The winner of the 2009 Roald Dahl Funny Prize will be chosen by an illustrious panel of judges.
Michael Rosen (Chair)
Michael Rosen is a broadcaster, children’s novelist and poet. As an author and by selecting other writers’ works for anthologies he has been involved with over 140 books.
When he was appointed as the fifth Children’s Laureate in 2007 he said: 'I see my job as an ambassador for fun with books.'
Rosen plays a key role in opening up children's access to poetry: both through his own writing and with important anthologies such as A Spider Bought a Bicycle. He was one of the first poets to make visits to schools throughout the UK (and further afield in Australia, Canada and Singapore) and currently maintains a busy schedule of school visits, Laureate events and talks.
In 1993, he gained an MA in Children's Literature from the University of Reading and also holds a PhD from the University of North London.
Rosen is well established as a broadcaster presenting a range of documentary features on radio. He is also the presenter of BBC Radio 4’s regular magazine programme Word of Mouth, which looks at the English language and the way we use it.
Bill Bailey
Bill Bailey is a comedian, musician and actor most well known for live shows Bewilderness and Part Troll, and his work on television in programmes such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Black Books.
Bill finished a ten-week run at London’s Gielgud Theatre earlier this year and is currently preparing for a 2009 summer tour of the UK, Bill Bailey: Live.
He is currently developing ideas for film and television with his production company, Glassbox Productions, who are responsible for bringing to the screen Tinselworm and Bill Bailey’s Remarkable Guide to the Orchestra.
Mini Grey
Mini Grey was given her name after being born in a mini car in a car park in South Wales.
Mini’s first picture book for children was Egg Drop, a surreal story about an egg that dreams of being able to fly.
Her second book, The Pea and the Princess, was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway illustration award. Biscuit Bear, Mini’s third book, won the Nestle Smarties Gold Prize in 2004, and her next book, Traction Man is Here, won the Boston Horn Book Award for 2005.
The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon won the Greenaway Award in 2007. Her latest book is a new adventure featuring Traction Man: Traction Man Meets Turbodog.
Mini lives in Oxford with her partner Tony, two-year-old son Herbie, and cat Bonzetta.
Louise Rennison
Louise Rennison lives in Brighton, a place that she likes to think of as the San Francisco of the south coast.
Which is sad as it is nothing like San Francisco, being mainly pebbles and large people in tiny swimming knickers who have gone bright red in the sun.
Although she lives in Brighton in reality, in her mind she lives somewhere exotic with a manservant called Juan. This is because she lost her mind after Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging catapulted her into the spotlight of fame.
Louise’s research for her books requires many hours hanging around with 14 year olds which is, as she says, 'Brilliant – the best fun known to humanity. It’s all boys, make-up, laughing and, er, that’s it.'
Andy Stanton
Andy Stanton lives in north London. He studied English at Oxford but they kicked him out. He has been a film script reader, a cartoonist, an NHS lackey and lots of other things.
He has many interests, but best of all he likes BBC Radio 4, books and music (even jazz). One day he’d like to live in New York or Berlin or one of those places because he’s got fantasies of bohemia. His favourite expressions are ‘Good evening’ and ‘The truth is a lemon meringue!’ and his favourite word is ‘captain’.
You’re A Bad Man, Mr Gum!, his first book, was the overall winner of the 2007 Red House Children’s Book Award and won the Blue Peter Book Award for ‘The Most Fun Story with Pictures’.
Mr Gum and the Biscuit Billionaire, the second book in the series, was shortlisted for the Guardian Children’s Book Award. Mr Gum and the Goblins was published in August 2007. Mr Gum and the Power Crystals was published in February 2008.
Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear, published in September 2008, won the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2008.
Nickelodeon has gone into development on a proposed animated TV series of the Mr Gum series.
