Funky Chickens

by Benjamin Zephaniah
Funky Chickens cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Poetry
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £6.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 827
  • Added: 2025-09-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-13
  • ISBN: 9780140379457
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 1997-07-31
  • Formats: 23
  • Reviews: 4

Funky Chickens is a second collection of irreverent poetry for children that doesn't shy away from the big topics. With poems ranging from the absurd to the profound, this book covers everything from vegetables and the Queen to sewage and the sun. The collection is filled with humor but also addresses serious subjects like racism, pollution, and even the murder of a cat, making it both entertaining and educational. /n/nThis book is a perfect blend of fun and thought-provoking content, designed to engage young readers and spark their imagination. The poems are written in a way that makes complex issues accessible and relatable, ensuring that children can enjoy the humor while also learning about important topics.

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.

LoveReading4Kids · 2018-10-04
engaging 4.00

The reissue of this collection is noted for its irreverent and engaging content, covering a wide range of topics. It's seen as a great introduction to poetry for young readers.

This reissue brings back a beloved collection that is both irreverent and engaging. The reviewer appreciates the wide range of topics covered, from the mundane to the extraordinary. It's seen as an excellent introduction to poetry for young readers, with each poem offering a unique perspective and a lot of fun. The collection is praised for its ability to captivate young minds and inspire a love for poetry. The reviewer finds it to be a valuable addition to any young reader's library.

Quick quotes

    A reissue of the wonderfully irreverent collection of poetry for young people, touching on anything from vegetables to the Queen and from sewage ...

    It's seen as an excellent introduction to poetry for young readers, with each poem offering a unique perspective and a lot of fun.

    The collection is praised for its ability to captivate young minds and inspire a love for poetry.

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