New Books Network — Detailed Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: New Books Network — Children’s Literature Channel
Host: Mel Rosenberg
Guest: Ziggy Hanaor (author & publisher, Cicada Books)
Feature: Life (As We Know It) (Cicada Books, 2025)
Date: November 8, 2025

This episode features an in-depth and lively conversation with Ziggy Hanaor, discussing her new nonfiction children’s book Life (As We Know It). The episode delves into the book’s unique lyrical take on evolution, the challenges and philosophy of independent publishing, the interplay of illustration and text, and Ziggy’s background as both a writer and a publisher known for taking creative risks in children’s literature.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. About the Book: "Life (As We Know It)"

(03:28–05:22, 05:39–08:15)

• Lyrical Nonfiction:
  Ziggy describes the book as “a story of evolution from the very beginning until today,” written in a poetic style that captures “the incredible miracle of life” and illustrated by Cristóbal Schmal, lending vibrancy and visual metaphor to the text.

  “It's basically a story of evolution from the very beginning until today. But it's written in quite a lyrical style, so it sort of captures the poetry, which is the kind of like incredible miracle of life.”
  — Ziggy Hanaor, 03:29

• Readings — Opening & Ending:
  Ziggy reads the evocative opening, which frames the birth of the universe as a “singular point, 10 zillion times smaller than a grain of sand.”
  The host encourages Ziggy to read the book’s bold ending, which moves through human impact on the planet, acknowledges uncertainty and cosmic mystery, and pointedly avoids simplistic reassurance for young readers.

  “Next, the changes will keep happening. The atmosphere will warm and glaciers will melt and sea levels will rise, but the Earth will continue spinning... Life on the planet will change too. Some life will disappear, but then more life will appear.”
  — Ziggy Hanaor (reading), 07:00

• Philosophical and Honest Tone:
  The host praises the book for tackling big themes—death, renewal, climate change—with candor rare in books for ages 6–12, calling Ziggy’s approach “gutsy” and “philosophical” (08:15).

2. On Courage and Independent Publishing

(08:28–11:06)

• Taking Risks:
  Ziggy credits her ability to take creative risks to her position as both publisher and owner of Cicada Books:

  “It's my company, so nobody's going to stop me. And that's an amazing position of privilege. I take it really seriously... I have a responsibility to take risks both on illustration and content.”
  — Ziggy Hanaor, 08:51–09:19

• Balancing Creativity and Business:
  While creative choices are hers, financial realities can’t be ignored: “Sales are obviously really important… but ultimately the buck stops with me.”
  — 09:19–10:15

• Commitment to Nonconformity:
  Host Mel notes that most small publishers “try and go for the convergence,” while Ziggy’s books “challenge children to be young scientists” and think existentially (10:15).

3. Ziggy’s Background and Journey

(11:16–14:28)

• Personal History:
  Raised by an academic father and librarian mother, Ziggy grew up without a TV, reading voraciously and cultivating a passion for visual art, though she ended up studying drama. She lived in Israel, England, and the US, and began her career in script editing before moving into art/design publishing.

• Founding Cicada Books:
  Ziggy left traditional publishing to create her own company while raising her children, focusing on books at her own pace and vision. Her shift to children’s illustration coincided with Instagram’s transformative effect on the global illustration community.

  “I was doing one or two books a year and then it sort of gradually picked up and I really wanted to work with illustrators... the world of illustration is something that I feel like I instinctively connect to.”
  — Ziggy Hanaor, 12:36–13:07

4. Publisher-Led by Illustration — The Creative Process

(14:28–18:17)

• Illustrator-First Publishing:
  Ziggy describes Cicada’s rare model where illustrators are often the creative starting point. She seeks artists whose work inspires her, then collaboratively develops book projects around their interests and strengths.

  “I find illustrators whose work I really love... I set up a Zoom... What’s the book that you want to do?”
  — Ziggy Hanaor, 14:48–15:16

• Nonfiction and Fiction Projects:
  About half of Cicada’s 8–10 annual books are nonfiction (“bread and butter”), often developed with input from writers and consultants, always in dialogue with illustrators.

• Author-Editorial Role:
  Ziggy is a deeply involved editor for both illustration and narrative—even in projects where illustrators don’t write the text.

• Example:
  Cites successful book Grand Hotel Feeling by Lidia Brankovic and Sven Volker, noting its translation into 26 languages (17:14).

5. The Creation of "Life (As We Know It)"

(18:20–22:40)

• Genesis of the Book:
  Began as a more traditional nonfiction project (Stones and Bones) about fossils, which inspired Ziggy’s fascination with the story of evolution. She found herself telling the story as a concise, poetic narrative at a party and, “as I was telling it, I was like, this is a story... I went home that night and I wrote it.” (21:33)

• Collaboration with Illustrator:
  Unsure if the concept was “too ambitious,” Ziggy shared it with Cristóbal Schmal, who was immediately enthusiastic.

6. Approach to Difficult Themes and Honesty with Children

(22:40–24:31)

• Rejecting Simplification and False Comfort:
  Ziggy states firmly that she resists “books that preach” or give “false reassurance,” especially around environmental issues.

