Emma on Thin Icing: The Graphic Novel

Cupcake Diaries Graphic Novels #3

by Coco Simon, Glass House Graphics (Illustrator)

The bestselling Cupcake Diaries series is now available in graphic novel format! In this adaptation of the third book, Emma’s earning money left and right—but is she in over her head?

When Mia asks the Cupcake Club girls to be junior bridesmaids in her mother’s wedding, everyone is super excited about the idea—especially when they find the perfect dress for the occasion! It’s Emma’s dream dress…except for the price tag. And with her mom recently out of work, there’s not a lot of room at the Taylor house for extra expenses. Not wanting to disappoint her friends, Emma decides to take on a few more jobs and chores around the house to help cover the cost.

Between babysitting her bratty brother, a dog-walking business, flute practice, the Cupcake Club—and oh yeah, being a typical tween girl—Emma may have bitten off more than she can chew. Can she pull of the balancing act and go to Mia’s mom’s wedding in style?

Fun, bright, full-color graphic panels tell the story with the same humor and heart as the original novel.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Childrens, Graphic Novels Comics, Food, Fiction, Young Adult

160 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 24, 2023

About the author

Coco Simon always dreamed of opening a cupcake bakery, but she’s afraid she would eat all the profits. When she’s not daydreaming about cupcakes, Coco edits children’s books and has written close to 100 books for children, tweens, and young adults, which is a lot less than the number of cupcakes she’s eaten. Cupcake Diaries is the first time Coco has mixed her love of cupcakes with writing.

Reviews

[Genres and Journals *Tia* · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this one might be the best out of the series so far. Emma felt the most relatable to me personally out of the girls we’ve been introduced to and so I found her story more enjoyable and memorable than the others.

[em · Rating 4 out of 5]

not only do emma and i share a name, we also put way too much weight on our shoulders and want to make everyone happy, but forget to look after ourselves.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cupcake Diaries is becoming one of my favorite graphic novel series. I love the art style, I love the characters, I love the stories, and I love the cupcakes! I can’t wait to read the next one!

[Asiya Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t like how they changed the style in this word I don’t read it a lot, but I do recommend Mia in the mix

[Mandi with Red Quill Editorial · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as a 3-books-in-1 combo from Costco for my oldest daughter for Christmas. She read them all during Christmas break and asked me to read them too because she loved them so much. The graphics are adorable and depict cute stories about middle school girls with relatable life struggles and experiences (single parents, working parents, blended families, plus all the usual middle school drama and the dynamic of shifting friendships). These girls unite in a new friendship group to form the Cupcake Club where they make cupcakes for special events, turning into a small business. Each of the three books we read focuses on a different girl from the group, highlighting her perspective and experience, but they all shared the uniting theme of friendship conquering all. My 9-year-old daughter felt the topics were incredibly relatable and deep with a realistic but happy ending for each book.

[Diana Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew! That was a stressful plot. So much going on inside Emma's head and I just wanted her to talk to someone! Of course, by the end, we all learn the importance of family, friends, and not keeping secrets.

The girls are getting more independent. Seems like Katie's mom still likes to do the preheating of the oven. Then when they bake at the other houses, there isn't any parental involvement.

The girls need to raise their prices! I predict Alexis will do another cost analysis and figure that out. Or maybe they're using pricing from when the original books were published, and not the $5/dozen eggs of 2023!


*error on page 69- first panel, speech bubble should be on Mia, not Emma.

[Aseel Hadiah ౨ৎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like it. It was a really good book

[AllyP Reads Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because it came across my desk. I'd never read the books so I thought maybe reading one of the graphic novels would be fun. Maybe I should have read a different one. The story focuses on poor Emma feeling like everything is on her when it shouldn't be and she has no one to turn to. She feels responsible for buying an expensive dress for her friend's mom's wedding and this is my biggest issue. It is completely unacceptable for this mom to not clear with Emma's parents what the responsibilities of being a junior bridesmaid would be and establishing what the cost would be. People do have financial constraints and budgets! You can't go around spending their money like that without consulting with them first.
And seriously, these girls are acting like they picked out the most gorgeous dresses ever. But then the artwork depicts the plainest, ugliest dresses. They look like virgin sacrifices in a doomsday cult.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 5yo daughter is enjoying this cute graphic novel series about a group of four cupcake-baking entrepreneurs/friends. The art is colorful and fun. I was surprised at how Emma seemed to bear the weight of the world on her shoulders. The overall effect was isolating and anxiety provoking for much of the book.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book of this series. Apparently, they're also a regular novel, but I'd never heard of them before. In this, Emma is a part of the Cupcake Club, where four girls who have decided to start a cupcake baking business. They're good friends and seem to be doing well (considering this is Volume 3 and it references repeat customers).

