The Laugh Out Loud Book Awards 2024 – Winners

Best Laugh Out Loud Picture Book

I DID See a Mammoth! by Alex Willmore

Welcome to the Antarctic, where an intrepid bunch of explorers is making an in-depth study of penguins. Penguins. Penguins. Penguins. So many penguins . . .

But one young explorer has discovered something different. Something totally wild, spectacularly cool and quite a lot . . . EXTINCT.

Alex Willmore’s hilariously funny picture book brings the prehistoric woolly mammoth dancing, swimming and SKATEBOARDING back to life. But will anyone believe it?

Would YOU?!

Best Laugh Out Loud Book for 6-8-year-olds

Bunny vs Monkey: Machine Mayhem! by Jamie Smart

Genius inventor Skunky has just designed a brand-new creation . . . a robot called Metal Eve! She needs to learn everything there is to know about life, so it’s probably not the best idea that she’s surrounded by Bunny, Monkey, Weenie, Pig and the gang. The only thing she’s going to learn from them is that life in the Woods is very, very silly indeed! Laughs will be aplenty in the hit comic book sensation!

Best Laugh Out Loud Book for 9-12-year-olds

How to Survive Time Travel by Larry Hayes and Katie Abey

Fresh from saving their parents from the jaws of frenzied billionaire Mr Noah, ten-year-old Eliza and her genius little brother, Johnnie, are called upon once again. Their parents have disappeared into thin air and it’s up to the kids to save the day, travelling back in time to 5000 BC Egypt!

Can they overcome friendly locals, a mysterious boy-god, snakes, a rainbow-coloured Sphinx and another plot to end the world? And – most importantly of all – will they survive TIME TRAVEL?

Best Laugh Out Loud Book for Teens

You’re Not the Boss of Me! by Catherine Wilkins

Amy Miller is a very positive person and she is fully prepared to be the star of the school Comedy Show. But when Harry is put in charge, he stops her from performing or writing or doing anything fun.

Amy can’t understand what’s happening until her sister tells her: Harry is being sexist, and Amy must take a stand. Armed only with killer one-liners, Amy goes into battle to fight for her right to make people laugh.

Best Laugh Out Loud Non-Fiction Book

Cats: Understanding Your Whiskered Friend by Dr John Bradshaw and Clare Elsom

Learn about the secret life of cats from pet expert, Dr John Bradshaw.

Join Libby as she goes about her day outside on her own and at home with her family. Discover how Libby maps out her neighbourhood – using her amazing nose and memory, Libby learns where it is safe and where to avoid. Follow Libby as she tries to make friends with other cats. Understand what your cat means when she meows and purrs. Help your cat feel comfortable at home – teach her where’s ok to scratch, how to use her cat flap and pick up tips about how to play together.

After a day following Libby, you’ll understand all about your whiskered friend. Purr . . .!

Best Laugh Out Loud Poetry Book

The Gecko and the Echo by Rachel Bright and Jim Field

Goldy wants one thing, and one thing only – to be a STAR. On the sunny island this gecko calls home, it’s always THE GOLDY SHOW, morning ‘til night.

But when you’re dazzled by the limelight, it’s easy to lose sight of the world around you. And when Goldy’s performance starts to go wrong, the little gecko discovers that friendship means so much more than fame. Because when you treat the world with love, then love will come echoing back.

Laugh Out Loud Illustrator of the Year

Jamie Smart

Jamie Smart has illustrated comics for The Sunday Times, the Dandy, the Beano and Toxic magazine, as well as regularly publishing his well-loved Bunny vs Monkey and Looshkin stories in The Phoenix comic, and as bestselling graphic novels. He won the 2024 British Book Award for best Children’s Illustrated book (Bunny vs Monkey: Multiverse Mix-Up!) and won Illustrator of the Year. Jamie is also the author/illustrator of the middle-grade Flember series, and the Max and Chaffy comic series for younger readers.