We all Love Funny Books

Well its true, I hope, and the best thing about today is that we have learnt that funny books can also be lovely books (and that Louise is obviously the name to have).

What am I alluding to? Well the Roald Dahl Funny Prize of course which was won yesterday (17th November) by Louise Yates, in the under 6 category, for her wonderfully funny (of course) and quite simply charming picture book, Dogs Love Books (Jonathan Cape).

I was thrilled to read that Louise had won, being a big fan of this story as I may have mentioned before!

Not only did Louise win this category but she also pipped to the post Quentin Blake, the long-time Roald Dahl illustrator and, she says, one of her own inspirations!

In the 7-14 category the winner was Louise Rennison with Withering Tights, a shamelessly laugh-out-loud story. Her heroine comments with wit and insight on the world around her whilst continuing to be carried along with it so there is plenty of humour in this book on many levels.

Judge and award founder Michael Rosen commented on the freshness and humour in these winning titles which were just one aspect of a wonderful and varied shortlist. I strongly urge you to visit the Book Trust website for more detail and to investigate the shortlisted as well as winning titles further.

In the meantime well done to the Louise's and thank you for bringing so much humour into our lives!

Books for Fun

There has been considerably more focus, or so it seems, recently on books that make us laugh. Children, and adults are spoilt in the modern world for there are so many options providing entertainment from the television and films to PlayStation's and other computer platforms it is not surprising in some ways that books are often considered as the last choice for entertainment. Yet books are the perfect option, they don't take up too much room - unless you have lots and lots (and in my case even more than that!), they are instantly accessible, can be accessed and will and demand only your attention!

Books that make us laugh make us happy and it is scientifically proven that being happy and laughing is good for us, so its reading, so why not combine the two?

Perhaps we need to coin a new phrase of encouragement - a book a day.... what can we say? Suggestions are very welcome!

Laughing when we read, even smirking or giggling to ourselves is on of the great pleasures in life. Books do not need to be worth and hard work they just need to be fun and entertaining, taking us into other places with other people, sharing hopes and dreams as well as sadness and sorrow. Humour can actually help children understand some difficult and challenging topics so its power should not be underestimated. Funny books lift the heart mind and spirit and give us plenty to be occupied with. Reading is an innocent past time that can be shared or kept to oneself and taken almost anywhere. A book is for enjoyment so why not make it a funny book.

If you are stuck for ideas then why not try the Roald Dahl Funny Prize winners or perhaps have a look at the recommendations from the Blue Peter Book Awards. There are always plenty of suggestions in this very Blog and at the Armadillo website too - just to get you started!

I would love to hear your comments on this and any suggestions on a new phrase may even be featured and win a prize! Get those thinking caps on and get giggling!

It is with news galore that I write my blog post today and trying to decide where to start is not easy!

First I must tell you about the launch of Perform-a-Poem, the first e-safe

website for children's poetry performances. The launch took place at the National Theatre in London on 3rd November. This was the brainchild of Michael Rosen whilst Children's Laureate and he has now been able to see his ideas become a reality. At the launch Michael said “I’m hoping that Perform-A-Poem will give an opportunity for children and teachers to experiment and play with poetry in an exciting way. All poems have a voice; sometimes this voice is best heard silently, but most poems enjoy being spoken and performed, because this is how we get to feel a poem.”

Secondly there was the launch of P for Poland photographed by Prodeepta Das and written by Agnieszka Mrowczynska. This wonderful book is a great addition to a series that Prodeepta is building up and introduces children in a very accessible way to countries of the world that they may be less than familiar with. Thanks to the Polish Institute in London for an interesting insight into Polish Culture and a lovely, intimate evening.

Next is the announcement of the winners of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize.

Morag Charlwood attended this event on behalf of Armadillo and her report, along with many others, will feature in the December edition of the magazine. In the meantime however congratulations go to Sam Lloyd whose Mr Pusskins Best in Show won the under six prize and Philip Ardagh whose Grubtown Tales:

Stinking Rich and Just Plain Stinky won him the prize in the 7-14 category. These and all the books on the shortlist were wonderful and I hope the prize continues to go from strength to strength.

This week I will be in the audience as Geraldine McCaughrean and Philip Reeve talk about their new novels; finding time to prepare the December edition of Armadillo Magazine and getting together all the wonderful Christmas books that I have been sent ready to provide all my Blog readers with some ideas for some fantastic Christmas gift ideas! So as they say, Watch This Space...!