This is Not a Small Voice: Poems by Black Poets

About this book

‘yes, I am the creativity / that never dies’ - Alexis De Veaux 

This is a stunning collection of poetry by Black poets, celebrating Blackness across the world. 

There are 100 poems in this beautiful hardback, touching on accessible topics such as family, home, food, music, playing with friends, history, and identity. 

The voices in the poems are dazzling, thoughtful, funny and moving. Contemporary poets - including Joseph Coelho, John Agard, Grace Nicols and Amanda Gorman - rub shoulders with classic writers such as Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes and Audre Lorde. 

It is a true celebration of talent, encompassing many different poetic forms – for instance, haiku, hip hop, anthems, prayers, and rhyming couplets, to name a few.  

The introduction and afterword give a brief historical context of the African diaspora, and the struggles that continue today. This is expressed in an age-appropriate way, and is important for the understanding of various languages, foods, and cultural customs. 

And, to make this a collection to treasure, every poem is beautifully illustrated in vibrant colours by Jade Orlando. Accessible to all, this is a poetic delight.