Booktrust, in association with Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen, launched the Roald Dahl Funny Prize a year or two back.
This new prize has two categories –
The Funniest Book for Children Aged Six and Under
The Funniest Book for Children Aged Seven to Fourteen.
Fiction, non-fiction and poetry will be welcomed.
The panel of five judges is chaired by Michael Rosen; the other judges are Sophie Dahl, Dara O'Briain, Chris Riddell and Kaye Umansky
The Roald Dahl Funny Prize aims to:
- promote laughter and humour as a feel-good factor when reading, by encouraging families to read together and discover the pleasure of humorous (funny) books. This in turn will reinforce the message that reading together promotes family well-being.
- draw attention to funny books as readable and enjoyable books. We hope that the prize will enable these books to gain a profile that makes them more accessible to children and young people. The prize will work to achieve this through a range of activities supported by libraries, teachers and parents.
- reward and encourage authors (and illustrators) who write and illustrate books using humour in their stories, poetry and fiction. By creating these awards we hope to promote a vibrant area of publishing often overlooked by other awards.
2009 Roald Dahl Funny Prize - The Winners
Congratulations to Sam Lloyd and Philip Ardagh who have won the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2009. Lloyd's Mr Pusskins Best in Show won the prize for children aged six and under, while Ardagh's Grubtown Tales: Stinking Rich and Just Plain Stinky was named the best funny book for children aged seven to 14.
Round-up
For children aged six and under, the winning book was Mr Pusskins Best in Show by Sam Lloyd (Orchard Books)
For children aged seven to fourteen, the winning book was Grubtown Tales: Stinking Rich and Just Plain Stinky by Philip Ardagh, illustrated by Jim Paillot (Faber and Faber)
Mr Pusskins Best In Show is the story of a grumpy but loveable cat who just has to get his paws on a trophy for the Best-Looking Pet at the beauty show. Sam Lloyd is a Brighton-based author and illustrator whose first book Mr Pusskins was a New York Times Children’s Bestseller.
Philip Ardagh, who is known as Beardy Ardagh on account of his impressive facial hair, won with his Grubtown Tales: Stinking Rich and Just Plain Stinky, illustrated by Jim Palliot.
The story of a town of oddballs plotting to rid Grubtown of the disgusting Manual Org, whose breath smells of ‘two-thirds of a pickled raw herring, a pickled onion, 11 gherkins and one jar of sandwich spread (one month past its sell-by date)’ delighted the judges.
The book saw off stiff competition from other authors in the category including Anne Fine and David Walliams whose book The Boy in the Dress is illustrated by long-term Roald Dahl collaborator Quentin Blake.
Philip Ardagh has written over 70 books for children and collaborated with Sir Paul McCartney in 2005 on his children’s book, but has never been awarded a major literary prize before.
The judging panel comprised Michael Rosen, the comedian Bill Bailey, last year’s winner author Andy Stanton, author Louise Rennison and author and illustrator Mini Grey.
Shortlists
The shortlists were announced on Monday 7 September 2009.
The funniest book for children aged six and under
The Great Dog Bottom Swap by Peter Bently, illus. Mei Matsuoka (Andersen Press)
Octopus Socktopus by Nick Sharratt (Alison Green Books)
Elephant Joe is a Spaceman! by David Wojtowycz (Alison Green Books)
Crocodiles Are the Best Animals of All! by Sean Taylor, illus. Hannah Shaw (Frances Lincoln)
Mr Pusskins Best in Show by Sam Lloyd (Orchard Books) - Winner
The Pencil by Allan Ahlberg, illus. Bruce Ingman (Walker Books)
The funniest book for children aged seven to fourteen
The Galloping Ghost by Hilda Offen (Catnip Publishing)
Eating Things on Sticks by Anne Fine, illus. Kate Aldous (Doubleday)
Grubtown Tales: Stinking Rich and Just Plain Stinky by Philip Ardagh, illus. Jim Paillot (Faber and Faber) - Winner
The Boy in the Dress by David Walliams, illus. Quentin Blake (HarperCollins)
Purple Class and the Half-Eaten Sweater by Sean Taylor, illus. Helen Bate (Frances Lincoln)
Ribblestrop by Andy Mulligan (Simon & Schuster)
Inaugural Winnners of Roald Dahl Funny Prize
13th November 2008- The winner of the Funniest Book for Children Aged Six and Under was The Witch’s Children Go to School by Ursula Jones, illus. Russell Ayto (Orchard Books)
The winner of the Funniest Book for Children Aged Seven to Fourteen was Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear by Andy Stanton, illus. David Tazzyman (Egmont Press)
The panel of five judges was chaired by Michael Rosen; the other judges were Sophie Dahl, Dara O'Briain, Chris Riddell and Kaye Umansky.
