Non-Fiction Shortlist – The Laugh Out Loud Book Awards 2025

Comic Strip Science: Physics

Comic Strip Science: Physics makes learning about the science behind forces, energy and simple machines fun!

Each spread in this series features a short, funny comic strip that explains a process or aspect of science. Around the strip, diagrams and panels give further information on the topic. They are a fantastic way to engage children aged 8+ with science.

Paul Mason

_{Paul’s books cover everything, from whether the Romans ate crisps to building the world’s best skatepark. He writes in a shack by the beach, which he shares with his one-eyed dog, Daisy.}

Jess Bradley

_{Jess is a writer and artist for The Phoenix Comic and The Beano. She lives with her husband and son, and enjoys drawing in her many sketchbooks and watching scary films.}

Funny Beasts

Heaps of funny facts and cartoons about the animal world’s most hilarious adaptations!

Animals have developed some downright strange features and behaviours to survive day in and day out. This book’s lively artwork and side-splitting jokes bring these behaviours alive – and uncover the awesome science of the animal world. Meet the quirkiest, the flashiest, the stinkiest and of course the absolutely funniest animals on planet Earth!

Funny Nature is a series of books presenting science learning through laughter. Brought to you by the author and illustrator of The Poo That Animals Do, this series covers science topics including evolution, adaptation, habitats, anatomy, physiology, life cycles and much more! Perfect for fans of facts and fun aged 6+.

Paul Mason

_{Paul’s books cover everything, from whether the Romans ate crisps to building the world’s best skatepark. He writes in a shack by the beach, which he shares with his one-eyed dog, Daisy.}

Tony De Saulles

_{Tony is the illustrator of the bestselling multi award-winning Horrible Science series. He also writes his own books, holds cartoon illustration workshops and appears at book festivals.}

Kay’s Incredible Inventions

Do you ever wonder where the stuff around you all came from? No, not from eBay. I mean, who had the amazing idea of making a mobile phone or the annoying idea of building a school? For example, did you know that Velcro was invented by a dog and WiFi by a movie star? (Spoiler alert – it wasn’t Zendaya.)

In the fourth laugh-out-loud book from Adam Kay and Henry Paker, you’ll learn all about the coolest, grossest and most ridiculous inventions in the world. You’ll meet the queen who used the first ever toilet, learn why margarine used to be full of maggots and find out why Ancient Greeks wiped their bums on dinner plates. Oh, and hopefully some slightly more useful facts as well…

Adam Kay

_{Adam is a former doctor who has written five million books and sold seven copies. No, hang on – he’s written seven books and sold five million copies.}

Henry Paker

_{Henry was once a little boy who did silly doodles in the margins of books. Now he is a grown man who does silly doodles in the middle of books.}

Would You Rather? Ancient Romans

Adventure into the fascinating world of ancient Rome with this new Would You Rather book! Packed with fun situations, this book is the perfect way to learn about the ancient Roman world. Prepare to decide what sort of Roman food you would rather eat, what Roman jobs you would be prepared to try your hand at, and much more! Each situation is filled with fascinating and hilarious details about Roman history – rediscover familiar favourites like Julius Caesar, and delve into lesser-known corners of this intriguing civilization.

Clive Gifford

_{Clive started writing books at the age of 16 and hasn’t stopped since! He is passionate that books should entertain, inform and amaze whenever possible.}

Tim Wesson

_{Tim’s illustrations are full of humour, chaos and crazy characters; he takes great delight in turning the world on its head and inviting children to go on the adventure with him.}