Roald Dahl Funny Prize
The Roald Dahl Funny Prize ran from 2008 to 2013, with the aims of promoting laughter and humour as a feel-good factor when reading, drawing attention to funny books as readable and enjoyable, and rewarding authors and illustrators who write and illustrate books using humour.
The Roald Dahl Funny Prize was launched in 2008 in association with Michael Rosen, Children's Laureate 2007-9, with the aim of drawing attention to funny children's books.
Books were awarded in two categories: Funniest Book for Children Aged Six and Under and Funniest Book for Children Aged Seven to Fourteen, with a shortlist of six titles in each category.
The winner of each category - chosen by students in selected schools across the country - received £2,500, which was presented at an awards ceremony. In the final year of the award in 2013, this was held at the Cambridge Theatre in London, home to the Royal Shakespeare Company's multi award-winning production of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical.
2013
Fresh from his win at this year's Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Awards as Best Newcomer, John Kearns joined a stellar panel of judges for the 2013 Roald Dahl Funny Prize, which as always featured children's author Michael Rosen as Chair.
Joining them on the panel were Guardian columnist Marina Hyde, children's author and illustrator Sarah McIntyre and the 2012 winner of the older age category, Dark Lord: The Teenage Years author Jamie Thomson. Together the panel united in their quest to find two splendiferous winners: for children aged six years and under, and children aged seven to fourteen years.
Six and under
The younger category was won by Simon Rickerty's Monkey Nut with Rosen saying, 'Just as Jonathan Swift told us about pointless battles over which way to put an egg in its cup, so Simon Rickerty has created a comically pointless struggle over a monkey nut (in its shell). With brio and inventiveness he fills the pages with splashes, squabbles, contrast and laughter.'
Shortlisted
In this wonderfully humorous debut from an exciting new picture book talent, the weasels are plotting world domination.
Shortlisted
Intrepid young hero George sets out to hunt the mythical yeti, armed with only a map, a woolly hat and a tin of spaghetti in his rucksack.
Shortlisted
A little girl called Tabitha decides to swap places with Timothy the hairy troll in this lively picture book.
Shortlisted
Can our young hero take on a Monster Zoo full of naughty creatures - and survive to tell the tale?
Shortlisted
In this hilarious noisy book, we follow Little Bear as he goes through the forest and discovers that all the animals have rather noisy bottoms
Seven to fourteen
The prize for children aged 7-14 went to Jim Smith for his book I Am Still Not A Loser.
Rosen said, 'The old adage that no one likes a loser is gloriously subverted with Barry, who is both lovable and hilarious. The mix of words and drawings are a playful reminder of everyone's home-grown cartoons and the big nose motif has become a cult.'
Winner
In the second installment of Jim Smith's popular Barry Loser series, Barry has a new problem in the shape of the aptly-named Gordon Smugly.
Shortlisted
Out of the blue, Louis’s parents ask for tips on being cool. At first Louis is amused and teaches his parents how to use lingo like ‘wicked’ and ‘sick,’ – until one day things go too far...
Shortlisted
Michael Swarbrick's pathetic existence had just got better. He was on a date with the girl of his dreams - a romantic donkey ride on the beach, followed by some daring skinny dipping in the sea. Delightful!
Shortlisted
This collection of comic strips does exactly what it says on the tin: a boy called Steve wakes up one day to discover he has a giant fish for a head.
2012
The Great British Bake Off and Light Lunch presenter Mel Giedroyc and journalist and author Lucy Mangan joined the judging panel for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize in 2012.
Also taking part were Liz Pichon, who won the 2011 prize for The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, and award-winning picture book author Ed Vere. As always, Michael Rosen returned to lead the gloriumptious selection of human beans in their quest to find two splendiferous winners: for children aged 6 years and under, and children aged 7–14 years categories.
Six and under
The Six and Under prize was eventually won by Rebecca Patterson for her book My Big Shouting Day.
