The Lollies 2026 Shortlists highlight funny books for children

The shortlists have been revealed for The Laugh Out Loud Book Awards (The Lollies), run by Scholastic, highlighting some of the funniest books for children published over the last year - books that children will actively seek out, with 'funny books' consistently at the top of lists that children enjoy and choose for themselves.

The shortlisting panel was led by founding Lollies judge Michael Rosen alongside Alex Falase-Koya (author of the Marv series); former Lollies winner Katie Abey (celebrated illustrator, author and former Lollies winner) and teacher Jon Biddle.

The Lollies winners are voted for by children nationwide and will be announced at the Lollies Awards Ceremony at Southbank Centre in December.

 

The Lollies shortlists for each category are:

Best Laugh Out Loud Picture Books

All You Need To Know About Dogs: By A. Cat by Fred Blunt (Happy Yak)
My Rice is Best by Selina Brown and Maxwell A. Oginni (Puffin Books)
One Goose, Two Moose by Kael Tudor and Nicola Slater (Scholastic)
Sleep Tight, Disgusting Blob by Huw Aaron (Puffin Books)

Best Laugh Out Loud Book Ages 6-8

Murray and Bun: Murray the Viking by Adam Stower (HarperCollins)
Squirrel and Duck: Mission Improbable by Tom Percival (Bloomsbury)
The Misadventures of Mina Mahmood: School Trip! by Farhana Islam and Simran Diamond Singh (Farshore)
The Notwitches by Gary Panton and Dotty Sutton (Chicken House)

Best Laugh Out Loud Book Ages 9-12

Café Chaos: My Family Is Not a Piece of Cake by Catherine Wilkins and Katie Abey (Nosy Crow)
Cringe Club by Emily-Jane Clark and Wotto (Gallery Kids)
Dead Yard: Seeds of Doom by P J Kilburn and Markia Jenai (Little Tiger)
Shipwrecked by Jenny Pearson and Nick East (Usborne)

Best Laugh Out Loud Graphic Novel

Looshkin: Honk If You See it! By Jamie Smart (Phoenix Comic Books)
Nina Peanut is Amazing by Sarah Bowie (Scholastic)
Pablo and Splash by Sheena Dempsey (Bloomsbury Children's Books)
Supa Nova by Chanté Timothy (Nosy Crow)

Voting for children's favourite Lollies' shortlisted books takes place online at the Scholastic Lollies Hub, where the shortlisted book sets are also available to buy.

This year is the tenth anniversary of The Lollies and Rachel Partridge, Scholastic group marketing & PR and schools commercial director, said: "For a decade, The Lollies have championed the joy, creativity and connection that funny books bring to children's lives.

"At a time when reading has never been more important, we're proud to shine a light on authors and illustrators whose stories inspire children to pick up books, share them with friends and read for the sheer joy of it."