Spring 2026

Life (As We Know It)

  • Interest Level: Grade 4 - Grade 8
  • Reading Level: Grade 5

We think this much is true . . . Once upon a time, before time even existed, all matter in the universe was concentrated on a single point a fraction of the size of an atom. And then? And then it exploded.

This sumptuous and poetic celebration of Earth’s origin story tells the remarkable tale of life from its first iteration as a single cell through the planet’s various phases of evolution and extinction to the strange, uncertain place we find ourselves in today. Factual in its content, but lyrical in its expression, Life (As We Know It) captures the unlikely magic and strange beauty that is at the heart of life on Earth and acknowledges how little we really understand about how we ended up here. We tell our children 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.

Format Your Price Add
978-1-80066-056-4
On pre-order until 01/01/2026
$21.99
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% off list price on library bound hardcovers and all eBook and eBook with Audio editions when you buy direct! Digital purchases will be accessed on Lerner Digital Bookshelf. An account will be created for you after purchase.
Interest Level Grade 4 - Grade 8
Reading Level Grade 5
Genre Graphic Novels, Science
Category 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Expository Literature
Copyright 2025
Publisher Cicada Books
Imprint Cicada Books
Language English
Number of Pages 72
Publication Date 2026-01-01
Text Type Narrative Nonfiction
BISACS JNF062030, JNF051080, JNF051050
Dimensions 7.5 x 9.5
Features Original artwork

Author: Ziggy Hanaor

Ziggy Hanaor is a publisher and writer. She is the author of the award-winning graphic novel, Alte Zachen, a JLG Gold Standard Selection, The Egg Incident, and Everything Amplified.

Illustrator: Cristóbal Schmal

Cristóbal Schmal is a Chilean illustrator living in Germany. His tactile ink and watercolor style has garnered many prestigious clients including the New York Times, LA Times, Greenpeace, and Lufthansa. Life (As We Know It) is his first book.