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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.”

Childrens Anna Richardson Booktrust Prize Home Roald Dahl Michael Rose Roald Dahl Funny Prize

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By David R N Livesley - Woodstock Vermont

Thank god someone has sense to come up with a prize that can actually be laughed at. My personal biased favourite would have to be Dudley in a jam by Judy Taylor & Peter Cross from memory...long o/p but everytime I look at Dudley pulling the dogs nose I chuckle.....and I've been chuckling and smiling for over 20 years.... One should laugh more at the absurbity of it al!!!.

14 May 08 02:41

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By Sue DP

Looking forward to seeing which books get nominated for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize: will they be laugh out loud, or gentle smiling quietly ones? Captain Underpants? or Mr Gum? or Kipper? Will stock selection for libraries and title choosing for school reading lists become seriously funny gatherings? Time to look on the lighter side of books. Thank you, Michael Rosen, for coming up with the idea.

20 May 08 21:55

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