Imaginary Friends

Not Just for Kids

They’re more real than you think.

Remember your childhood playmate who didn’t exist—except to you? You’re not alone. In Imaginary Friends: Not Just for Kids, JD Arden takes you on a journey into the secret worlds we carry with us, long after we outgrow the playground.

From talking animals and invisible allies to inner critics and creative muses, Arden explores the astonishing power of the mind to invent, heal, and sometimes haunt. You’ll meet children who build whole kingdoms with their companions, adults who never quite lost their imaginary confidants, and artists who credit invisible friends for their best ideas.

Drawing on science, story, and soul, Arden gently guides you through the bright and shadowy sides of imagination: how fantasy comforts us, why it sometimes turns dark, and what these secret companions say about loneliness, creativity, and the endless search for connection.

If you’ve ever talked to yourself, argued with your inner critic, or wondered where inspiration really comes from, this book will show you: imaginary friends are not just for kids. They’re for anyone who’s ever needed hope, humor, or a hand to hold in the dark.