The Bookseller.com

5th July 2008

Rosen creates new children's prize

13.05.08 Anna Richardson

Michael Rosen has created a new book prize celebrating the funniest books for children as part of his work as Children's Laureate.

Administered by national charity Booktrust and supporting the National Year of Reading, the Roald Dahl Funny Prize aims to reward those authors and artists who write an illustrate their books using humour. It will be judged in two categories, for children aged six and under, and children aged seven to 14.

The shortlist--judged by a panel including Sophie Dahl, comedian Dara O'Briain, author and illustrator Chris Riddell and chair Michael Rosen--will be announced to coincide with the third annual Roald Dahl Day on 13th September.

Rosen said: “If there had been a prize for funny books when Roald Dahl was writing, he would have won it with every book he wrote. That’s why this award was named in his honour. Children love funny books but when adults draw up lists of the best books they nearly always leave the funny ones out. When I became the Children’s Laureate, I said that my job should be as an ambassador for fun. That's why I came up with the idea of this funny prize, all part of the job.”

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