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Benjamin Zephaniah

Benjamin Zephaniah

Benjamin Zephaniah is a pioneer of the performance poetry scene. He has recorded albums, written plays for stage, radio and television, and he writes poetry for children, adults, and novels for teenagers. He is also an actor and television presenter. His message is one of unity, peace and expression through creativity. He holds 16 honorary doctorates and is visiting professor at De Montfort University and Professor of Poetry and Creative Writing at Brunel University.

His autobiography, The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah, was nominated for two major awards and he is constantly touring with his band. Benjamin lives in Lincolnshire

Books

  • Benjamin Zephaniah’s Nature Trail

    Benjamin Zephaniah’s Nature Trail

    Author: Benjamin Zephaniah Illustrator: Nila Aye
    Publisher: Orchard Books
    Interest age: 2-5

    This joyful poem within a picture book pays tribute to all the treats that nature has to offer. Packed with animals and minibeasts galore, this fun, imaginative book is perfect for reading aloud. 

  • Funky Chickens

    Funky Chickens

    Author: Benjamin Zephaniah
    Publisher: Puffin
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 9+

    A funny, thought-provoking collection of poems for older children from Britain’s best-loved rap poet, Benjamin Zephaniah, which cover a diverse and sometimes difficult range of topics but are full of fun and imagination. 

  • J is for Jamaica

    J is for Jamaica

    Author: Benjamin Zephaniah & Prodeepta Das
    Publisher: Frances Lincoln
    Interest age: 3+
    Reading age: 5+

    Welcome to this whistle-stop tour of Jamaica - from A for Ackee to Z for Zinc.

  • Liam

    Liam

    Author: Benjamin Zephaniah Illustrator: Dan Taylor
    Publisher: Collins Education
    Interest age: 10-12
    Reading age: 7-9

    Teenager Liam plans to track down his birth parents, but there are secrets and surprises in store along the way in this short illustrated novel.

  • Refugee Boy

    Refugee Boy

    Author: Benjamin Zephaniah
    Publisher: Bloomsbury
    Interest age: 10-14
    Reading age: 10+

    Alem's father is Ethiopian and his mother is Eritrean, and there is a dangerous conflict raging between the two countries.

    For his own safety, Alem's father brings him to England to escape the dangers at home. At first, Alem is delighted to be having a holiday with his dad, until he wakes up one morning to find his father has left him in England alone.

    Altho…

  • Terror Kid

    Terror Kid

    Author: Benjamin Zephaniah
    Publisher: Hot Key
    Interest age: 13-14
    Reading age: 13+

    A powerful, accessible and revelatory novel with its finger firmly on the pulse of contemporary social and political issues.

  • We Sang Across the Sea The Empire Windrush and Me Cover

    We Sang Across the Sea The Empire Windrush and Me

    Author: Benjamin Zephaniah Illustrator: Onyinye Iwu
    Publisher: Scholastic
    Interest age: 5-6
    Reading age: 5+

    Written by multi award-winning poet Benjamin Zephaniah, this lyrical rhyming poem is told through the real-life experiences of the Trinidadian musician, Mona Baptiste, who boarded The Empire Windrush in the hopes of becoming a singer and making a better life for herself.

  • Windrush Child book cover

    Windrush Child

    Author: Benjamin Zephaniah
    Publisher: Scholastic
    Interest age: 9-12
    Reading age: 9+

    This is the story of Leonard, who travels with his mother from Jamaica to England after the Second World War. Benjamin Zephaniah shares his story right up to 2018 and the Windrush scandal - when Leonard, as an old man, is denied citizenship in the country he has lived in his entire life. 

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