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We Sang Across the Sea The Empire Windrush and Me

by Benjamin Zephaniah, illustrated by Onyinye Iwu

Interest age: 5 to 6
Reading age: 5+

Published by Scholastic, 2022

About this book

On the small Caribbean Island of Trinidad, Mona spends her days singing. Whether she’s on the veranda eating juicy mangos, at carnival watching the procession or surrounded by animals, her sweet voice brings joy to everyone around her. It is her dream for the whole world to hear her voice. When she sees that a large ship, the Empire Windrush, will be sailing to England soon, she knows she just has to be aboard it. She waves goodbye to her parents and four sisters, excited for the next chapter in her life to begin.

When she arrives to the strange new land, she begins singing in clubs, on the radio and television and soon, across Europe. She eventually returns home, proud that she was able to live out her dreams.

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.

The poem is accompanied by bright and colourful illustrations throughout, allowing Mona’s story and Zephaniah’s words to come to life.

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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