Ziggy Hanaor – författare

A simple, engaging story introducing ideas of non-binary identities, tolerance and acceptance to very young readers, from the writer of the critically acclaimed picture book, The Pocket Chaotic.Praise for Alex and Alex''What a fun book for illustrating gender fluidity! With its polka dot endpapers and bright primary colors, this cheerful book shows that gender does not matter to good friends''. -- Youth Services Book Review''Need many more books like this one for young children!'' -- Net Galley''Alex and Alex is brilliant in its simplicity. I can't recommend it highly enough!'' -- Picture Book Perfect''What a wonderful book that I think every child making their first steps socially should have read to them''. -- The Great British Bookworm''The lack of gender and deliberate avoidance of stereotypes makes this a useful book to help children think more about what allows people to get along and like each other''. -- School Reading List''Definitely the best book I have come across that sensitively discusses the concept of being non-binary without preaching or taking away from the playful plot for children''.-- The Value's BookshelfAlex and Alex have lots of things in common. They love playing, and dressing up and building things. They also are very different to one another; Alex is very messy and Alex is very tidy, Alex likes running and kicking a ball and Alex likes reading and dreaming. After a trip to the museum goes a little bit awry, Alex and Alex have some cooling off time. But they always make up because Alex really really really really really really REALLY…. likes Alex!This is a book for very young readers introducing ideas of tolerance and friendship in a completely non-gendered way. Neither character is identified as a boy or a girl, and the activities that each one enjoys is a mix of traditional ‘boy’ and ‘girl’ things Aimed at children who are just at the cusp of gender awareness and role-play, it provides a much needed counter-balance to more traditional, binary pre-school literature. Boldly illustrated by Ben Javen.

Winner of the Moira Gemmill Illustrator of the Year Award 2024 Winner of the V&A Illustration for Children Award 2024 Shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration 2023Longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2023 A beautifully illustrated and presented intergenerational graphic novel that follows 11-year-old Benji and his elderly grandmother, Bubbe Rosa, as they traverse Brooklyn and Manhattan, gathering the ingredients for a Friday night dinner. Bubbe’s relationship with the city is complex & nothing is quite as she remembered it and she feels alienated and angry at the world around her. Benji, on the other hand, looks at the world, and his grandmother, with clear-eyed acceptance. As they wander the city, we catch glimpses of Bubbe’s childhood in Germany, her young adulthood in 1950s Brooklyn, and her relationships; first with a baker called Gershon, and later with successful Joe, Benji’s grandfather. Gradually we piece together snippets of Bubbe’s life, gaining an insight to some of the things that have formed her cantankerous personality. The journey culminates on the Lower East Side in a moving reunion between Rosa and Gershon, her first love. As the sun sets, Benji and his Bubbe walk home over the Williamsburg Bridge to make dinner. This is a powerful, affecting and deceptively simple story of Jewish identity, of generational divides, of the surmountability of difference and of a restless city and its inhabitants.

A timely and relatable tale about the importance of connecting to the introvert inside.Marjorie is a happy snail. She loves her family and friends, but sometimes she just needs a bit of alone time. At these moments, Marjorie wanders off to try to find a quiet space, but her friends and family just follow her trail of slime and find her. ‘How can I find some space for myself?’ wonders Marjorie, and as she wonders, she wanders, here and there, back and forth, this way and that until she is entirely and marvellously lost. But the joys of solitude are short lived, and Marjorie swiftly realises that she can’t find her way back. Luckily, she stumbles on a good friend who helps her on her way and offers her some sage advice. A natural follow on from the critically acclaimed ‘Pocket Chaotic’, this simple, layered story is exquisitely brought to life by Christos Kourtoglou, an emerging Greek illustrator with a distinctive watercolour style. It addresses the disjunction that kids and adults feel (particularly in a post-lockdown era) between our introvert and extrovert selves.

Longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2024 'Ziggy Hanaor’s story captures so completely the way that many of us, not just children, act when we are having a bad day that not only did we have a lot of laughs reading this book but we could all relate to it too.' - Armadillo Magazine Gory Rory is having a TERRIBLE day, and the LAST thing he needs is a KISS.Everything is going wrong for Gory Rory Fangface. First, he ran out of cereal and then his favourite jumper was in the wash and then it rained on the way to school. Does Gory Rory need a kiss?No, he most certainly DOESN’T. The day gets progressively worse; he’s forgotten his homework, it’s egg salad for lunch, and then mum is late for pick-up. A kiss perhaps? NO WAY. On the way home it rains again, there’s homework to finish and the internet is down. Gory Rory has reached the end of his tether – it really has been the WORST DAY EVER. But sometimes... just sometimes... when you really really need them... kisses can make it all better. A heartwarming story about the power of affection to lighten up even the darkest of days.

