tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post5580742917400876797..comments2024-03-28T06:28:49.282+00:00Comments on Picture Book Den: Why we seriously need a new funny prize • Jonathan EmmettUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-56480766466891154172015-10-09T18:02:17.238+01:002015-10-09T18:02:17.238+01:00Hi Anna. I think we're essentially in agreemen...Hi Anna. I think we're essentially in agreement then.<br /><br />I don't remember reading anything about the mechanics of humour, although I'm sure someone must have written about it somewhere.<br /><br />My own knowledge of the YA market does not extend much beyond what my own kids choose to read. My son did enjoy the Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy books at that age (but they would not be regarded as YA), but my 14-year-old daughter doesn't read many funny books – my wife characterises our daughter's favoured reading material as "teenagers in trauma".<br /><br />I think funny books are generally more popular with younger readers but, as I said in the post, that's when reading habits need to be established.Jonathan Emmetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11413964991466780348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-40610536150670828882015-10-09T16:48:39.663+01:002015-10-09T16:48:39.663+01:00You're right -- they should be recognized. And...You're right -- they should be recognized. And the children's choice idea is great. Have you ever read anything good about the mechanics of different *sorts* of humour in children's books? <br />Also: that observation that the YA market has a real lack of it right now was interesting -- I'm curious whether that's a shared perception (I don't know that market very well).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08798354529042485926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-81605160789384859612015-10-09T15:38:35.351+01:002015-10-09T15:38:35.351+01:00Thoughtful post, Anna. However I'm NOT arguing...Thoughtful post, Anna. However I'm NOT arguing that ALL children's book's should be funny, just that the ones that are funny deserve more recognition in terms of awards, especially when funny is the one factor that 'children as a group' find the most appealing. All kids are different and we need a whole range of books to suit every child's taste, but we also need to broaden our definition of what constitutes good children's literature.Jonathan Emmetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11413964991466780348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-36360581764440924262015-10-09T15:22:15.759+01:002015-10-09T15:22:15.759+01:00Thanks -- this one got me thinking...
https://ann...Thanks -- this one got me thinking...<br /><br />https://annaforrester.wordpress.com/2015/10/08/funny-and/<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08798354529042485926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-13559009735389725812015-10-07T20:11:22.972+01:002015-10-07T20:11:22.972+01:00YES to letting children have the final vote. And,...YES to letting children have the final vote. And, here's a thought, how about a prize for funny books for adult too?Pippa Goodharthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17709422048047155208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-39755911040498779682015-10-07T14:11:28.797+01:002015-10-07T14:11:28.797+01:00I'm buying that now!I'm buying that now! Moira Butterfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17355420549929911500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-66360742698777598772015-10-07T12:57:00.399+01:002015-10-07T12:57:00.399+01:00No - but now I want to! :)No - but now I want to! :)Jonathan Emmetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11413964991466780348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-51805309705713019212015-10-07T12:51:59.313+01:002015-10-07T12:51:59.313+01:00Have you listened to the audio Mr Gum? Read by the...Have you listened to the audio Mr Gum? Read by the author - it is genius!Lucy Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08492340196238278129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-83613924064395789822015-10-07T12:44:53.583+01:002015-10-07T12:44:53.583+01:00Oooh. Good news ;-)Oooh. Good news ;-)Jon Burgess Designhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11686489273842347796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-2191905873860524172015-10-07T12:33:24.274+01:002015-10-07T12:33:24.274+01:00And do let me know if I can help in any way!And do let me know if I can help in any way!Jonathan Emmetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11413964991466780348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-73741015491437204052015-10-07T12:27:41.782+01:002015-10-07T12:27:41.782+01:00Ooh! Intriguing. I hope that whatever it is you’re...Ooh! Intriguing. I hope that whatever it is you’re cooking up works out, Michael. And a big belated THANK YOU for getting the old Funny Award going in 2008!<br /><br />I'll keep all my appendages crossed in the meantime – just to be sure. Jonathan Emmetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11413964991466780348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-7873101279427340552015-10-07T12:26:12.362+01:002015-10-07T12:26:12.362+01:00Feeling more hopeful already... Thank you, Michael...Feeling more hopeful already... Thank you, Michael, for not telling us about something that might be cooking...Juliet Clare Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06020801246132751659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-32848617738525324632015-10-07T12:20:57.029+01:002015-10-07T12:20:57.029+01:00That's a good point about the Blue Peter Award...That's a good point about the Blue Peter Award winners. I'm not entirely opposed to adult-judged awards, it's just that, if there's only one award that recognises funny books for children, I think it should be chosen by children.<br /><br />Building on your multiple category suggestion, perhaps there could be a category of "Best Funny Children's Book as Judged by Adults” in addition to the ones voted for by kids. Then you could still have a panel of famous authors/comedians/celebrities involved, with all the publicity that brings with it. And they might present the awards as well.Jonathan Emmetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11413964991466780348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-67330794398290907952015-10-07T12:11:27.378+01:002015-10-07T12:11:27.378+01:00The same slightly-cynical thought about the Dahl e...The same slightly-cynical thought about the Dahl estate did cross my mind, but in fairness, they deserve considerable credit for funding a funny award for the last few years when no one else was doing it.Jonathan Emmetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11413964991466780348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-70454015157709285182015-10-07T11:45:03.396+01:002015-10-07T11:45:03.396+01:00Great post even if a little depressing. I would ju...Great post even if a little depressing. I would just love to be a fly on the wall for a ceremony where those who did not gain first place could let the world know how they feel.