  “What I don’t want to say is it’s all going to be fine.”
  — Ziggy Hanaor, 23:37

  “I have no interest in lying to children because children know when they’re being lied to... It’s really important to give children what facts we have, which is: this is happening... The world is bigger than us. We are just... nothing.”
  — Ziggy Hanaor, 23:37–24:31

7. Other Writings and Projects: "Alte Zachen" & More

(25:28–33:28)

• Alte Zachen

  • Written for PJ Library, the book follows a crabby old Jewish lady (“Bubby”) and her grandson in New York. It explores intergenerational perspectives, heritage, and memory.
  • Initially rejected by PJ Library, it eventually found life with illustrator Ben Phillips, gaining critical acclaim.

  “She’s a really cantankerous, grumpy old lady... basically the city is not as she remembers it... her grandson... accepts the city in a kind of very wide-eyed kind of way.”
  — Ziggy Hanaor, 27:41–28:27

• Connection to Memory & Identity:
  The book is an amalgam of lived experience, family stories, and memory, similar to many of Ziggy and Mel’s works, often exposing subconscious autobiographical threads.

• Graphic Novels and New Projects:

  • Continuing focus on illustration-led, often experimental books, including teen graphic novels (Everything Amplified).

8. Being a Small Boutique Publisher

(33:56–36:19)

• Selective and Hands-On:
  Cicada Books publishes just eight titles per year, led by Ziggy and one other staff member. The company prioritizes hand-drawn illustration, collaborative development, and rarely takes writer submissions unless an idea is truly outstanding. “Your chances are less than one in a zillion... however, every grain of sand came from somewhere interesting.” (35:10)

9. Advice for Authors and Illustrators

(36:22–38:39)

• On Writing:
  Ziggy offers little universal advice, noting that process is deeply personal; her own is rapid and intuitive, while others are slower and methodical.

• On Illustration:
  Acknowledging the challenges and low odds of breaking in, Ziggy says,

  “Illustration is like music... If you want to make music, you’re going to make music… even if you’re not making money from it.”
  — Ziggy Hanaor, 37:48

  Many illustrators maintain other day jobs but keep their artistic drive alive; Ziggy’s admiration for them is heartfelt.

10. AI and Publishing: Tools & Boundaries

(39:01–40:21)

• Embracing AI Cautiously:
  Despite being “old school,” Ziggy admits to using ChatGPT as a junior editorial assistant, rephrasing and brainstorming, but is skeptical of its trustworthiness and flatly refuses to use AI for illustration:

  “For me, that would be a terrible betrayal of the fundamentals… Never for illustration. No way.”
  — Ziggy Hanaor, 40:10

11. Personal Notes and Name Revelation

(40:21–40:50)

• Name Origin:
  Ziggy reveals her real name is “Sigal,” which means “Cicada” in French, tying into her company’s name (40:31–40:37).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Risk and Responsibility:

  “I have a responsibility to take risks both on illustration and content.”
  — Ziggy Hanaor, 09:19

• On Honesty with Young Readers:

  “I have no interest in lying to children because children know when they're being lied to.”
  — Ziggy Hanaor, 23:52

• On Being a Boutique Publisher:

  “Your chances are less than one in a zillion... but every grain of sand came from somewhere interesting.”
  — Mel Rosenberg, 35:10

• On AI in Art:

  “Never for illustration. No way.”
  — Ziggy Hanaor, 40:21

Key Timestamps

| Segment | Topic | |---------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:28–05:22 | Book introduction & lyrical reading | | 05:39–08:15 | Dramatic reading of the book's ending | | 08:28–11:06 | On taking risks as a publisher | | 11:16–14:28 | Ziggy’s upbringing and journey into publishing | | 14:28–18:17 | The illustrator-led creative process at Cicada | | 18:20–22:40 | How "Life (As We Know It)" was created | | 22:40–24:31 | The importance of honest storytelling for children | | 25:28–33:28 | “Alte Zachen” and other works—identity, memory, community | | 33:56–36:19 | Boutique publishing: selection and advice | | 36:22–38:39 | Guidance for writers and illustrators | | 39:01–40:21 | ChatGPT and AI: practical use and ethical lines | | 40:21–40:50 | Personal revelations and connecting name to imprint |

Episode’s Essence & Tone

The conversation is warm, candid, and playful—marked by mutual admiration, humor, and deep respect for children’s literature and illustration. Mel Rosenberg celebrates Ziggy’s “guts” and unique voice, while Ziggy speaks with humility and clarity about the creative risks, business acumen, and ethical considerations that define her publishing journey. The episode is inspiring for anyone interested in literature that trusts children’s intelligence and curiosity, embraces discomfort, and values artistry above market predictability.

Recommended For:
Aspiring authors and illustrators, independent publishers, educators, and anyone interested in honest, artistically-driven children’s nonfiction.

“Life (As We Know It)” and Cicada Books challenge kids (and adults) to marvel at the universe without skipping its mysteries, messiness, or responsibility—one lyrical, risky page at a time.