A sequel to children’s classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Frank Cottrell Boyce, who wrote the script for the much lauded London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, has been selected as one of the books on the 2012 Roald Dahl Funny Prize shortlists. Cottrell Boyce, already an award-winning children’s author, is joined on the upper age category shortlist by David Walliams with a book about a jewel thief granny. It is Walliams’ third book to have been shortlisted for the Prize – unique in its recognition of the funniest books for children – since its inception in 2008.

The 2012 Roald Dahl Funny Prize shortlists are:
 
The Baby That RoaredFunniest book for children aged six and under:

The Baby that RoaredRoald-Dahl-Funny-Prize-shortlist-2012 by Simon Puttock, illustrated by Nadia Shireen (Nosy Crow)
My Big Shouting DayRoald-Dahl-Funny-Prize-shortlist-2012by Rebecca Patterson (Random House Children’s Books, Jonathan Cape)
Oh No, George!Roald-Dahl-Funny-Prize-shortlist-2012by Chris Haughton (Walker Books)
The Pirates Next DoorRoald-Dahl-Funny-Prize-shortlist-2012by Jonny Duddle (Templar)
StuckRoald-Dahl-Funny-Prize-shortlist-2012by Oliver Jeffers (HarperCollins Children’s Books)
The Worst PrincessRoald-Dahl-Funny-Prize-shortlist-2012 by Anna Kemp, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie (Simon & Schuster)

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Flies AgainFunniest book for children aged seven to 14:

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 1: Flies AgainRoald-Dahl-Funny-Prize-shortlist-2012by Frank Cottrell Boyce, illustrated by Joe Berger (Macmillan Children’s Books)
The Teenage Years (Dark Lord)Roald-Dahl-Funny-Prize-shortlist-2012by Jamie Thomson, illustrated by Freya Hartas (Hachette Children’s Books, Orchard Books)
The DragonsitterRoald-Dahl-Funny-Prize-shortlist-2012by Josh Lacey, illustrated by Garry Parsons (Andersen Press)
Gangsta GrannyRoald-Dahl-Funny-Prize-shortlist-2012by David Walliams, illustrated by Tony Ross (HarperCollins Children’s Books) GoblinsRoald-Dahl-Funny-Prize-shortlist-2012 by Philip Reeve, illustrated by Dave Semple (Marion Lloyd Books)
Socks Are Not EnoughRoald-Dahl-Funny-Prize-shortlist-2012 by Mark Lowery (Scholastic Children’s Books)

 
The 2012 shortlists were judged by a panel of funny judges comprising author and Chair of Judges Michael Rosen; broadcaster and comedian Mel Giedroyc; author and journalist Lucy Mangan; author, illustrator and winner of the 2011 seven-fourteen category Liz Pichon; and illustrator and author Ed Vere.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Unicorn Theatre on 6 November, 2012,