| Winner Funniest Book for Children Aged Six and Under | |
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The Witch’s Children Go to School by Ursula Jones, illus. Russell Ayto (Orchard Books)In this third electrifying title, the witch's children's friend, Gemma, is scared about her first day at school. So, the Little One turns her into an ogre to give her courage . . . but ogres don't fit in at school. Never mind. The Little One has a solution - to turn the whle school into a storybook, which is a good place for an ogre. The trouble is, the witch's children are very good at doing spells but not so good at undoing them. . . who can help? Review Ursula Jones is the author of The Witch`s Children, and The Witch`s Children and the Queen, winner of the 2003 Smarties Prize; both titles are illustrated by Russell Ayto. Ursula trained as an actress, and lives in France and London. |
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| Winner Funniest Book for Children Aged Seven to Fourteen | |
Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear by Andy Stanton, illus. David Tazzyman (Egmont Press)Review David Tazzyman lives in South London with his girlfriend, Melanie, and their son, Stanley. He grew up in Leicester, studied illustration at Manchester Metropolitan University and then travelled around Asia for three years before moving to London in 1997. He likes football, cricket, biscuits, music and drawing. He dislikes celery. |
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Other Shortlisted Titles Funniest Book for Children Aged Six and Under Stick Man by Julia Donaldson, illus. Axel Scheffler (Alison Green Books) Stick Man lives in the family tree With his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three." But it's dangerous being a Stick Man. A dog wants to play with him, a swan builds her nest with him. He even ends up on a fire! Join Stick Man on his troublesome journey back to the family tree. Other books by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler Julia Donaldson grew up in a tall Victorian London house with her parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and Julia would argue about which of us would marry him). Mary and Julia were always creating imaginary characters and mimicking real ones, and Julia used to write shows and choreograph ballets for them. A wind-up gramophone wafted out Chopin waltzes. Julia studied Drama and French at Bristol University, where she met Malcolm, a guitar-playing medic to whom she is now married. |
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Elephant Wellyphant by Nick Sharratt (Alison Green Books) Pull the tabs and lift the flaps - who'll be your favourite elepha Nick Sharratt was born in London in 1962 and trained in graphic design at St. Martin's School of Art. He takes his inspiration from the pop and graphic art of the 1960s, which he experienced as a child. He loves to use vibrant colours and bold patterns in his pictures, but, he says, "the most important element of my work is always the humour." He likes experimenting with different media and you'll find watercolour, liquid acrylics, charcoal, ink, animation cell paint and photographs in his work. |
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The Great Paper Caper by Oliver Jeffers (HarperCollins Children’s Books) |
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There’s an Ouch in My Pouch! by Jeanne Willis, illus. Garry Parsons (Puffin Books) A hilarious story about learning to stand (or bounce!) on your own two feet. |
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Manfred the Baddie by John Fardell (Quercus Books) Kidnapping inventors, stealing from art museums, conducting acts of piracy on the high seas. Will Manfred ever learn his lesson? He is even nasty to his own henchmen! John Fardell's inventive story and richly detailed artwork combine to make an exciting, hilarious book that children will want to read time and time again. Review |
