Books › What It Is › Books like it
If you loved
Books like What It Is
A vibrant, chaotic scrapbook of memories and prompts that coaxes your inner child out of hiding and hands them a paintbrush. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with What It Is.
- nostalgic
- inspiring
- dreamlike
- visually chaotic
- 01
Syllabus
Lynda Barry
A vibrant, chaotic permission slip to make a mess and rediscover the pure joy of putting pen to paper.
- 02
One! Hundred! Demons!
Lynda Barry
A chaotic, collage-filled exorcism of childhood memories that blurs the line between truth and fiction to get at the messy heart of growing up.
- 03
Making Comics
Scott McCloud · 2006
An immersive, visual masterclass in storytelling that feels like a passionate conversation with a brilliant mentor.
- 04
Understanding Comics
Scott McCloud · 1994
A playful, mind-expanding masterclass in visual storytelling that fundamentally changes how you look at art, time, and human communication.
- 05
Wreck this journal
Keri Smith
A tactile, rule-breaking invitation to destroy your way into uninhibited creativity.
- 06
Art matters
Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell
A rallying cry for the imagination, urging readers to transform their lives through the power of creativity.
- 07
El Deafo
Cece Bell
A warm, funny, and deeply relatable graphic memoir about turning what makes you different into your greatest superpower.
- 08
Cat Kid Comic Club
Dav Pilkey
A wildly inventive, laugh-out-loud celebration of making messy art and finding your own creative voice.
- 09
Steal like an artist
Austin Kleon
A pocket-sized permission slip to stop worrying about being a genius and just start making things.
- 10
Share Your Smile
Raina Telgemeier
A warm, interactive invitation to turn your own memories and imagination into comic book magic.
- 11
Rosalie Lightning
Tom Hart
A heart-breaking yet beautiful graphic journey through the depths of parental grief toward a fragile, hard-won hope.
- 12
Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction
Jeff VanderMeer
A spectacularly beautiful, visually driven masterclass that energizes the creative spirit while grounding it in practical craft.
