The Whole Wide World of Mabel Mulligan: A Graphic Novel

by Victoria Jamieson

Genres: Graphic Novels, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Family, Friendship, Middle Grade

256 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication October 6, 2026

Reviews

[Professor Cindy Judd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nine-year-old Mabel is having a summer full of changes. She just finished 3rd grade and is looking forward to a summer spent with her stuffed animal best friends and in her favorite tree. However, she notices her mom is getting sick a lot and overhears her parents talking about hospitals and bills. Then, her parents tell her they are converting the attic into a bedroom for her way sooner than they had originally planned. She also overhears her dad telling her mom that he wishes she would get outside and play sports with kids her age rather than spending all of her time with her stuffed animals. Top all of that off with having to help take care of her younger sister Pearl who is driving her crazy. This summer is just not turning out the way she had hoped.

The author does a great job of describing the struggles of kids who are going through changes and trying to figure out how to adapt. Tough issues for kids, like having a stepparent, anticipating a new baby arriving, transitioning from being a little kid to a big kid, religion, friendship, and other themes are part of the story. Mabel's conflicting feelings are presented mostly through her own thoughts along with dialogue with her stuffed animals. Pearl is depicted as the perfect "bratty" younger sibling while also having her moments where Mabel appreciates her. The parents are presented as flawed but honest and loving.

I think many young readers will relate to Mabel and her struggles and will really enjoy the art.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mabel hates sports, and that seems like all kids her age are interested in. She would rather hang out with her stuffed animals. Think Calvin and Hobbs, but not quite as crazy. She has a baby sister she shares a bedroom with, and wants to build a tree house in the maple tree outside her window.


She overhears her father saying that he wishes she had more friends and played sports, and stopped playing with her stuffed animals. This hurts her feelings. And when she learns she is going to have a baby brother, she feels as though she is being replaced with a boy that can eventually take over the family construction business.


Very likable nine-year-old. She feels all the feelings. And we feel them along with her. Her stuffed animals are wise, and give her good advice. Her sister is a terror, but in a weirdly likable way.


This book is for all the oldest sisters who have to deal with parents who think they should grow up before they are ready to. And for those who aren’t ready to give up their stuffed friends, to fit in.


Enjoyable. As an adult, they dropped all the hints that her mother was pregnant, but for a kid reading it, they would be as clueless as Mabel.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out on the 6th of October 2026.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read a free ARC on NetGalley.
Very cute story about Mabel Mulligan, a nine year old girl who is experiencing lots of changes during the summer before she starts 4th grade. Her mom is having a new baby, her dad thinks she should stop playing with her stuffies and make human friends, and her little sister Pearl is an adorable menace. She is also getting her own room in the attic which is the family’s summer project. Her stuffies, Badger and Snowball, try their best to help her adjust to all of the changes.
The story is relatable, the characters are well developed and the illustrations are great. It seems to be the start of a new graphic novel series so I’m excited to read the next one.
This exchange stuck with me:
Mabel: “If no one can tell me how to grow up, how do I know if I’m doing it right?”
Mom: “I guess a good rule of thumb is…be nice to people and do things that make you happy.”

[Dolores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Edelweiss for the arc. Mabel has just finished third grade and is looking forward to the big summer project that her family tackles every year. Their house is old, and her Dad and Grandpa are builders, so there is always something. She hopes it's a treehouse this year! But, it turns out to be cleaning out the attic and her mother's art studio. Her parents plan to move her into a bedroom in the creepy old attic--and where is her mother going to paint? Something is definitely up. To make matters worse, her dad is pressuring her to leave her stuffed animals behind and make "real" friends. But Mabel prefers the company of her stuffies. Does that make her weird? Absolutely adorable, with laugh-out-loud moments.

[Jessi - TheRoughCutEdge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Graphic Novel
Rating: 4 stars from me 5 stars from my daughter
Pub day: October 6

This was a read aloud with my 9 year old daughter and it was an really wonderful graphic novel. Most of the illustrations were a win except for the scary baby doll, my daughter couldn’t even look at it, I had to read the parts with scary baby on the pages.

As for the story we both loved all the subjects the author tackles, like what growing up means, getting to choose your own religious path and beliefs, and how important it is to talk about your feelings. It did end a little abruptly which my daughter ranted about. lol Clearly we’ll be reading the next in the series!

Thanks to Penguin Young Readers Group, Dial Books, and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Hope Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mabel does not like change, and although her parents are working very hard to minimize the harshness of change for her, it is coming full steam ahead. Mabel is nervous and much prefers her stuffed animals (who the reader is asked to see as much alive as she does) in lieu of real people for friends. She is alerted to the changes ahead when she overhears a conversation between her parents sharing their concerns about her and said mysterious future changes. This throws Mabel into a world of anxiety as she misinterprets she of the conversation.

Lovely middle to upper elementary title. I'm very excited to introduce this one to my elementary students. Lots of picture support make this a great book for new chapter book readers.

[SL · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Cheryl Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming and funny, with lots of sibling drama in the tradition of the Ramona books and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. Victoria Jamieson is excellent at what she does.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got an Arc copy from netgalley. Cute story of a family of four. The feelings of a 9 year old girl is fun and imaginative. Definitely recommend for 7-10 year olds.