David Walliams picture book up for Booktrust prize

Walliams has enjoyed success as the author of such children's books as 2011's Gangsta Granny

A picture book by David Walliams is one of 24 titles in contention for this year's Booktrust Best Book Awards.

The Slightly Annoying Elephant is in the "best tech stuff" for readers aged 14 and under category, one of six into which this year's hopefuls are divided.

Hard Luck, the eighth entry in Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, is also nominated in the story book for readers between 9 and 11 category.

Children have until 20 June to cast their votes online.

The winners will be announced on 2 July at a ceremony to be hosted by Mel Giedroyc of The Great British Bake Off fame.

Giedroyc, who helped decide the nominees, said it was "an absolute delight to reconnect with my inner child and help shape this shortlist".

"As a nation we are blessed with some exceptional literary and illustrative talent, and it was great to be part of a process that looks to celebrate that."

Teen fiction author Louise Rennison and Made in Chelsea cast member Andy Jordan also helped finalise the titles up for this year's prizes.

Giedroyc (r) co-hosts The Great British Bake Off with Sue Perkins

The Slightly Annoying Elephant was chosen in the "tech stuff" category for its iBook version's use of sound and visuals to enhance the reading experience.

Walliams' first picture book follows such successful novels for children as Mr Stink, Gangsta Granny and Demon Dentist.

Illustrated by Tony Ross, the book tells of a small boy who is amazed to find an exasperating pachyderm on his doorstep.

Other children's authors on this year's shortlist include the British writers Jonathan Stroud and Lucy Cousins and America's John Green.

According to its organisers, the Booktrust Best Book Awards are aimed at children aged from 0 to 14 and "seek to unearth the very best children's books the UK has to offer".

A complete list of nominees is available on the Booktrust literary charity's official website.