Critical Endorsements for Sonya Anise’s MUMAGEDDON! And the Food Magician
Critics, artists, and child-development experts are lining up to recommend Sonya Anise’s MUMAGEDDON! And the Food Magician, a rollicking rhyming picture book already decorated with multiple international awards and a 5-star Readers’ Favorite Seal of Approval. Early acclaim has been emphatic: it holds a 4.9/5 Amazon rating from 100+ reviews and has even been hailed as “as good as Roald Dahl’s poems!!!”
Who’s recommending it—and why
- Miche Arendse, Readers’ Favorite: “Brilliantly crafted, a mischievous masterpiece… an absolute joy to read!”
- Brett Anderson, Suede frontman and author: “Parents will enjoy it as much as their kids.”
- Paul Moss, co-founder of The HandleBards: “A hilarious slapstick joyride!”
- Anneke Reijmerink, child psychologist: “An absolute gift for children’s emotional and social development.”
Those endorsements mirror what families are finding on the page: a book that crackles with humor while championing empathy, resilience, blended families, and self-belief. Child psychologists have called it “a delightful gem that ticks every box,” praising its ability to spark joy while tackling meaningful themes.
About the book Published by Books Beautiful and entirely told in clever, laugh-out-loud verse, MUMAGEDDON! And the Food Magician is written and illustrated by Sonya Anise. Mischievous, moving, and just a little bit gruesome in a way kids love, it’s a rollercoaster for readers 8+—perfect for fans of Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake, and David Walliams.
The story follows a chocolate-loving boy with a remarkable talent for food magic. When his merciless stepmother banishes him from the kitchen and exiles him to a beastly boarding school, he fights back the only way he knows how: with fantastical culinary concoctions and riotous rhymes. Beneath the chaos lies a tender, modern fairy tale about using your voice, following your passions, embracing compromise, and practicing forgiveness.
About the creator Sonya Anise is an award-winning author, illustrator, fine artist, and product designer. A Central Saint Martins graduate, she has worked as an art director, eco-luxury brand founder, and gallery owner. Born in Dublin, she has lived across England, Ireland, Spain, Australia, Costa Rica, and Mexico, infusing her storytelling with global color and perspective. After keeping the story private for 25 years, she finally shared it with the world, hoping “it inspires readers to listen to their inner whisperings and follow their dreams.” Now based in the Balearic Islands, Anise is at work on the next installment in the MUMAGEDDON! series.
Why it’s becoming a modern classic Between the dazzling wordplay, exuberant illustrations, and a chorus of high-profile champions—from rock icons to theater founders and child psychologists—MUMAGEDDON! And the Food Magician is the rare picture book that delights kids and adults alike. Images and a book trailer are available; discover for yourself why so many voices are recommending it.