'It just made me laugh and laugh,' said Mangan. 'Who HASN'T had - or, if you're a wretched grown up who is supposed to keep control of herself at all times, at least WANTED to have - a big shouting day? Who HASN'T just wanted to go to pieces when faced with 'the TERRIBLE EGG' or toothpaste that is just TOO minty? And then it has the lovely ending, when our heroine is exhausted and overcome with remorse but wakes up to a better day tomorrow.'
Winner
Bella is having a Big Shouting Day: from morning until bedtime, she shouts and complains about everything from biscuits to baths. But eventually, Bella says 'sorry' for her big shouting day...
Shortlisted
Lots of humour and irrepressibly rakish pirates combine in this entertaining book about looking beyond appearances
Shortlisted
It started with Floyd's kite - but now there's all kinds of things stuck in the tree: a cat, a bucket of paint, the kitchen sink, and even a curious whale who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time...
Shortlisted
With a rhyming text by Anna Kemp and delightfully humorous illustrations by Sara Ogilvie, this entertaining picture book offers a refreshingly tongue-in-cheek spin on the conventional fairy tale princess.
Shortlisted
Mr and Mrs Deer don’t have any children, but they would love to have a baby of their own to look after. When a mysterious bundle arrives on their doorstep they are overjoyed.
Seven to fourteen
The prize in the seven to fourteen age category went to Jamie Thomson for his hilarious story Dark Lord: The Teenage Years.
'This is a wonderfully absurd take on beings from another planet or another world and like all books with this theme it makes us think about how odd and crazy we are,' said Rosen.
'The book also makes us do several 'double-takes' as we find ourselves asking whether this Dark Lord is a boy's imagination or if he's really from outer space. Winners of this Prize have to give us a great concept, laughs throughout and a great twist at the end, which does indeed come with an excellent reversal of expectations which I couldn't possibly divulge. Just be prepared to be reversed! And be warned, the word 'Goth' will never be the same again.'
Winner
The Dark Lord falls to earth, crash-landing in a suburban car park in the body of a teenage boy, spitting out poisonous mucus
Shortlisted
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again
When the Tooting family find a vast abandoned engine and fit it to their camper van, they have no idea of the adventure that lies ahead...
Shortlisted
Eddie's uncle has gone on holiday and he has left his dragon behind for Eddie to look after.
Shortlisted
The dark towers of Clovenstone are home to several bands of goblins who spend their time squabbling and fighting each other. But Skarper is different: he is inquisitive and clever.
Shortlisted
Mike Swarbrick's life couldn't get any worse. His pervy best friend gets him embroiled in a scandal involving the girls' changing rooms, his idiot of an older brother is snogging the girl of his dreams and he's just come home early from school to discover his parents are secret nudists... but they're ready to go public!
Shortlisted
Ben hates visiting his Granny every Friday night while his parents go to ballroom dancing. Then he discovers Granny isn't quite what she seems, and life takes a dramatic turn for the better.
2011
The author and illustrator team behind the Horrid Henry books, Francesca Simon and Tony Ross, Twitter queen, author and comedic columnist Grace Dent and Yes Man author and journalist Danny Wallace joined Michael Rosen to judge the 2011 Roald Dahl Funny Prize.
Six and under
The prize in the Six and Under category was awarded to Peter Bently and illustrator Jim Field for their feline feast Cats Ahoy!
Rosen said, 'Cats marauding as ghost pirates to steal fishy bounty from lily-livered humans: what more do you want from a funny book? Jim Field's illustrations of the cunning pirate cats and Peter Bently's majestic rhyming words had the judges in fits of giggles, most notably Grace, who also snorted on five separate occasions. Apparently she likes cats.'
Winner
Cats’ favourite thing in the world is fish. So when Alfonso the cat overhears a two old men discussing the imminent arrival of a boat, carrying its largest ever catch, he hatches a plan. This book is very funny – fishtastic in fact!
Shortlisted
Marshall Armstrong is New to Our School
Marshall Armstrong feels different to the other kids in his class. Then, one day, he manages to make everyone act differently – so they are just like him. A thoughtful book about tolerance, acceptance and celebrating difference.
Shortlisted
Starting school is full of fun in this laugh-out-loud sequel to The Cow That Laid and Egg and The Best Cow in Show.
