A "very funny and cheeky book" about schoolboy with a big nose, I Am Still Not a Loser by Jim Smith, is this year's funniest book for seven to 14-year-olds, according to the Roald Dahl funny prize. The illustrated diary, the second in a series, follows the trails and tribulations of Barry Loser, his best friend Bunky and his battles with school bully Darren Darrenofski.
"The old adage that no one likes a loser is gloriously subverted with Barry who is both lovable and hilarious. The mix of words and drawings are a playful reminder of everyone's home-grown cartoons and the big nose motif has become a cult," said Michael Rosen, chair of the Roald Dahl judges.
The prize was set up five years ago by Rosen as part of his children's laureateship and seeks to celebrate the books that make children laugh. He described a "ker-ching! moment" when, judging a children's book prize, he realised that funny books tend to be overlooked in favour of more serious reads and yet children consistently state that funny books are the ones that they enjoy reading most.
As well as the seven-to-14 prize, the award also recognises books in a six-and-under category, this year won by Monkey Nut by Simon Rickerty. In just 41 words the picture book tells the story of two creatures fighting for possession of a monkey nut.
"Just as Jonathan Swift told us about pointless battles over which way to put an egg in its cup, so Simon Rickerty has created a comically pointless struggle over a monkey nut (in its shell). With brio and inventiveness he fills the pages with splashes, squabbles, contrast and laughter," said Rosen.
The winner was decided by a combination of votes from the panel of judges, which included comedian John Kearns, Guardian columnist Marina Hyde, author and illustrator Sarah McIntyre and last year's winner of the 7 – 14 category prize Jamie Thomson, and votes from over 400 schoolchildren from across the country. The winner of each category was awarded their prize of £2,500 in a ceremony in London.
The prize has been previously won by Liz Pichon with The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, Andy Stanton (of Mr Gum fame), Philip Ardagh with Grubtown Tales: Stinking Rich and Just Plain Stinky and Louise Rennison with Withering Tights. The Roald Dahl funny prize is managed by independent literature charity Booktrust.
The shortlists
The funniest book for children aged six and under
Do Not Enter the Monster Zoo by Amy Sparkes, illustrated by Sara Oglivie (Red Fox, Random House Children's Books)
Monkey Nut by Simon Rickerty (Simon and Schuster)
Noisy Bottoms by Sam Taplin, illustrated by Mark Chambers (Usborne)
Spaghetti With the Yeti by Adam and Charlotte Guillain, illustrated by Lee Wildish (Egmont)
Troll Swap by Leigh Hodgkinson (Nosy Crow)
Weasels by Elys Dolan (Nosy Crow)
The funniest book for children aged seven to 14
Fish-Head Steve! (DFC Library) by Jamie Smart (David Fickling Books)
Geek Girl by Holly Smale (HarperCollins)
The Grunts All At Sea by Philip Ardagh, illustrated by Axel Sheffler (Nosy Crow)
I Am Still Not a Loser by Jim Smith (Egmont, Jelly Pie)
My Parents Are Out of Control by Pete Johnson (Yearling, Random House Children's Books)
Pants Are Everything by Mark Lowery (Scholastic)
