Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2011 Junior Judges

This year The Roald Dahl Funny Prize saw school children involved in the judging process for the first time. Approximately 400 pupils from across England were selected to read the shortlisted titles, discuss them with their classmates, and pick their favourite funny book in the relevant category for their age. Their votes were then combined with the votes of the adult judging panel to find the two winners for 2011.

Two participating classes, one from St Joseph's Catholic Infant School in Wembley and one from The Littlehampton Academy, also won a competition to perform to the audience at the award ceremony at the Unicorn Theatre on 8 November 2011.

Watch their performances:

Here are some pictures of the junior judges at the ceremony and at school during the judging process:

We also received some excellent book reviews from some of the children involved. Here is a small selection with their take on this year's winners:

Cats Ahoy

Really funny and colourful. Thought ending was really good. Bit scary. Ethan and Kyra, Year One - St Gregory's Catholic Primary School

When they catch the ship and the fish and say 'Yo, ho, ho' I want to say 'shiver me whiskers! Oskar, Year One - St Joseph's Catholic Infant School

I like the bit in the speech bubble when the cat says 'me how? James, Year One - St Joseph's Catholic Infant School

I like the pictures of them burping when they are eating all the fish on the BBQ. Nicole, Year One - St Joseph's Catholic Infant School

The Brilliant World of Tom Gates

The author makes everything quite strange but funny at the same time. There is not one part that does not amuse me. The pictures make it more hilarious because they are very detailed. The book is probably for children from age 7 to 13. Eleanor, Tolworth Girls School

I find it really funny when Tom's teacher Mr Fullerman turns up at the Dude 3 concert and Tom is amazed because he thinks his teacher is really uncool and out of fashion. I also find it hilarious when Tom sings a song about Delia in the concert and she gives him the evils. Charlotte, Tolworth Girls School

It made me laugh in lots of different places. Tom is always annoying his sister Delia, by hiding her sunglasses and his teacher Mr Fullerman by constantly making excuses for forgotten homework. With lots of laugh-out-loud scenarios this book is perfect for children between 7 and 12 years of age. Hannah, Tolworth Girls School