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Paddington Here and Now by Michael Bond, illus. RW Alley (HarperCollins Children’s Books).........................Other books by Michael Bond Paddington -- the beloved, classic bear from Darkest Peru -- is back in this fantastically funny, long-awaited, brand new illustrated novel from master storyteller Michael Bond! 'I'm not a foreigner,' exclaimed Paddington hotly. 'I'm from Darkest Peru.' Paddington Bear always manages to find himself in tricky situations, sometimes extraordinary situations. Like the time he had a difficult encounter with a policeman or when he found himself in deep water with a newspaper reporter. But since arriving from his native Peru after an earthquake Paddington has always felt at home with the Brown family who found him on Paddington station. Then one day, a surprise visitor arrives at thirty-two Windsor Gardens. Is it time for Paddington to decide where 'home' really is? In 2008 Michael Bond's first novel featuring the adventures of Paddington Bear will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary. Paddington's amazing ability to get into and out of trouble is at the heart of the countless stories that have been loved the world over ever since.However, it is many years since a new novel has been published, and in celebration of this landmark, Michael Bond has written the funniest and the most moving Paddington novel ever. Review |
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Stop in the Name of Pants! by Louise Rennison (HarperCollins Children’s Books) Review |
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Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce (Macmillan Children’s Books) Telegraph |
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Aliens Don’t Eat Dog Food by Dinah Capparucci (Scholastic Children’s Books) Three boys, two dogs and a whole lot of trouble| Jordan, Ryan and Boy Dave always get blamed for EVERYTHING. And OK, most of the time it is their fault - but this is one time it definitely wasn't| How could they have known that trying to save the world and being accidental reality TV stars would end in DISASTER? |
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fordshire. At school he loved both drawing and sciences and once thought about becoming a zoologist. He has worked in a medical laboratory and as as postman, but his favourite job is being an artist! The thing he loves best is the chance to be creative and use his imagination to make characters come to life. He has illustrated many picture books and been shortlisted for the Smarties Prize, the Mother Goose Award and the Blue Peter Book Awards. 
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n find.' Jeremy Strong; 'A wickedly entertaining story' Bookseller; 'Andy Stanton accumulates silliness and jokes in an irresistible, laughter-inducing romp' The Sunday Times; 'Worryingly splendid' Guardian; 'A riotous read' Sunday Express; 'Designed to tickle young funny bones' Glasgow Herald; 'Cranks up children's storytelling conventions to hilarious extremes' Jewish Chronicle." 
nt? The Fruit Jellyphant, or the Chocolate Caramelephant? Cinderellaphant - or the stinky rude Smelliphant?
Oliver Jeffers. When life in the forest begins to change; when trees mysteriously lose their branches, when whole tree trunks start to disappear, when homes are lost, the only course of action for the forest dwellers is to begin a full scale investigation. Alibis must be proved, clues must be sought but even so, blame is never far from anyone's thoughts. Who is the perpetrator of this heinous crime? Will justice be done? 2008 Roald Dahl Funny prize
A shortlist of six books in each category was announced on 8 September to tie in with the third Roald Dahl Day on 13 September. The winner of each category will receive £2,500, which will be presented at an awards ceremony in London on 13 November 2008
The Funniest Book for Children Aged Six and Under
Winner : The Witch’s Children Go to School by Ursula Jones, illus. Russell Ayto (Orchard Books)
Other Shorlisted
Stick Man by Julia Donaldson, illus. Axel Scheffler (Alison Green Books)
Elephant Wellyphant by Nick Sharratt (Alison Green Books)
The Great Paper Caper by Oliver Jeffers (HarperCollins Children’s Books)
There’s an Ouch in My Pouch! by Jeanne Willis, illus. Garry Parsons (Puffin Books)
Manfred the Baddie by John Fardell (Quercus Books)
The Funniest Book for Children Aged Seven to Fourteen
Winner: Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear by Andy Stanton, illus. David Tazzyman (Egmont Press)
Other Shortlisted
Paddington Here and Now by Michael Bond, illus. RW Alley (HarperCollins Children’s Books)
Stop in the Name of Pants! by Louise Rennison (HarperCollins Children’s Books)
Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce (Macmillan Children’s Books)
Aliens Don’t Eat Dog Food by Dinah Capparucci (Scholastic Children’s Books)
Urgum and the Goo Goo Bah! by Kjartan Poskitt, illus. Philip Reeve (Scholastic Children’s Books)
