Find a book
Donate

J is for Jamaica

by Benjamin Zephaniah and Prodeepta Das

Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 5+

Published by Frances Lincoln, 2009

  • Around the world
  • Picture books
  • Poetry and rhyme

About this book

Welcome to this whistle-stop tour of Jamaica - from A for Ackee to Z for Zinc. You'll discover what people eat, what they do, the games they play, the places they live, and see some of the plants and animals.

For each letter there's a vibrant photograph providing a window into a different aspect of Jamaican life, as well as a poem. It's an ABC, a poetry book and geography lesson rolled into one!

A welcome addition to a successful series, this is an excellent introduction to Jamaica. Its colours, sights, smells, tastes and bustle are captured by the jewel-sharp colours of Das's photographs and Zephaniah's characteristically jaunty verses that beg to be read aloud. And it's got a proper X - for Xamayca!

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.” 

More books like this

Explore our Bookfinder

Lists of recommended reads

Discover more booklists
Share this page Twitter Facebook LinkedIn