Roald Dahl prize honours funny books
14 May 2008
“A prize that involves laughing until your belly aches and you get the hiccups is the kind of prize I want to be involved with for eternity”
A new children’s book prize – The Roald Dahl Funny Prize – has been launched by Booktrust to celebrate the funniest books for children.
The prize was created by Michael Rosen as part of his work as Children’s Laureate and will honour books that make us laugh, rewarding authors and artists who write and illustrate their books using humour.
There will be two categories, for children aged six years and under, and children aged seven to 14 years, with the winning author in each category receiving £2,500. The judging panel, chaired by Michael Rosen, will include Roald Dahl’s granddaughter and author, Sophie Dahl; comedian Dara O’Briain; and author, illustrator and political cartoonist Chris Riddell.
The shortlisted authors will be revealed on September 13, to tie in with the third annual Roald Dahl Day – celebrating Dahl’s life, legacy and glorious books – and the winners will receive their prize at an awards ceremony in London in November.
Sophie Dahl said: “I am thrilled and tickled to join the judging panel of The Roald Dahl Funny Prize this year. A prize that involves laughing until your belly aches and you get the hiccups is the kind of prize I want to be involved with for eternity. It’s a pretty irresistible proposition.”
