The Lollies book award is a celebration of the funniest new children’s books (the LOL stands for Laugh Out Loud!).
Michael Rosen, head judge for the Lollies shortlist, told us: “Funny books never win the awards... even though they have as important a role to play as the wonderful serious books. I’m over the moon that it was possible to revive a funny books award!”
The Lollies fill the gap left from the closure of the Roald Dahl prize, which closed in 2013. Joining Michael Rosen on the Lollies panel are comedian Jenny Eclair, film-producer Will Clark and Youtube sensation Amy Lee (or Amy Lee33). Together they selected the four shortlisted books in each category. The winners will be decided by children’s votes — so get ready to vote for your favourite!
Scholastic launched the award following their Kids and Family Reading Report, which revealed that the majority of children choose funny books over any other genre.
Comedian and judge Jenny Eclair said: “I think children like to see justice prevail and if that can be done with some decent jokes then so much the better”.
While Michael Rosen adds: “If you put funny books centre-stage, you remind adults that reading for pleasure needs to be there.”
So how did the panel choose the shortlisted books?
Michael Rosen told us: “I said to the panel it’s got to have laughs all the way through, it’s not good enough for the books to just be funny in certain parts.”
Jenny added: “I was looking for original voices, for something I hadn’t seen or heard before.”
This time, you hold the power to decide on the winners, so you’d better get reading...
Best Laugh Out Loud picture book:
Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise by Sean Taylor and Jean Jullien.
Slug Needs a Hug by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross.
Gracie Grabbit and the Tiger by Helen Stephens.
I Need a Wee! by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet.
Best Laugh Out Loud book for 6-8 year olds:
Badly Drawn Beth by Jem Packer and Duncan McCoshan.
Wilf the Mighty Worrior: Saves the World by Georgia Pritchett and Jamie Littler.
The Jolley-Rogers and the Cave of Doom by Jonny Duddle. Jonny is also the illustrator for the new Harry Potter editions.
Thorfinn the Nicest Viking and the Awful Invasion by David MacPhail and Richard Morgan.
Best Laugh Out Loud book for 9-13 year olds:
Danger is Still Everywhere: Beware of the Dog by David O’Doherty and Chris Judge.
Petunia Perry and the Curse of the Ugly Pigeon by Pamela Butchart and Gemma Correll.
Emily Sparkes and the Friendship Fiasco by Ruth Fitzgerald.
The Parent Agency by David Baddiel and Jim Field.
So how do you vote? It needs to be via your school and all schools to get involved in the voting process - a class vote can be submitted on the Lollies website from 11 February, in all categories. We strongly encourage everyone to get involved and spread the word!
Voting closes on the 10 June, 2016 and the winner from each category will be announced at the beginning of July.
— Guardian News & Media Ltd, 2016
