Graphic Novel. 

Illustrated by Bethany Crandall, this graphic novel is colorful and lively. While it is definitely dedicated to a younger, middle school and early-teen crowd, those who have loved the series over the years will feel a sense of nostalgia while reading. It is definitely be a blast to the past (think early 2000's) for millennials. I may or may not have been listening to The Princess Diaries movie soundtrack while reading. Even so, I know it will draw in a new generation of young readers who will enjoy Princess Mia's journey.

For those new to the series, this is the story of Mia Thermopolis, a tall, frizzy-haired freshman who is struggling through algebra and not the most-popular at her school. She does, however, have a best friend named Lily Moscovitz, and a group of friends in her gifted and talented class. Her cat, Fat Louie, likes to eat socks. Her mom and dad are divorced. Her mom is currently dating her algebra teacher, which makes Mia's life just a little weird (at least to her). Her dad comes back in the picture to let her know that he is not just a politician, but the crown prince of Genovia, and that Mia is next in line for the throne! Thus begins a story of princess lessons, teenage (and Grandmère-related) drama, and an overall fun read. Please note that the Disney movie series has a slightly different plot, so if you haven't read the original series, you may be surprised by the differences! 

I highly recommend The Princess Diaries: The Graphic Novel for middle school ages and up! Especially for those who wanted to be a princess growing up. :)

In line waiting to meet Meg Cabot!!
(c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger), 2026

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About the Author: Meg Cabot

(c) Meg Cabot, 2026

Meg Cabot was born in Bloomington, Indiana during the Chinese astrological year of the Fire Horse, a notoriously unlucky sign, but learned at an early age that a good storyteller can always give herself a happy ending. Her 100+ books for both adults and tweens/teens have included multiple #1 New York Times bestsellers, selling over twenty-five million copies worldwide. Her Princess Diaries series has been published in more than 38 countries, and despite being made into multiple feature films by Disney, has been banned in multiple school libraries in the United States due to its message of female empowerment. Meg’s numerous other award-winning books include The Mediator series, The Witches of West Harbor series, and Avalon High, the later of which was made into a film for Disney Channel. Meg Cabot (her last name rhymes with habit, as in “her books can be habit forming”) currently lives in Key West with her husband and various cats.

About the Illustrator: Bethany Crandall

(c) Bethany Crandall, 2026

Bethany Crandall is an Illustrator and designer based in Burbank California. Bethany has worked illustrating children’s books and illustrating for magazines. She has also worked doing designs for children’s television. Bethany studied at Brigham Young University Idaho and graduated with a bachelor of fine arts in illustration. She enjoys drawing and reading. You can follow her on social media at https://www.instagram.com/bethanycrandallart/?hl=en. You can contact her at bethanycrandallart@gmail.com. 

My Hands Tell a Story by Kelly Starling Lyons, Illustrated by Tonya Engel

Hello my fellow bookworms!

Today is the day where you can play Green Day's song "Wake Me Up When September Ends" and wake up to a new month! Happy early October!

Photograph by Kelly Starling Lyons & Tonya Engel (c) 2022 Reycraft Books

Today, I would like to bring notice to a beautiful picture book I found out about through the ALA Annual Conference this past summer! I was lucky enough to be able to get a signed copy by both the author and illustrator. This is a charming story that I will keep sharing with my family and friends.

My Hands Tell a Story, written by Kelly Starling Lyons, and illustrated by Tonya Engel, is a beautiful picture book for children. It starts with a grandmother and granddaughter named Zoe baking cinnamon bread from scratch. The granddaughter wonders if she will ever be as good at the baking process as her grandmother. What starts as making bread and bonding becomes a glimpse into the grandmother's life and all the things she has done that has helped her to where she is today.

A colorful and wonderfully drawn story, this is one you will want to read with your family and little ones. The story has an emphasis on family and preserving in your endeavors. A great read, especially with Thanksgiving coming up. I highly recommend it! 

Thank you to both Ms. Starling Lyons and Ms. Engel for sharing their story and providing me with a signed copy! I will treasure it always.  

About the Author: Kelly Starling Lyons

Like Zoe, author Kelly Starling Lyons grew up baking with her grandma. Now, she celebrates those special moments in stories. Kelly has written many acclaimed children's books, including Caldecott Honor winner Going Down Home with Daddy, Christopher Award winner Tiara's Hat Parade, and Geisel Honor winner Ty's Travels: Zip, Zoom. She is a teaching artist and a founding member of The Brown Bookshelf. Kelly lives in North Carolina with her family.
 

 

About the Illustrator: Tonya Engel

Tonya Engel is a self-taught artist born in Texas and has established studios in New York, Miami, Austin and Houston where she now resides. Heavily influenced by folk artists of the Deep south, Harlem renaissance as well as Mark Chagall, Frida Kahlo and Romare Beardon, Tonya’s illustrations speak to image, identity and relationships. Meshing decorative elements, oils and occasional collage with emotional content, the subjects are mainly women with contemplative faces implying a dream world that invites our interpretations. Engel’s personal, autobiographical work can be found in public and private collections around the world. She has been the recipient of many awards including a three-month residency in Paris, France.

ALA Annual Conference Update

Hello my fellow bookworms!

This month has come and gone in a flash. Anything that I thought was going to happen did, but not the way I expected. In short, I wish I had more time for things, but you take what you can get. 

As mentioned in my last post, I was able to visit the ALA Annual Conference this past week in Washington, D.C. Due to a family emergency, I did not stay the entire time I expected to, but, my short excursion was an informative and fun experience overall. I was able to meet some authors, receive free books, see different publishers, learn what was happening in the publishing and library world, and much more. If you are able to attend the conference next year, do so! 

Here are some photos from my trip, including the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and some of the exhibitions from above: 

(c) 2022 A.P., Once Upon A Book Blog(ger)

(c) 2022 A.P., Once Upon A Book Blog(ger)

(c) 2022 A.P., Once Upon A Book Blog(ger)

A few authors and illustrators signed books for me during the conference. I would like to feature them this year, but have not yet had time to appreciate and read their works yet. Look out for more posts after I catch up on my homework for my summer class! I'm hoping to have a book binge fest this week to celebrate Independence Day here in the states. What are you guys up to this summer? Let me know in the comments! Happy Independence Day to those who celebrate!

Until next time - Happy Reading! :)