Talking Turkeys
As part of the 2020 Penguin Student Book Awards, I submitted a book cover design for Benjamin Zephaniah’s poetry book, Talking Turkeys.
First published in 1995, Talking Turkeys is a poetry book aimed primarily at children of the age 8-12. The name itself suggests personification of animals, as it is physically ‘talking’. It also alludes to ‘talking frankly’ as he opens up about serious matters of importance, but uses funny and comical situations, animals, images and words to juxtapose this. The title also uses alliteration with its two ‘T’s.
When looking at the titular poem, it feels like it should be read aloud, it has a beat and rhythm to it. I believe this is his intention and you can watch/listen to him read it/rap to it on stage using this ‘dub poetry’ style. A style he uses to show poetry doesn’t need to boring or follow any particular rules.
Turkeys at the Supermarket
For one of my 3 concepts I wanted to look at veganism, packaging and the thoughts on consumerism in Zephaniah’s poem. He talks about people’s greed, how Christmas is very commercial. My idea was to create a recognisable supermarket meat packet label, but make it vegan! It makes you think, you look at it and your brain instantly thinks of meat packaging, but when you look closer its actually asking you not to eat meat and to be nice to turkeys. It is humanising them, as Zephaniah does in his poem
I said “I am not too sure turkey
But it’s nothing to do wid Christ Mass
Humans get greedy an waste more dan need be
An business men mek loadsa cash
The composition looks organic, like the label has been peeled off and dropped on the floor, or that it is litter in the street. I think the crumple effect works super well for making it look a little like wrapping paper too. I like ‘wrapping’ around to the back cover, as it again adds to the wrapping paper effect
Turkeys wreak havoc
With this concept I wanted to incorporate further illustrative components to the design. From looking at Children’s Book covers almost all involve some form of visual to accompany the Typography. I decided to try out having the Turkeys physically playing with the lettering as if they are wreaking havoc, protesting changing the letters, making a mess etc. Really playing to that theme within the poems about personification of animals, breaking traditions and rules within the written language and life.
My final concept creatively uses a microphone stand as a stand in for the letter ‘T’ to emphasis the performance element that Zephaniah uses for his dub poetry. The microphone is also out of reach to the turkeys who are trying to have their voice heard and fight for their rights.
