What It Is by Lynda Barry Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of What It Is
Book Review: Great resource
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great resource for the English teacher. (I am one.) It would also make a lovely gift for a teen, pre-teen, or adult of any age who is interested in writing, or who SHOULD be interested in writing. My 11 year old wanted to do the exercises in this book. Just looking at her space for lists or doodles--the blank space floating in her interesting sea of artwork--makes you want to fill it in.Book Review: Help me, Magic Cephalopod!
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't think I've ever sat down and read straight through a book of writing exercises. And, at a very basic level, that's what "What It Is" is. And I sat down and read through the whole thing, while taking time to digest it. It's about writing, drawing, images, memory, creativity, a magic cephalopod, and Lynda Barry's life. All done on a yellow legal pad of paper.
This is a great book for anyone who's ever felt stuck writing or drawing (or just in the creative process). Barry's collage work in the first half of the book gets you to ask yourself questions about imagery and memory. The second half has writing exercises and tips for how to make more for yourself. They're excellent and I can't wait to start using them. It's also probably the only time I'll ever cry over instructions for a writing exercise.
If there's anything that takes away from the book, it's that I wanted to see more about Barry's life. The short passages about her childhood and education are very interesting, but take up only a small portion of the book. It's somewhat depressing to hear that her comics became such a source of concern/depression for her, but I can understand that feeling of it becoming work and the pressure to only make "good" art. And I love her moments where she's talking with her husband and thinking of all the stuff she forgets, but goes over conversation she had years ago where she said awful things.
Okay, that's my awkward ending... go read this book.
Book Review: I bought two!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this book as a gift for my sister. She had picked it out and said she wanted it for an art class she is teaching. I am not an artist, but I still love this book. I bought one for myself as soon as I had some extra money. I can't wait to get it.Book Review: I don't get it.
Summary: 2 Stars
My godparents got this book as a gift for me,
and I honesty have no clue what this is supposed to be about.
the drawings slightly disconcert me as well.
I'm still not exactly sure what it's supposed to be. ._.
Book Review: IT is versitle!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is not simply for fun. I plan to use it as a tool to teach composition to high-school students. On the surface, it might seem quite chaotic, with its scattered and bewildering illustrations and text. Upon further examination, the method behind the madness is revealed. Barry takes a very creative approach to exploring metacognative concepts and applies the product to a sequential and orderly system for composition. Through the zany imagery of this book, the reader is eventually lead to a deeper connection with personal thoughts, memories, imagination and creativity. Finally, detailed steps are presented for turning those thoughts into flowing composition. Barry takes a typically dry, boring topic (composition) and presents it in a fascinating style. The text and graphics are bold and intriguing. IT breaks the mold in (a)typical Lynda Barry style.