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 Miri’s 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, this is 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.
Ziggy Hanaor is a publisher and writer. She is the author of the award-winning graphic novel, Alte Zachen, the Ragazzi shortlisted graphic novel, The Egg Incident, and most recently, Everything Amplified.
Benjamin Phillips finds inspiration in human interaction, the humour and turmoil of everyday life and the joy of repetition. He is the illustrator of Alte Zachen (winner of the V&A Illustration for Children Award 2024 and shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration 2023) and of One Day, by Michael Rosen (Walker, 2025). He is the author of The Man With Very Long Legs (Albin Michel, 2025).
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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 Miri’s 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, this is 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.
Ziggy Hanaor is a publisher and writer. She is the author of the award-winning graphic novel, Alte Zachen, the Ragazzi shortlisted graphic novel, The Egg Incident, and most recently, Everything Amplified.
Benjamin Phillips finds inspiration in human interaction, the humour and turmoil of everyday life and the joy of repetition. He is the illustrator of Alte Zachen (winner of the V&A Illustration for Children Award 2024 and shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration 2023) and of One Day, by Michael Rosen (Walker, 2025). He is the author of The Man With Very Long Legs (Albin Michel, 2025).
Order your copy now
