With endorsements spanning music, theatre, and child psychology, Sonya Anise’s MUMAGEDDON! And the Food Magician arrives as a confident new entry in contemporary children’s literature. Published by Books Beautiful, the rhyming, author-illustrated picture book has collected multiple international awards, earned the Readers’ Favorite 5-star Seal of Approval, and holds a 4.9/5 Amazon rating from 100+ reviews—prompting readers to call it “as good as Roald Dahl’s poems!!!”
Who is recommending it—and why it matters
- 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.” Child psychologists further describe it as “a delightful gem that ticks every box,” noting themes of resilience, empathy, blended families, and self-belief.
Aimed at readers 8+, the book is told entirely in witty verse and paired with Anise’s illustrations—mischievous, moving, and just gruesome enough for children who relish irreverence. The plot follows a chocolate-loving boy and gifted “food magician” outwitting a merciless stepmother and a beastly boarding school, ultimately revealing a modern fairy tale about voice, passion, compromise, forgiveness, and unconditional love.
Anise—an award-winning author-illustrator and Central Saint Martins graduate with a global background—unveiled this story after 25 years. Now based in the Balearic Islands, she is developing the next MUMAGEDDON! installment.