2025 Laugh Out Loud Awards (The Lollies) winners announced

Scholastic UK has announced the winners of the 2025 Laugh Out Loud Awards (The Lollies) at a ceremony filled with laughter, song, doodling and much more.

The Lollies is the UK's biggest celebration of funny books and one of the few awards where the winners are voted for by children.

Hosted by author, actor and presenter Stephen Mangan at London's Southbank Centre, the audience was full of excited children, authors, illustrators and many from the world of publishing. Stephen Mangan was joined by guest stars from children's books and television including Lollies' ambassador Michael Rosen, along with Thiago de Moraes, Anita Mangan, Serena Patel, Liz Pichon, and Jim Smith.

Scholastic ran a competition for schools to attend to widen access for all children to this fantastic event that supports reading for pleasure and over 150 excited children filled the theatre. The winners represent the funniest books for children - chosen by children.

Winners of The Lollies 2025

Best Laugh Out Loud Picture Book:

There's Nothing Faster Than a Cheetah by Tom Nicoll and Ross Collins (Macmillan Children's Books)

Best Laugh Out Loud Book Ages 6-8:

Trixie Pickle Art Avenger: Toxic Takedown by Olaf Falafel (Puffin)

Best Best Laugh Out Loud Book Ages 9-12:

Evil Emperor Penguin: The World Will Be Mine! by Laura Ellen Anderson (David Fickling Books)

Best Laugh Out Loud Book - Non-Fiction

Kay's Incredible Inventions by Adam Kay and illustrated by Henry Paker (Puffin)

The winners of The Lollies Awards 2025 (l-r): Olaf Falafel; Laura Ellen Anderson; Tom Nicoll and Adam Kay

Michael Rosen reminded the audience why we need books that make children laugh: "Funny books bring joy. Simple as that. If you want to get children laughing and reading for pleasure - look no further than this year's brilliant Lollies shortlist and winners."

With recent reports of the decline of reading for pleasure, celebrating books that children love reading has never been more important. Scholastic's Kids and Family Reading Report: UK Edition revealed that nearly two thirds of children aged 6–17 chose "books that make me laugh" as their top pick when reading for pleasure.

Catherine Bell, MD of Scholastic UK, said: "For almost 10 years, The Lollies Awards have championed the funniest children's books of the year - chosen by children. Ahead of the National Year of Reading, we are so proud to announce our new set of fabulously funny winners that are perfect for reading for pleasure. Congratulations to all the incredibly talented authors and illustrators on the whole shortlist."

The 2025 shortlists were selected by a panel of judges: Former children's laureate and long-time Lollies ambassador and Head Judge, Michael Rosen (pictured); screenwriter, playwright, and stand-up comedian Archie Maddocks; author, podcaster and content creator Alison Perry; and specialist children's book supplier Sheila Wood. The winners are voted for by children nationwide.

Full shortlist for The Lollies Awards 2025:

Best Laugh Out Loud Picture Book:

Spyceratops by Alex Willmore (Farshore)

The Goat and the Stoat and the Boat by Em Lynas and Matt Hunt (Nosy Crow)

The Princess with the Blazing Bottom by Beach (Simon & Schuster Childrens Books) 

There's Nothing Faster Than a Cheetah by Tom Nicoll and Ross Collins (Macmillan Children's Books)

Best Laugh Out Loud Book Ages 6-8 

Grimwood: Attack of the Stink Monster by Nadia Shireen (Simon & Schuster Children's Books)

Keisha Jones Takes on the World by Natalie Denny and Chanté Timothy (Little Tiger)

The Shop of Impossible Ice Creams: Big Berry Robbery by Shane Hegarty and Jeff Crowther (Hodder Children's Books)

Trixie Pickle Art Avenger: Toxic Takedown by Olaf Falafel (Puffin)

Best Laugh Out Loud Book Ages 9-12

Evil Emperor Penguin: The World Will Be Mine! by Laura Ellen Anderson (David Fickling Books)

Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer by Jeffrey Boakye, Beth Suzanna and Paul Kellam (Faber Children's)

Solve Your Own Mystery: The Transylvanian Express by Gareth P. Jones and Louise Forshaw (Little Tiger)

The Boss of Everyone! by Danny Wallace and Gemma Correll (Simon & Schuster Children's Books)

Best Laugh Out Loud Book - Non-Fiction:

Would You Rather? Ancient Romans by Clive Gifford and Tim Wesson (Red Shed) 

Comic Strip Science: Physics by Paul Mason and Jess Bradley (Wayland)

Funny Beasts by Paul Mason and Tony De Saulles (Wayland)

Kay's Incredible Inventions by Adam Kay and Henry Paker (Puffin)