Benjamin Zephaniah
Benjamin Zephaniah was a pioneer of the performance poetry scene. He recorded albums, wrote plays for stage, radio and television, and wrote poetry for children, adults, and novels for teenagers. He was also an actor and television presenter. His message was one of unity, peace and expression through creativity. He held 16 honorary doctorates and was 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 toured often with his band. Benjamin lived in Lincolnshire for much of his later life.
Benjamin passed away on 7 December 2023.
Diana Gerald, Chief Executive of BookTrust, the UK’s largest children’s reading charity, said:
“Everyone at BookTrust is devastated to hear the news about one of the nation’s favouritepoets Benjamin Zephaniah.
“Benjamin Zephaniah was a pioneer of the performance poetry scene. He recorded albums, wrote plays for stage, radio and television, and he wrote poetry for children, adults, and novels for teenagers. He was also an actor and television presenter. His message was one of unity, peace and expression through creativity. He held 16 honorary doctorates and was visiting professor at De Montfort University and Professor of Poetry and Creative Writing at Brunel University.
“His fiction and poetry collections for older children, including Face, Gangsta Rap, Teacher’s Dead, Refugee Boy and Terror Kid and Windrush Child, have become thought-provoking beloved classics to be treasured forever by children and the adults they turn into, and by teachers.
“His picture book with Nila Aye, Nature Trail, was shortlisted for the BookTrust Storytime Prize 2023, because it brought wonder and joy in nature to children. Benjamin’s energy and love for words and their ability to change children's lives will be sorely missed.”
Books
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.
Benjamin Zephaniah’s People Need People
Author: Benjamin Zephaniah Illustrator: Nila Aye
Publisher: Hachette Children’s Group
Interest age: 4-5
A joyous book that celebrates community and human connection, with gorgeous illustrations.
Mae testun odledig Benjamin Zephaniah yn un sy'n codi calon ac yn rhannu llawer rheswm pam fod angen pobl eraill ar bobl – i chwarae gyda nhw, i ddysgu oddi wrthyn nhw ac i'w cwtsio!
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.