Nominated for the Carnegie Medal for Illustration 2025 'A modern morality tale for children ages 7-12 and their parents. Now, talking eggs are intrinsically funny, but Ms. Hanaor and Ms. Wynter miss no opportunity to make them even funnier.' - The Wall Street Journal 'This short graphic novel is a fast-paced read, thanks in large part to Daisy Wynter’s dynamic illustrations. Motion lines, hand-lettered sounds and dramatic page turns are used to great effect. And kids will get a kick out of Humphrey’s expressive reaction shots.' - The New York Times Remember, Humphrey; never run, never jump, and NEVER. EVER. sit on a wall! This middle-grade graphic novel tells the story of Humphrey – an egg with very overprotective parents; “Never run, never jump and NEVER EVER EVER sit on a wall. You remember what happened to your uncle…” Humphrey lives a cautious life, until the day he bumps into Princess Jean (PJ) in the park. An adventurer through and through, PJ regales Humphrey with tales of all her antics and mishaps and they don’t notice the park is closing. Oh no! How will Humphrey get home? There’s only one way out. Over. The. Wall! The Egg Incident is a joyous reversal of the traditional Humpty Dumpty tale of caution that will delight readers aged 7-12 who are tiptoeing towards independence themselves.

If Creature is not a potato, what could they possibly be???‘I am a potato’, says Creature. ‘No, you‘re not,’ says Dog. ‘Do you grow underground? Do you have lots of eyes? No? Then you’re not a potato.’ ‘Then WHAT AM I?’ wails Creature. Cat comes along. ‘Do you breathe air? Do you eat and poo? Do you move around? You are an animal!’ But what kind of animal are they? As their identity crisis continues, more animals join the conversation, asking questions and narrowing down the possiblities until they eventually work out the answer. This is a silly, delightful book that nonetheless teaches an important lesson about using the scientific method to draw conclusions by observing, asking questions and eliminating possibilities. Vividly brought to life in Elliot Kruszynski’s punchy, graphic illustrations, taxonomy has never been this fun.

A dizzying ride through 4.6 billion years of life on Planet Earth. Once upon a time, before time even existed, all matter in the universe was concentrated in a single point a fraction of the size of an atom. And then? And then it exploded. This is a celebration of the origins of our planet and the life that inhabits it. With lyrical text and sumptuous illustration, this book takes readers on an extraordinary evolutionary journey; from the emergence of photosynthesising single-celled organisms to the blobby sea creatures that gradually morphed into fish and then tetrapods, reptiles, dinosaurs and finally to mammals. We tell stories of apples and snakes, of gods and monsters. But the creation story told by science is more perplexing and incredible than any we could ever make up. Written by award-winning writer, Ziggy Hanaor, and gorgeously brought to life by Cristóbal Schmal, this striking book is both emotive and educational.

A beautiful graphic novel about the complexities of teenage life, the tangles of twinship and the power of music to somehow make sense of it all.Sometimes everything feels heavy and uncomfortable. My body, my family, my life… And the only thing that releases that weight is music… Nel is 15 years old and life is a grind. GCSEs are exhausting, social pressures are relentless and parents and teachers are oblivious. Somehow Ludo, Nel’s handsome twin brother, seems untouched by it all, gliding effortlessly through life’s complications with a confidence and arrogance that only illuminates Nel’s insecurities. Her best friend, Kit and her playlist are pretty much the only things she’s got going for her right now. When Ludo joins a band and Kit starts going out with the guitarist, it feels like even the tiny space Nel has carved out for herself is in peril. But nothing is forever, and teenage life can turn on a dime. When Nel finds herself taking Ludo’s place in the band, she has to work out whether life outside the shadows is all it’s cracked up to be. Sometimes you need to follow the music to find your way back to yourself.

A tender exploration of motherhood, memory and the silences that we choose to ignore.Miri is the exhausted mother of a screaming newborn and four-year-old Frances, who refuses to give up her shushu (pacifier). When her judgmental mother-in-law, Bella, arrives, she’s more of a burden than a help; criticising mealtimes, bedtimes, and of course, the ever-present shushu. When not dispensing unsolicited advice, Bella lounges in a Valium-induced haze on the sofa.Miri is overwhelmed—not just by Bella, but by the new roles assigned to her. Her identity is subsumed in the relentless rhythm of nursery runs, dinner prep and the demands of domesticity. All the while, Frances, ever watchful, gathers her lessons in silence. This is a tender, sharp, and quietly powerful story about the isolation of motherhood, and the pacifiers – both literal and metaphorical – we pass down through generations. From the creators of Alte Zachen (Carnegie Shortlist, V&A Illustration Award), this marks Cicada’s first adult graphic novel. Benjamin Phillips’ expressive hand-drawn ink illustrations breathe life into every page. Told with subtlety, wit and warmth, it explores universal themes that will resonate deeply with readers.

