Hatje Cantz continues its remarkable series of illustrated children's books - a program that not only conveys knowledge but also gives illustration a powerful stage as an art form. In children’s books, words and images meet in a way that allows science and imagination to unfold together, creating visual narratives that can only emerge when artists are given true creative freedom.
Working closely with authors, illustrators transform abstract ideas into accessible visual stories that spark curiosity and make complex themes intuitive to grasp. Illustration creates atmosphere; it emotionalizes, explains, organizes – and opens spaces that pure text often cannot reach. A beautiful example of this approach is LIFE (As We Know It) / 'Was wir über Leben auf der Erde wissen.'
“In the beginning – though there wasn’t really a beginning, because there wasn’t yet time - the entire universe was contained within a single tiny point …” With poetic language, the book recounts the formation of the universe, from before the Big Bang to the sweeping arc of evolution and into the present day – even daring a glance into an unknown future. Yet it is the illustrations by Cristóbal Schmal that make this vast story truly tangible. His ink-and-watercolor artwork carries a wonderfully organic texture that echoes the themes of creation and transformation. Here, illustration is not an accessory but a conceptual art space, making scientific ideas sensorially accessible while revealing the underlying beauty of life itself.
Ziggy Hanaor, a London-based screenwriter, publisher and children’s book author, shapes the narrative with clarity, sensitivity and poetic restraint.
Cristóbal Schmal, a Chilean illustrator living in Germany, is known for his unmistakable style. His combination of ink and watercolor has captivated international clients including The New York Times, Greenpeace and Lufthansa. What We Know About Life on Earth is his first book – and a striking demonstration of how much narrative potential lies within illustration.
“I am super happy that my first book ‘Life (As We Know It)’ is published. It was an intense but beautiful process. Ziggy gave me complete freedom and I enjoyed every drawing – from the storyboard to the final art, where I experimented with drawing, painting and collage. I hope you like it! … A dizzying ride through 4.6 billion years of life on Earth, this striking book tells the creation story of our planet, as told by science.” - Cristóbal Schmal
