The Bookseller.com

2nd December 2008

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Roald Dahl shortlist revealed

09.09.08 Victoria Gallagher

The shortlist for the first ever Roald Dahl Funny Prize has been announced by the reading charity Booktrust.

The prize honours books that are both suitable for children and humourous.

The judging panel was chaired by the Children's Laureate Michael Rosen with the rest of the panel comprising of the author Sophie Dahl, the comedian Dara O'Briain, author Kaye Umansky and author, illustrator and political cartoonist Chris Riddell.

Rosen said: "It was a joy and a half to sit round a table, knee-deep in funny books, talking about them. Almost all children love funny books; it's what helps hook them into the reading habit."

The winner of each category will receive £2,500, which will be presented at an awards ceremony in London on 13th November.

The shortlist is:

The Funniest Book for Children Aged Six and Under:

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)

The Witch's Children Go to School by Ursula Jones, Illus. Russell Ayto (Orchard 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:

Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear by Andy Stanton, Illus. David Tazzyman (Egmont Press)

Paddington Here and Now by Michael Bond, Illus. R.W. 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)

children's Victoria Gallagher