Olympics opening ceremony scriptwriter flies again as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang sequel makes Roald Dahl Funny Prize shortlist

 Other nominees include comedian David Walliams who returns to the shortlist for the third time in five years

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 Funniest Book for Children Aged Six and Under

The Baby that Roared by Simon Puttock, illustrated by Nadia Shireen (Nosy Crow)
My Big Shouting Day by Rebecca Patterson (Random House Children’s Books, Jonathan Cape)
Oh No, George! by Chris Haughton (Walker Books)
The Pirates Next Door by Jonny Duddle (Templar)
Stuck by Oliver Jeffers (HarperCollins Children’s Books)
The Worst Princess by Anna Kemp, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie (Simon & Schuster)

The Funniest Book for Children Aged Seven to Fourteen

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Flies Again by Frank Cottrell Boyce, illustrated by Joe Berger (Macmillan Children’s Books)

Dark Lord: Teenage Years by Jamie Thomson, illustrated by Freya Hartas (Hachette Children’s Books, Orchard Books)

The Dragonsitter by Josh Lacey, illustrated by Garry Parsons (Andersen Press)

Gangsta Granny by David Walliams, illustrated by Tony Ross (HarperCollins Children’s Books)

Goblins by Philip Reeve, illustrated by Dave Semple (Marion Lloyd Books)

Socks are Not Enough by Mark Lowery (Scholastic Children’s Books)

All will compete to be the winner of their category to receive £2,500, which will be presented at an awards ceremony at the Unicorn Theatre in London on Tuesday 6 November.

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.