Emma's family is experiencing some financial distress as her mother was laid off from her job at the library. She was able to find a job at a bookstore, but the hours are strange and it leaves the kids to try and pick up the slack of cleaning house, making dinner, and tending to the youngest kiddo, Jake. All 3 of the older kids, Emma included, have extracurricular activities or jobs that make it hard to be consistent with scheduling of chores and watching after Jake, which adds stress to Emma's thoughts. She's also stressed because she wants to save for a mixer, but she was invited to be a junior bridesmaid along with the other Cupcake Club girls and she definitely can't afford the dress for the wedding.

Emma has a lot on her plate and it shows through as she is constantly worried and things go awry as she tries to take on dog walking jobs to earn money or more cupcake deliveries. Eventually, she can't handle it all.

This was a hard read because I understand being a kid and worried about money for your family. It can lead to a lot of stress! Emma was upset and worried that her friends were talking about her and they were, but they were worried about her. Eventually, they all chip in to help her get her dress, including her brothers. And her mom mentions how she will be able to be hired back at the library, so it works out in the end.

I think this would be a good series to read for those who like The Babysitter's Club graphic novels.

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good story, at its core, about responsibility and spreading oneself too thin. It's a book 3, but it's easy to pick up without having read books 1 or 2 (or having read them and forgotten, like I tend to do).

The main reason I'm taking off a star is for some reason the slightly different art style on the cover makes me feel like the interior artwork is somewhat "off," although I also feel like the dresses were a bit plain for how they're played up as the MacGuffin, I don't know. (I get that fancy clothing is hard to draw over and over again, really, but I suppose I've been spoiled by Oh My Goddess! with all its fancy clothes and motorcycles, haha...)

Recommended for younger readers old enough for after-school jobs but young enough to still need lessons in time-management. Which, admittedly, could be older readers, too, haha.......

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma's mom lost her job at the library during budget cuts, so she's now working at a bookstore and her hours are throwing the whole family's schedule out of whack. Emma and the two older boys in the family have to take turns taking care of the youngest brother. She's also trying to earn some more money by dog walking since money is tight in the family right now and she wants to buy a mixer. The Cupcake Club's business is taking off so they are meeting more often to fill orders. She's also got her normal homework. And then Mia's mom invites all the girls to be junior bridesmaids and the dress is amazing, but it costs $250. Emma is embarrassed to let the other girls know what is going on and doesn't want to bother her parents with more stress, so she's trying to handle everything on her own. And it is all starting to get a bit much.

This volume has a good lesson on being open and honest with others about struggles, whether parents or friends. It's also a good lesson on taking on too much and how an overbooked schedule means you don't do anything well. This reminded me a bit of Crunch by Miller which also tackles the same topics. I liked that one a teensy bit more than this one, but both are good and provide necessary messages for today's overbooked tweens and teens.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. No violence.

[Sarahs Reads ToKids · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third story in this series follows Emma as she tries to do it all. This story is more about family and how it takes everyone to pitch in and do their part in order for a family to get through a rough patch or a hard time. And if your friends are like family, you should probably be open and honest with them too about what's going on.

While I did like this story, out of the three stories, this was my least favorite one. And while a middle grade reader could read this story on their own and enjoy it, I think it might be better to read as a family book club and then discuss afterwards. Children knowing what their family's expectations for themselves and their siblings are important to know. This story also shows how open communication can really bring a family together so they can tackle one big problem at a time.

The best audience for this story would probably be readers entering an intermediate, middle, or junior high school. But I think any level of middle grade reader would enjoy this story about friendship.

