Winners of the Laugh Out Loud Book Awards (The Lollies) 2023
The winners of the Laugh Out Loud Book Awards (The Lollies) 2023 have been announced in a digital awards ceremony, hosted by author Ella McLeod.
The Lollies are now in their sixth year and were created by Scholastic in response to the end of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. The prizes have historically been awarded in three categories; Best Laugh Out Loud Picture Book, Best Laugh Out Loud Book for six to eight-year-olds and Best Laugh Out Loud Book for nine to twelve-year-olds. This year, the awards have been expanded to include four new categories: Teens, Poetry Book, Non-fiction and Illustrator of the Year.
Schools nationwide joined online to celebrate the winners in all seven categories and enjoyed performances from Michael Rosen, Stephen and Anita Mangan and a special appearance from author and illustrator, Sarah Bowie, whose book Nina Peanut, will publishing in March 2024.
The judging panel consisted of Head Judge and long-time Lollies ambassador, Michael Rosen, illustrator Anita Mangan, authors Ella McLeod and Steven Butler, assistant head-teacher, Rani Tiwana and Scholastic Book Club Manager, Su Inglis. Whilst the judges selected the shortlist, the winners of the awards are decided entirely by children’s votes. This year over 11,000 votes were cast.
The winners are:
Best Laugh Out Loud Picture Book
Wee? It Wasn’t Me!
Written by Clare Helen Welsh, illustrated by Nicola O’Byrne
Best Laugh Out Loud Book for 6-8-year-olds
A Monster Ate My Packed Lunch!
Written by Pamela Butchart, illustrated by Thomas Flintham
Best Laugh Out Loud Book for 9-12-year-olds
The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh
Written by Helen Rutter
Best Laugh Out Loud Book for Teens
Written by Ciara Smyth
Best Laugh Out Loud Poetry Book
Written by Joshua Seigal Illustrated by Sarah Horne
Best Laugh Out Loud Non-fiction Book
Unleash Your Creative Monster: A Children’s Guide to Writing
Written by Andy Jones Illustrated by Olaf Falafel
Dapo Adeola was named Lollies Illustrator of the Year
