A Woman’s Brush

Notable women are recognized and celebrated during Women's History Month every March.  The St. Tammany Parish Libraries have a vast collection of books published by women authors and illustrators, and this article will highlight some of the women who create comics and graphic novels.  This article will specifically focus on titles from our young adult and general non-fiction collections.

Titles with an asterisk (*) signify an item available on Hoopla.  Hoopla's collection is subject to change every month.  Titles available at the time of this article's publication may not be available in the future.  Please contact your local library branch for more information.

From the young adult collection, we have--

What It Is
A collage of drawing and writing, guidance and self-reflection, Lynda Barry's book explores creativity and imagination in an interesting visual mishmash.

Lumberjanes
Created by Brooklyn A. Allen, Grace Ellis, Noelle Stevenson, and Shannon Watters.  This ongoing comic series features five friends who stumble upon supernatural events while attending summer camp.  Lumberjanes has won the Will Eisner Award for Best Publication for Teens in 2015, and it is available to check out in your local library branch and Hoopla.

Persepolis
Marjane Satrapi's notable memoir tells an intimate account of growing up in Iraq during the overthrow of the Shah's regime and the aftermath of the Islamic Revolution.  This is the first of two volumes, both of which have been adapted to an animated feature.

This One Summer
Rose and Windy's summer becomes more curious in this coming of age story about secrets, heartache, and solidarity.  This collaboration between cousins Mariko and Jillian Tamaki won the Will Eisner Award for New Graphic Album and the Caldecott Honors Medal in 2015.  It is the first graphic novel to receive a Caldecott Honors.

Smile
Raina Telgemeier's account of her adolescence and orthodontic struggles are penned in a humorous book about growing up and settling into a new identity.  Smile received the Will Eisner Award for Best Publication for Teens in 2011 and has a follow-up novel published in 2014.

From general non-fiction, we have--

The Complete Wimmen's Comix*
A collection of short comics created by various artists during the advent of underground comix in the 1960s-70s. This anthology covers topics that were (and some still) controversial but needed addressing by the nation's counterculture.

Fun Home
A notable memoir, Alison Bechdel's graphic novel covers her investigation of her father's sudden passing and explores the inner conflict she experienced while trying to discover her own identity. This book has been adapted into a musical that won five Tony awards in 2015, including Best Musical.

Femina & Fauna*
A comprehensive art book displaying the works of Camilla D'Errico--painter, comic artist, and designer.

Monkey Food
Ellen Forney's series about growing up in the age of disco is collected into this single volume.

And finally, a recommended related book on this subject--
She Changed Comics*
A comprehensive history of women who made comics, the limitations they fought in their time, and the current state of comicking in the United States.

 For more related Women's History book lists, please visit our lists that cover newer titles for the juvenile collection, a general non-fiction collection, and books focused on Susan B. Anthony.