2008 Shortlist
On September 8th, the shortlists for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize were announced. This brand new literary award founded by children's laureate Michael Rosen, in association with Booktrust --- an independent national charity in the UK that encourages people of all ages and cultures to discover reading --- aims to promote laughter and humor when reading, while encouraging families to read together; to draw attention to funny books as readable and enjoyable; and to encourage authors and illustrators who use humor in their work, which is often overlooked by other awards.
A panel of judges including comedian Dara O'Briain and author Sophie Dahl pared down hundreds of submissions to two shortlists --- one for children aged six and other, and one of children aged seven to fourteen. The winners, who will each receive a cash prize of £2,500, will be announced on September 24th.
The shortlists include:
Children 6 and under:
STICK MAN by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler (Alison Green Books)
ELEPHANT WELLYPHANT by Nick Sharratt (Alison Green Books)
THE GREAT PAPER CAPER by Oliver Jeffers (HarperCollins / Philomel)
THE WITCH'S CHILDREN GO TO SCHOOL by Ursula Jones, illustrated by Russell Ayto (Orchard)
THERE'S AN OUCH IN MY POUCH! by Jeanne Willis, illustrated by Garry Parsons (Puffin)
MANFRED THE BADDIE by John Fardell (Quercus Books)
Children 7-14:
MR. GUM AND THE DANCING BEAR by Andy Stanton, illustrated by David Tazzyman (Egmont Press)
PADDINGTON HERE AND NOW by Michael Bond, illustrated by R. W. Alley (HarperCollins)
STOP IN THE NAME OF PANTS! by Louise Rennison (HarperCollins)
COSMIC by Frank Cottrell Boyce (Macmillan)
ALIENS DON'T EAT DOG FOOD by Dinah Capparucci (Scholastic)
URGUM AND THE GOO GOO BAH! by Kjartan Poskitt, illustrated by Philip Reeve (Scholastic)
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