Shortlisted
A family of furry animals grow too big for their home in an old mattress and have to go out into the unknown world of the back yard to find a new one. This endearing and engaging picture book about growing up is told with gentle humour and illustrated with a blend of painting and photography by 2011 Best New Illustrator, Viviane Schwarz.
Shortlisted
Limelight Larry is delighted when he finds an empty book - he can be the star of the story! Then a whole host of storybook characters arrive and Larry - much to his outrage - is pushed out of the limelight...
Seven to fourteen
The 7-14 prize that was snapped up by Liz Pichon for The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, the first instalment in her wildly popular series.
Rosen said, 'This book is a must for anyone who doodles, likes to wind up their sibling, has a serious caramel wafer habit and enjoys having their chuckle muscles exercised. That will be most people then.'
Winner
The Brilliant World of Tom Gates
This book oozes personality and with so much going on it promises to maintain the attention of young readers for hours at a time
Shortlisted
Letters from an Alien Schoolboy
Flowkwee is on a mission – he has to disguise himself as a schoolboy and spy on young earthlings, in order to help his father with his research
Shortlisted
Full of mischievous fun, wonderful language and fantastic characters, this hilarious story about the anarchic troll world will have you snorting with laughter
Shortlisted
Banksy is dedicated to his ambition to become mega-rich through his various money-making schemes. His business partners - and next-door neighbours - are the Baxter Brothers. Billy has boundless confidence and enthusiasm, and Sam is six going on sixty. And then there's Dingdong, their cousin, who is reluctantly allowed to join in, especially if she can help t…
Shortlisted
Terry Jones’s irreverent wit and quirky humour make a compendium of stories that will be enjoyed by children and adults alike
Shortlisted
Penny Dreadful is a Magnet for Disaster
Boys as well as girls will race through these stories giggling all the way!
2010
The judging panel for the 2010 Roald Dahl Funny Prize was again chaired by Michael Rosen. He was joined by author Philip Ardagh, illustrator Bruce Ingman, writer and broadcaster Nicolette Jones and comedian Shappi Khorsandi.
Six and under
It was a fiercely-contested year, but the Six and Under category was eventually won by Louise Yates for her story Dog Loves Books.
Winner
With an engaging hero and simple, understated text animated by witty, subtly coloured illustrations, this book about the sheer pleasure of books has a refreshing jaunty elegance.
Shortlisted
The Scariest Monster in the World
Once there was a very scary monster. His fur was wild and weird, he carried a club with giant bristles on it, and his teeth were green and mossy because he never, ever brushed them.
Shortlisted
A small silver fish has done everything he can possibly do in the ocean - he sings, dances and even performs plays, but has never walked upon the land.
Shortlisted
The tiger cub is different to the other Kids and the sisters criticise the way Nanny Goat is bringing him up.
Shortlisted
Everyone knows that dogs don’t do ballet, except for one little girl in Miss Polly’s ballet class.
Shortlisted
Angelica’s small chums are enchanted by the contents of her pockets which include mice, cheese, hankies, frying pans, umbrellas and much more!
Seven to fourteen
Meanwhile, the prize for Funniest Book for Children Aged Seven to Fourteen went to Louise Rennison, best known for her Georgia Nicolson series.
It was Withering Tights: The Misadventures of Tallulah Casey - the first in a new series - that won her the prize in 2010.
Winner
When Tallulah’s parents pack her off to an am-dram college, she hopes she will become a toppity-top-actress type. Infectiously mad and hilariously dramatic, Withering Tights is unputdownable.
Shortlisted
The Hag, the Troll, Dr Brainsweller and a most unmagical orphan, Ivo, are despatched to dangerous lands to slay the flesh-eating Ogre of Oglefort and rescue the princess.
Shortlisted
Irreverant and charming, this is a hilarious and surprisingly touching story about secrets, love and life.
Shortlisted
The Incredible Luck of Alfie Pluck
What do a worried prime minister, a chicken dropped from a skyscraper window, a bully called Fox and an alien invasion have in common? All are ingredients in Jamie Rix's riotous tale.
