Vincenza Michelle – illustratör

Constab Ballads (1912) was the second published work by Claude McKay, after Songs of Jamaica earlier that year. This collection, also written in Jamaican Patois, was largely based on his experiences while serving as a police constable in Spanish Town. The poems are an alluring combination of traditional verses, dramatic monologues and confessional love lyrics.

This collection includes the poems:

Claude McKay was one of the twentieth century’s finest poets and Songs of Jamaica (1912) was his first published work. This pioneering collection, written in Jamaican Patois, was the first of its kind. In the opening poem ‘Quashie to Buccra’ he asserts the worker’s voice:

“You tas’e petater an’ you say it sweet, But you no know how hard we wuk fe it; You want a basketful fe quattiewut, ’Cause you no know how ’tiff de bush fe cut.”

This collection includes the poems:

QUASHIE TO BUCCRAMY NATIVE LAND, MY HOMEBENEATH THE YAMPY SHADEWHEN YOU WANT A BELLYFULKILLIN’ NANNYKING BANANAHARD TIMESMOTHER DEARCUDJOE FRESH FROM DE LECTURETO CLARENDON HILLS AND H. A. H.STROKES OF THE TAMARIND SWITCHSCHOOL-TEACHER NELL’S LUB-LETTER

Claude McKay’s Harlem Shadows (1922) has moving, lyrical verses that capture his nostalgia for Jamaica, and empathy for the unjust plight of Black people around the world. These are passionate poems, with calls for human decency, dignity and justice in a needlessly cruel world.

“If we must die, let it not be like hogs Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot, While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs, Making their mock at our accursed lot.”

This collection includes the poems:

One day Brother Anansi goes to the seaside and to his surprise, he catches many types of fishes. On the way home a hungry Brother Tiger awaits because he desperately wants some food to eat. Will the spider man share his wonderful fish catch with the big hungry cat?

Find out what happens next in this thrilling and hilarious Anansi adventure.

Read and enjoy this traditional Anansi story and be amazed by the magnificent illustrations. Also find out how the crafty spider man is finally able to outwit the ferocious feline.

This storybook is full of fun for young readers.