The series is based on the books by Genevieve Webster and Michael De Souza. Michael and Genevieve remain a big part of the television series writing a significant number of episodes and overseeing voice-recording, animation and design. In addition to their invaluable guidance of the television episodes they both contribute to all aspects of the brand.
Since his first appearance, in a Da Crucial Plan, Rastamouse has always had a life beyond the printed page and beyond the television screen. Michael and Genevieve’s readings in schools, libraries and in workshop environments have provided a clear strategy for the development of the brand in the multi-media domain.
Genevieve Webster
Genevieve Webster co-author and illustrator of the Rastamouse book series and co-founder of Little Roots Ltd. studied graphics and illustration at Canterbury and Norwich Schools of Art before coming to live and work in London in 1988.
Genevieve has worked in children’s books for over 20 years art directing, developing new talent and working with established favourites such as Allan Ahlberg and Babette Cole. Alongside this, she developed a freelance career in writing, illustrating and teaching. It was Genevieve’s passion for language and dialect and her love of the Caribbean culture that inspired her to co-create Rastamouse.
The first title in the series, ‘Rastamouse and the Crucial Plan’ was published to wide critical acclaim in 2003 and by 2008 Three Stones Media and CBeebies were on board. Fast forward to January 2011 and a hit TV show was born… irie man!
Michael De Souza
Michael De Souza co-author of the Rastamouse book series and co-founder of Little Roots Ltd came to England in 1960. He left his native Trinidad to come and join his parents in Notting Hill, West London.
He has spent most of the last 15 years teaching swimming and it was his love of teaching and working with children that inspired Michael to pursue a career in writing. The imagination and the bravery of the children in overcoming their fear of water encouraged Michael to step bravely into the world of writing and publishing. The first Rastamouse book was published in 2003 and by 2011 became a much-loved animation for children.
Michael is also the patron for the Erase Foundation charity, an education based charity, working in the rural areas of the Gambia. Michael now divides his time between the Gambia and the UK.
