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Funky Chickens

by Benjamin Zephaniah

Interest age: 9 to 11
Reading age: 9+

Published by Puffin, 1996

  • Funny
  • Poetry and rhyme

About this book

Rap poet, musician and writer Benjamin Zephaniah’s second poetry collection for older children, Funky Chickens, was first published in 1996.

Rooted in the real world, these funny, touching, thought-provoking poems cover a diverse range of topics. In "Serious Love", a schoolboy falls desperately in love with the girl who sits beside him. But the next day, he wants to marry her friend! "All You Sea" campaigns to clear up the sewage in the oceans, while "Good Hope" suggests there is enough good in the world for everyone to live without prejudice, starvation and war. Zephaniah tackles difficult subjects such as animal cruelty in "Danny the Cat" and racism in "Walking Black Home", where no taxi stops for him because of his colour.

Running through every lip-smacking poem is the poet’s joy at the richness of language and the fun that a little imagination and a fat pencil can create, all summed up in the exuberant last poem "Funky Chicken". 

About the author

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.” 

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