<br /><br />I also agree whole heartedly that any award should be judged by our audience. Lynne Garnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05697330164705623835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-19917725558386525412015-10-07T11:40:11.085+01:002015-10-07T11:40:11.085+01:00Hold on your hats....something might be cooking......Hold on your hats....something might be cooking....(my lips are sealed)...but stay hopeful, comrades. MichaelRosenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16891052661059920680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-12519754133377414352015-10-07T11:09:57.653+01:002015-10-07T11:09:57.653+01:00I agree! Thanks for a great post, and for making m...I agree! Thanks for a great post, and for making me laugh out loud by your suggestion of appropriate losers' behaviour at the awards ceremony :-) Jane Clarkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01361379190770989657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-63173310643275955472015-10-07T10:48:52.243+01:002015-10-07T10:48:52.243+01:00Cracking post, Jonathan. It's a sad world wher...Cracking post, Jonathan. It's a sad world where we can't celebrate the joy of funny books for children through some kind of award with its associated publicity and buzz. You're so right about the power of humorous books in terms of moving children towards becoming readers. <br /><br />The key word in reading for pleasure is pleasure. For children, what is more pleasurable than having a good giggle and what better way to supply that than through a funny book?<br /><br />I think your point about allowing children to judge book prizes is a very good one too. It's interesting that when children are allowed to choose they tend to go for funny books - hence the two winners of the 2015 Blue Peter Book Award (chosen by 200+ children from 10 schools) were the two humorous titles on the shortlist of fact and fiction. So, come one Booktrust and others, let's start looking for a shiny new prize or two.Andy Seedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06158201389245187019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-56396926403063093582015-10-07T10:48:30.256+01:002015-10-07T10:48:30.256+01:00Thanks Jonathan. The graphs are fascinating, and a...Thanks Jonathan. The graphs are fascinating, and absolutely highlight the need for an award. Having an award with different categories, children's votes and an imaginative ceremony is a great idea. I'm being cynical here but perhaps the marketing guys for the Dahl franchise decided they didn't want to promote any other writers' products - only their own product (that's books to you and me). Mr Gum is pure genius. Never read a funnier book. Moira Butterfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17355420549929911500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-41266907309964212702015-10-07T09:47:49.870+01:002015-10-07T09:47:49.870+01:00I love the idea of that awards ceremony! It's ...I love the idea of that awards ceremony! It's a huge shame about the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. Presumably they've got something very big in mind for next year but it's something that's built up such momentum and children and children's stories will lose out.<br /><br />As for funny, there are books that my children find hilarious, like The Clumsies, and The Wild Moose Chase, where I'd not have predicted their reaction when first seeing them. They've really encouraged my son to read more but he wants things as funny as those (as he sees them) and I've read them countless times to the children (and the children have read them countless times, on their own). Long live funny, and sometimes downright strange, books! Juliet Clare Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06020801246132751659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-69399329212209914692015-10-07T09:00:18.988+01:002015-10-07T09:00:18.988+01:00Thanks, Emma! Thanks, Emma! Jonathan Emmetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11413964991466780348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-15998783695386751272015-10-07T08:56:08.144+01:002015-10-07T08:56:08.144+01:00I think a lot of people found the justification gi...I think a lot of people found the justification given by the Dahl estate puzzling. And yes - Dav Pilkey's 'Captain Underpants' books also do a great job of getting kids reading.Jonathan Emmetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11413964991466780348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-1857410715487801602015-10-07T08:40:50.419+01:002015-10-07T08:40:50.419+01:00Hear, hear! And it's not just reluctant reade...Hear, hear! And it's not just reluctant readers either...it's the funny children' books (Spud Murphy, Killer Cat, Jennings, Church Mice, Magic Roundabout, Fudge, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Georgia Nicolson, Adrian Mole, most recently Catherine Wilkins's, I could go on and ON) that I reach for when skies are grey.Emma Barneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02718171070716804800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-35055031962273195762015-10-07T08:28:21.185+01:002015-10-07T08:28:21.185+01:00What a shame. About the prize but also about you n...What a shame. About the prize but also about you now having to write with crossed appendages. . . I wonder how a funny prize didn't 'fit in' with RD's estate's plans. What was he if not a very funny writer? I hope somebody steps in with an alternative, especially with the huge profile comedy has in this country at least. We like a laugh, and we seem pretty good at making others laugh.<br />And yup, Mr Gum is great. I read them for myself as my kids were too old by the time they came out, by many years ;-) Dav Pilkey's 'Captain Underpants' series delighted my son when he was younger. Just throwing that in for good measure. . .Jon Burgess Designhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11686489273842347796noreply@blogger.com