Funky Chickens

by Benjamin Zephaniah
Funky Chickens cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Poetry
Technical:
  • ID: 827
  • Added: 2025-09-20
  • Updated: 2025-09-21
  • ISBN: 9780140379457
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 1997-07-31
  • Formats: 23
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £6.99

Funky Chickens is a second collection of irreverent poetry for children that doesn't shy away from the tough stuff. With poems ranging from the absurd to the profound, this book covers topics from vegetables to the Queen, sewage to the sun, and even the murder of a cat. It's a mix of humor and serious themes, making it both entertaining and educational. The book is a testament to the power of poetry to engage young minds with a variety of subjects, including racism and pollution. The poems are designed to make children think, laugh, and reflect, all while enjoying the rhythm and rhyme of the written word. It's a must-read for any young reader looking for something a little different.

Reviews
Amazon · 2025-09-20
accessible 4.50

Readers find the poetry in this book to be an easy and enjoyable introduction to rhyme. The collection is praised for its readability and appeal to young audiences.

This collection is highly regarded for its accessibility and appeal to young readers. The reviewer notes that the poetry serves as an easy and enjoyable introduction to rhyme, making it a great choice for children. The collection is praised for its readability and the variety of topics it covers, from the everyday to the fantastical. The reviewer also highlights how the poems are both humorous and imaginative, capturing the attention and imagination of young readers. The collection is seen as a valuable resource for introducing children to the world of poetry.

Quick quotes

    Customers enjoy the poetry in this book, with one noting it serves as an easy introduction to rhyme.

    They find it readable, with one describing it as a favourite among young readers.

    A wonderfully irreverent collection of poetry for children and young people.

BookTrust · 2025-09-20
playful 4.50

The collection is noted for its irreverent and humorous approach to poetry, making it a favourite among young readers. The reviewer appreciates the poet's ability to make language fun and accessible.

This collection is celebrated for its irreverent and humorous approach to poetry, making it a favourite among young readers. The reviewer highlights how the poet's ability to make language fun and accessible is a key strength of the collection. The poems are described as playful and imaginative, touching on a variety of topics that resonate with young audiences. The reviewer also notes how the collection serves as an excellent introduction to poetry for children, making it a valuable addition to any young reader's library.

Quick quotes

    Running through every lip-smacking poem is the poet's joy at the richness of language.

    The fun that a little imagination and a fat pencil can create.

    A wonderfully irreverent collection of poetry for young people.

Goodreads · 2025-09-20
joyful 4.00

This collection is celebrated for its playful and imaginative use of language, making it an engaging read for young audiences. The poems are praised for their humour and creativity, capturing the essence of youthful exuberance.

This collection is a delightful mix of playful and imaginative poetry that captures the essence of youthful exuberance. The reviewer highlights how the poet's joy for language shines through in each poem, making it a fun and engaging read for young audiences. The humour and creativity in the poems are particularly noted, making it a standout collection for children and young people. The reviewer also appreciates how the poems touch on a variety of topics, from the mundane to the extraordinary, making it a versatile and enjoyable read.

Quick quotes

    That funky chicken will stop at nothing!

    Enter the crazy world of Benjamin Zephaniah and more.

    The poet's joy at the richness of language and the fun that a little imagination and a fat pencil can create.

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