Shortlisted
Einstein's Underpants and How They Saved the World
Maths geek Alexander and his unlucky best friend Melvyn are the unlikely heroes of this quirky adventure from former Booktrust Teenage Prize-winner Anthony McGowan.
Read more about Einstein's Underpants and How They Saved the World
2009
Michael Rosen was back as chair for the second year of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, which was very hotly contested indeed.
Joining him on the judging panel were comedian Bill Bailey, illustrator Mini Grey, and authors Louise Rennison and Andy Stanton.
Six and under
In the end, the book that triumphed in the Six and Under category was Mr Pusskins Best In Show by Sam Lloyd - beating books about octopuses, dogs, and a pencil... that draws dogs and cats!
As well as the books below, also shortlisted in this year were Elephant Joe is a Spaceman! by David Wojtowycz and Crocodiles Are The Best Animals of All by Sean Taylor, illustrated by Hannah Shaw.
Winner
Lloyd’s typically funny, lively illustrations and simple text both entertain and offer young readers the reassurance that there is more than one way to succeed.
Shortlisted
In this metafictional tale, a pencil discovers its creative powers, at first tentatively drawing a boy, then more confidently providing him with what he asks for; a dog, then a cat.
Shortlisted
Brightly coloured octopuses appear throughout the pages of this fun pop-up book from Nick Sharratt.
Seven to fourteen
The second Roald Dahl Funny Prize for Funniest Book for Children Aged Seven To Fourteen went to Philip Ardagh for his first Grubtown Tales book, Stinking Rich and Just Plain Stinky.
The bizarre world of Grubtown and the story of what happens when a huge diamond is discovered won over voters, leading it to victory over the rest of the shortlisted books.
Winner
Stinking Rich and Just Plain Stinky
You won't find Grubtown on any maps. The last time any map-makers were sent anywhere near the place they were found a week later wearing nothing but pages from a telephone directory, and calling for their mothers.
Shortlisted
Having burned down the kitchen, Harry needs to be housed with a willing relative while it is rebuilt.
Shortlisted
This gently humorous chapter book was shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2009; black and white line drawings add to its appeal and the length is perfect for emerging readers.
Shortlisted
Purple Class and the Half-Eaten Sweater
Purple Class are back with more entertaining scrapes that highlight the funny side of primary school life.
2008
The first ever Roald Dahl Funny Prize was held in 2008, with a judging panel chaired by the award's creator Michael Rosen.
He was joined on the panel by Sophie Dahl, comedian Dara O'Briain, author and illustrator Chris Riddell and Pongwiffy writer Kaye Umansky.
Six and under
The inaugural award for Funniest Book for Children Aged Six and Under went to Ursula Jones' The Witch's Children Go To School - it beat out Nick Sharratt's Elephant Wellyphant, Jeanne Willis' There's an Ouch in My Pouch! and the other books on the shortlist below.
Winner
The Witch's Children Go to School
It's Gemma's first day day school and she's scared, so the witch's children turn her into an ogre to give her courage. But school is no place for an ogre, so what do you think the witch's children do next?
Shortlisted
In this comic-style book Manfred is the baddest baddie of all, robbing people, kidnapping inventors and planning evil ways to rule the world.
Shortlisted
This is an intelligent and entertaining picture book, with unique and fascinating illustrations.
Shortlisted
The award-winning creators of The Gruffalo now present us with a modern variation on a long-established folk tale theme, which details the perilous adventures of a stick.
Seven to fourteen
The first ever Roald Dahl Funny Prize for the 7-14 age group went to Andy Stanton, who triumphed with his tale Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear.
As well as the books below, Dinah Capparucci's Aliens Don't Eat Dog Food and Kjartan Poskitt's Urgum and the Goo Goo Bah also made it on to the shortlist for the inaugural award.
Winner
Mr Gum is a very nasty man. He is mean, cruel, smelly and ruthless and has a dastardly plan to make money out of Padlock the bear.
Shortlisted
Long-legged Liam makes a giant leap for boy-kind by competing with a group of adults for the chance to go into space. Is Liam the best boy for the job?
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