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A book about feline pirates has claimed the bounty of an award at this year’s Roald Dahl Funny Prize.
Cats Ahoy! by Peter Bently and illustrated by Jim Field (Macmillan Children’s Books) was awarded the prize for children aged six and under at today’s prize ceremony.
The Brilliant World of Tom Gates (Scholastic), written and illustrated by Liz Pichon, won the seven to 14 category.
Michael Rosen, chair of judges, said: "The real beauty of these books is not only the deep down in your belly, shoulder shaking laughter that the words induce, but the expertly crafted interactive relationship they have with the VERY funny illustrations.
"These two books are master classes in how to write and how to draw funny."
Both winners received their £2,500 prizes this afternoon at an awards ceremony at the Unicorn Theatre in London.
The judging panel for the award, now in its fourth year, comprised: author Grace Dent; Horrid Henry author and illustrator duo Francesca Simon and Tony Ross; and Yes Man author and journalist Danny Wallace.