Lynda Barry’s What It Is: Rediscovering creativity and the magic of imagination

Discovering the Power of Imagination Through Lynda Barry’s What It Is

I’m absolutely loving Lynda Barry’s book What It Is. It’s a profound exploration of creativity, imagination, and the wonder of seeing the world through a child’s eyes. Barry’s writing and illustrations invite us to reconnect with that magical space where art, play, and the imagination come alive.

One passage in particular stands out to me:

“When I was little… I would hold myself as still as I could and make my eyes like a toy’s eyes that don’t move and I would wait. I would wait for the other things in the room to forget about me and begin to move…I knew I had to be patient and wait for a very long time…I believed there was another world that would show itself to me in the smallest ways. The gray kitten in the picture by my bed would accidentally blink his eyes. The girl in the picture would breathe….Something can only become an illusion after disillusionment. Before that, it is something real. But what caused the disillusionment?…What is an Image? At the center of everything we call ‘the arts’ and children call ‘play,’ is something which seems somehow alive.”

This passage captures the essence of imagination as something alive, something that breathes life into the world around us. As children, we instinctively inhabit this space of playful creativity. We wait, we watch, and we see magic in the smallest details—a picture blinking, a toy coming to life, or a room full of objects quietly revealing their mysteries.

The Role of Disillusionment in Creativity

Barry also touches on something we all experience as we grow older: disillusionment. She writes, “Something can only become an illusion after disillusionment.” What once felt real and alive—our connection to imagination and play—can fade as we take on the rigid frameworks of adulthood.

But the beauty of Barry’s work is her reminder that imagination never truly disappears. It’s always there, waiting for us to reconnect with it. The act of creating—whether through writing, drawing, storytelling, or any form of expression—allows us to rediscover this living force.

What Is an Image?

Barry’s question, “What is an Image?” points to something central to creativity and play. Images, whether in our minds or on a page, are more than static objects. They carry a life force. At the heart of all the arts—and what children naturally call play—is this sense of aliveness.

This book inspires me to reflect on the ways we engage with the world and how we can reclaim our sense of wonder and creative play. Lynda Barry reminds us that imagination is not just for children—it’s a vital part of how we see, create, and live.

Why What It Is Matters

For anyone seeking to reconnect with their creativity, What It Is offers profound insights and a playful guide. It reminds us that the world is full of magic when we have the patience to see it.