Lumberjanes, Volume 1: Beware the Kitten Holy by Noelle Stevenson focuses on the adventures of five girls who are attending a camp for “Hard-Core Lady Types” who face increasingly bizarre threats and mysteries. Cute, fast-paced and energetic, this graphic novel is a mix of science-fiction and fantasy, with a hint of magic realism. The chapters are introduced with pages out of the Lumberjanes Field Manual For the Intermediate Program, creating both a nostalgic atmosphere for the ‘ideal American summercamp’ and tension between past and present expectations for girls. Dealing with three-eyed foxes, secretive camp leaders, river monsters, yetis and the “Scouting Lads from Mr Theodore Larquin Reginald Lancelot Herman Crump’s Camp for Boys”, these five hard-core lady-types can always fall back on their invaluable Lumberjanes’ training to see them through.
This graphic novel’s art is cartoon-like, used to great comedic effect, and doesn’t shy away from a bold colour-palette. The best way to approach this kind of book is to approach it the way you did cartoons when you were a kid: just go with it and don’t ask too many questions. You’re guaranteed to have a lot of fun. Those of you who are known to enjoy an episode or two of Gravity Falls, Adventure Time, Steven Universe or Over the Garden Wall should definitely give this a try and if you haven’t even heard of these shows yet, you’re welcome.
Winner of 2015 Eisner Awards and on the 2015 New York Times Bestselling Series list, Lumberjanes is also available in the David Wilson Library, in the Educational Resources Section on the first floor, check the catalogue for more information.
