Benjamin Zephaniah Poetry Collection
Apr 2026 · Random House
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304
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About this eBook
‘a shining light ... showing us all the power of words to delight, enthral and challenge’ – Joseph Coelho
Musical, plain-spoken, playful and powerful, Benjamin Zephaniah’s poetry has been lighting up British cultural life since the early 1980s. Written to be performed, his funny, serious poems sing with a rare energy, with subjects ranging from racism, pollution and revolution to the lottery, vegetables and his cat, Danny.
This new collection brings together Zephaniah’s three Puffin Poetry books, from his first volume of children’s poetry, Talking Turkeys, to Funky Chickens and Wicked World with a previously unpublished poem and a new foreword by the poet and spoken-word artist George the Poet.
Full of wisdom and laughter, Benjamin Zephaniah’s poetry is a tonic for our times – a celebration of people, culture and love that will entice readers young and old, whether they’re well versed in poetry or new to the form.
Musical, plain-spoken, playful and powerful, Benjamin Zephaniah’s poetry has been lighting up British cultural life since the early 1980s. Written to be performed, his funny, serious poems sing with a rare energy, with subjects ranging from racism, pollution and revolution to the lottery, vegetables and his cat, Danny.
This new collection brings together Zephaniah’s three Puffin Poetry books, from his first volume of children’s poetry, Talking Turkeys, to Funky Chickens and Wicked World with a previously unpublished poem and a new foreword by the poet and spoken-word artist George the Poet.
Full of wisdom and laughter, Benjamin Zephaniah’s poetry is a tonic for our times – a celebration of people, culture and love that will entice readers young and old, whether they’re well versed in poetry or new to the form.
About the author
Benjamin Zephaniah (Author)
Benjamin Zephaniah was born in Birmingham and then spent some of his early years in Jamaica. He came to London when he was 22 and his first book of poetry for adults was published soon after. He appears regularly on radio and TV including a Desert Island Discs appearance, literary festivals, and has also taken part in plays and films. He is most well-known for his performance poetry with a political edge for both children and adults and gritty teenage fiction. His collections Talking Turkey, Wicked World and Funky Chickens broke new ground in children's poetry. He is the only Rastafarian poet to be short-listed for the Chairs of Poetry for both Oxford and Cambridge University and has been listed in The Times' list of 50 greatest postwar writers. Benjamin died on December 7 2023 at the age of 65.
George the Poet (Foreword By)
George the Poet is a London-born spoken word performer of Ugandan heritage. His innovative brand of musical poetry has won him critical acclaim both as a recording artist and social commentator and has seen his work broadcast to billions of people worldwide. In the summer of 2018, he opened the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with his poem 'The Beauty of Union', and in 2019, his audio offering 'Have You Heard George's Podcast?' won a prestigious Peabody Award and 5 Gold British Podcast Awards, including the highly-coveted Podcast of the Year. The podcast was described by BBC R4 as "a story that could change the world". In 2021 George launched chapter 3 of the podcast, and is embarking on a PhD.
Benjamin Zephaniah was born in Birmingham and then spent some of his early years in Jamaica. He came to London when he was 22 and his first book of poetry for adults was published soon after. He appears regularly on radio and TV including a Desert Island Discs appearance, literary festivals, and has also taken part in plays and films. He is most well-known for his performance poetry with a political edge for both children and adults and gritty teenage fiction. His collections Talking Turkey, Wicked World and Funky Chickens broke new ground in children's poetry. He is the only Rastafarian poet to be short-listed for the Chairs of Poetry for both Oxford and Cambridge University and has been listed in The Times' list of 50 greatest postwar writers. Benjamin died on December 7 2023 at the age of 65.
George the Poet (Foreword By)
George the Poet is a London-born spoken word performer of Ugandan heritage. His innovative brand of musical poetry has won him critical acclaim both as a recording artist and social commentator and has seen his work broadcast to billions of people worldwide. In the summer of 2018, he opened the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with his poem 'The Beauty of Union', and in 2019, his audio offering 'Have You Heard George's Podcast?' won a prestigious Peabody Award and 5 Gold British Podcast Awards, including the highly-coveted Podcast of the Year. The podcast was described by BBC R4 as "a story that could change the world". In 2021 George launched chapter 3 of the podcast, and is embarking on a PhD.
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