You can’t always get what you want…. unless you have a magic wand!“I WANT!” shouts Baby.“Do you want this rice cake?” asks Witch.“I WANT COOOOKIIIEEE!” Baby screams.With a sigh, Witch waves her wand and conjures a cookie. But Baby’s wants don’t stop there. He demands a balloon, a ball… and then the wand itself.Once armed with magic, Baby’s demands spiral out of control: Witch ends up teetering on a tiger, a dinosaur, a pirate ship, a fire engine, an elephant and a castle. But still, Baby isn’t satisfied. He wants the clouds. The moon. The stars. And unless Witch reclaims that wand, she may never get what she wants again.I Want is a gloriously hilarious caper wrapped around a sharp truth: the endless appetites of toddlers and the impossible balance between giving in and holding firm. Written in punchy comic-book dialogue and brought to life with Charlotte Ager’s warm, sketchy lines, this book will delight children and strike a knowing chord with every parent.

Welcome to The Grand Bug Hotel: five-star luxury, world-famous service… and absolute mayhem.When best friends Vex and Bo arrive with their suitcases and a very fancy brochure, the Bug Hotel looks like the holiday of a lifetime: bellhops in tiny hats, a glittering lobby, celebrity guests on the rooftop helipad… even a Termite Queen being carried to check-in on a royal litter. What could possibly go wrong? Answer: Everything. Room numbers make no sense. The map might as well be modern art. Their luggage vanishes. Termite toddlers are chewing through the hotel faster than the ants can fix it, an aging moth actress mistakes them for admirers and dinner comes with a dress code they definitely can’t meet. Meanwhile, something shady is going on behind the scenes, and the hench hotel manager may not be quite what he seems… A fast, funny graphic novel caper about keeping your head when the ceiling is literally falling in. Because in this hotel, the service is buzzing… and survival is not guaranteed.

Winner of the Moira Gemmill Illustrator of the Year Award 2024 Winner of the V&A Illustration for Children Award 2024 Shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration 2023Longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2023 A beautifully illustrated and presented intergenerational graphic novel that follows 11-year-old Benji and his elderly grandmother, Bubbe Rosa, as they traverse Brooklyn and Manhattan, gathering the ingredients for a Friday night dinner. Bubbe’s relationship with the city is complex & nothing is quite as she remembered it and she feels alienated and angry at the world around her. Benji, on the other hand, looks at the world, and his grandmother, with clear-eyed acceptance. As they wander the city, we catch glimpses of Bubbe’s childhood in Germany, her young adulthood in 1950s Brooklyn, and her relationships; first with a baker called Gershon, and later with successful Joe, Benji’s grandfather. Gradually we piece together snippets of Bubbe’s life, gaining an insight to some of the things that have formed her cantankerous personality. The journey culminates on the Lower East Side in a moving reunion between Rosa and Gershon, her first love. As the sun sets, Benji and his Bubbe walk home over the Williamsburg Bridge to make dinner. This is a powerful, affecting and deceptively simple story of Jewish identity, of generational divides, of the surmountability of difference and of a restless city and its inhabitants.

A book about becoming independent for the first time. This stylish book with a relatable story is a joy for children and adults alike. The beautiful illustrations use muted tones with pops of neon orange, mixing gentle watercolour and bold strokes' -- Book Trust 'A charming and well-crafted picture book story.' -- School Reading List A young kangaroo called Alexander lives in his mum, Nancy’s pocket. Alexander loves his mum, but there’s one thing she does that really drives him nuts. She is always putting stuff in her pocket. Alexander tries to keep things neat, but the more he tidies, the more stuff she shoves in there. When he complains, his sister calls him a baby – it’s time to leave the pouch anyway. But Alexander loves it in there – it’s warm and cosy and smells of mum.Then one day, it gets really bad. Twelve bobby pins, a tube of toothpaste, a bottle of water, a packet of chewing gum, two bus tickets, some keys, a toy car and a cookbook all find their way into Nancy’s pouch. And that’s just for starters. Finally Alexander’s had enough. ‘I can’t take it any more!’ he shouts. ‘I’m moving out!’ So Alexander moves into the room next to his sister’s. They make it all cosy, with a furry blanket and shelves for all his stuff. So it’s just like his mum’s pouch. Almost. The penultimate spread is Alexander sleeping with all his stuff strewn around him. The final spread is Nancy clearing out her pocket with a wink. It was time for Alexander to go.This is a heartwarming tale about a connection between a son and mother and a journey towards independence, beautifully brought to life.