Scholastic UK has announced the shortlist for the Laugh Out Loud Book Awards 2026 (Lollies). For 10 years, the Lollies have been celebrating the universal power of laughter, championing funny books and recognising the important role they play in engaging young readers. This year there are four award categories:

• Best Laugh Out Loud Picture Book
• Best Laugh Out Loud Book Ages 6-8
• Best Laugh Out Loud Book Ages 9-12 year
• Best Laugh Out Loud Graphic Novel

The 16 shortlisted titles were chosen by an expert panel chaired by Michael Rosen, who has been Lollies Head Judge since the awards were set up. The winners, however, will be chosen by thousands of young readers across the country. Voting will be open through the autumn and teachers can register their pupils’ votes on the Lollies website.

Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors and illustrators!

Lollies 2026: Best Laugh Out Loud Picture Book

One Goose, Two Moose by Kael Tudor, illustrated by Nicola Slater (Scholastic)

Sleep Tight Disgusting Blob by Huw Aaron (Puffin)

All You Need to Know about Dogs: By A. Cat by Fred Blunt (Happy Yak)

My Rice is Best by Selina Brown, illustrated by Maxwell A. Oginni (Puffin)

Lollies 2026 Best Laugh Out Loud Book Ages 6-8

Murray and Bun: Murray the Viking by Adam Stower (Random House Books for Young Readers)

Squirrel and Duck: Mission Improbable by Tom Percival (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)

The Notwitches by Gary Panton, illustrated by Dotty Sutton (Chicken House)

The Misadventures of Mina Mahmood: School Trip! by Farhana Islam, illustrated by Simran Diamond Singh (Farshore)

Lollies 2026 Best Laugh Out Loud Book Ages 9-12

Café Chaos: My Family is Not a Piece of Cake by Catherine Wilkins, illustrated by Katie Abey (Nosy Crow)

Shipwrecked by Jenny Pearson, illustrated by Nick East (Usborne Publishing)

Cringe Club by Emily-Jane Clark, illustrated by Wotto (Gallery Kids)

Dead Yard: Seeds of Doom by P. J. Killbury, illustrated by Markia Jenai (Little Tiger)

Lollies 2026 Best Laugh Out Loud Graphic Novel

Nina Peanut is Amazing by Sarah Bowie (Scholastic)

Pablo and Splash by Sheena Dempsey (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)

Looshkin: Honk if You See It! by Jamie Smart (DFB Phoenix)

Supa Nova by Chanté Timothy (Nosy Crow)

The winners of the Lollies 2026 will be revealed at a ceremony in December – look out for our winner announcement!

For more children’s book awards, click here.