[Sakura · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first read this series when I was younger, I LOVED Emma- she was always my favorite!! I think it's because she dressed like me, walked dogs and had younger siblings, just like I did. Reading it when I'm older is different- but to be honest, I found the plot really relatable! Emma wants to pay for things herself, and not bring anyone else into her problems- when it comes to involving others into my issues, I'm also like this. I think it teaches a great lesson for kids!! I did spot some errors in the book, however- there's a scene where Mia's mouth isn't filled in with white and is just blue, the color of the background behind her, and some more scenes where the word bubbles don't seem to be facing the right person. Regardless, that's not enough to take off a star!! Kids will adore this read.

(This book contains issues like a kid almost riding into the street by mistake. I would give it an age rating of all-ages!!)

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Emma's mom lost her library job and is now working at a bookstore with less than convenient hours. Emma and her two brothers take care of young Jake, but since all three are busy they keep having conflicts. Emma also walks dogs and bakes cupcakes to sell with her friends. And now Mia's mom has invited them to be junior bridesmaids so Emma needs to buy an expensive dress. Emma is getting stretched thin. Her friends think she is no longer interested in Cupcake Club, her dad is angry because she is not caring for Jake, and she takes on too many dogs. Now her nemesis wants to buy the same dress.
While I like how caring her parents are and communicative eventually, this book was a bit confusing at times. I had a difficult time differentiating all the blonde females. It will be interesting to see if these books get borrowed.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story we've all read before, but its entertaining nonetheless. Emma is one of the cupcake club members. Mia's mom is getting married and wants them all to be junior bridesmaids (which I think is a little weird, but lets go with it). She has to buy a $250 dress (SUCH an unreasonable request from the mom!!!) but her mom recently had to get a new job and money is tight. Instead of communicating, she tries to take on all the things. She starts walking dogs, babysitting her brother, etc. I liked the emphasis on a family coming together when times are hard, but the lack of communication was annoying and Mia's mom even asking that of the kids was stupid.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read. Only thing that detracted from it was the concept of an adult making a bunch of kids part of her wedding party and expecting their parents to pay for the dresses without even speaking to them. Glad the story exists though because I’m sure lots of poor kids have been in a situation similar though hopefully not as drastic as this one.

[Shari]

Another excellent addition to this series that BSC fans will enjoy, with themes of responsibility, honesty, and cooperation. I loved that Emma's brothers all helped her out when she needed them, and that her parents saw how their troubles had affected their kids. The art is appealing and the story is sweet and relatable.

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma’s family was tight on money. To help out, she got a job walking dogs. But now it seemed she needed to earn more for a bridesmaid dress. More jobs, more money. But what happens when it gets too much for her to handle? The tasks become overwhelming and the stress gets to be too much. Will Emma find a solution?

A delightfully fun graphic novel with colorful illustrations!

[Cadee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I liked this version, with the graphic novel, better than the chapter book because I got to see all the yummy stuff not just think about it in my head. But both books were really good." -Cadee, age 10

[Heaven Adore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute! I loved how they made some scenes more dramatic compared to the original version. Absolutely fabulous. xD Surprisingly with this one, they actually kept it pretty close to the original, which I wasn't expecting based on the other two. And the illustrations...too precious!

[Fatima · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like this one as much as the others because I found the situations and the main character annoying. I just wanted her to ask for help but she was too stubborn. Then her father just punishes her without even knowing everything she's going through and it was just annoying to read.

[John Hilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome

I love reading the graphic novel and I have two of the cupcake diary books and it was really nice to read the third one!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stories about kids who have too much on their plate always make me feel tired and uncomfortable, and this book wasn't an exception.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friendship.
Asking for help.
Helping others.
Knowing one’s own limits.
Being reasonable.

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great volume. I love that there are real-world problems that these girls are tackling!

[Bekah Stoltzfoos · Rating 5 out of 5]

She had a lot of things on her plate but did it well

[Libby Millar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute storyline with positive messages and characters. Perfect for middle grades!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for a class. Enjoyed!

[PottWab Regional Library]

SM