Creators: Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Noelle Stevenson, Brooklyn Allen
Writers: Nicole Andelfinger, Brittney Williams, Seanan McGuire, Mari Costa, Liz Prince, Shannon Watters
Artists: Maddi Gonzalez, Brittney Williams, Alexa Bosy, Mari Costa, Kat Leyh, Sarah Stern, Ariana Maher, Jim Campbell, Brooklyn Allen, Maarta Laiho, Aubrey Aiese
Series: Lumberjanes
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Released: April 2020
Received: Own

Lumberjanes: Campfire Songs is a collection of stories following out favorite cabin ever, the Roanokes. There are six stories in this collection in total. A Midsummer Night’s Scheme, A Pondering Mystery, Somewhere That’s Green, Weather Woes, Some En-Haunted Evening, and A Memory.

Each and every one of these short stories embodies everything that makes the Lumberjanes so magical and wonderful. Of course, having our favorite characters (Jo, April, Molly, Mal, Ripley, and Jen) certainly doesn’t hurt things either.

First, the campers battle glitter and make fairy allies (as is the Lumerjanes way), then Ripley disappears (or does she?). Next up the campers find some strange new friends, with particularly green thumbs. After that, a generator must be fixed, or friends will cry. If that wasn’t enough for you (and our campers) there’s still a murder mystery party to contend with, and a blast to the past, with two beloved leaders taking center stage.

Lumberjanes: Campfire Songs is a fun series of short stories from this world. None of them are connected to each other, unless you count the main characters as the common thread, that is. It’s a fun reminder that this summer went on longer than average, and brought with it plenty of adventures.

Naturally, as a huge Lumerjanes fan, I adored each and every one of these comics. That being said, I obviously had favorites. Somewhere That’s Green is probably the best, in my mind. But that might be my bias showing (I adore anything written by Seanan McGuire).

First, there’s A Midsummer Night’s Scheme – which is an amazing title, btw. The Lumberjanes are having another fun party (they seem to have many of those), and once again it’s an excuse for them to meet and make new friends. It’s short, sweet, and feels like the main series in many ways.

Following that is A Pondering Mystery. This is another fun one-shot, in a way that only the Lumberjanes can provide. It’s a strong reminder of the portals that seem to pop up all over the place, and the chaos they bring with them. It’s super short, but that’s okay.

Next up is my favorite (as already mentioned), Somewhere That’s Green. I love the botanical theme of this story, as well as the inclusion of even more (!) kittens. It’s perfect, in that sense. Ripley’s reaction is so pure as well.

Weather Woes is another extremely quick one-shot. This one brings some famous friends of the Lumberjanes, and is in general just cute and sweet.

Some En-Haunted Evening is the second to last short in this collection, and it’s a bit out there, even by Lumberjanes standards. Still, it is also a ton of fun, and as with the rest, is a quick and entertaining read.

I really enjoyed A Memory, as I’ve always been dying to know more about Rosie and the counterparts from her time as camp. I don’t think that’s just me either, as fans have been pretty receptive to any and all news on that front.

With it all listed out like that, it’s really no wonder that I found Lumberjanes: Campfire Songs to be the entertaining graphic novel I keep touting it as.