The Story
Origins
Rastamouse, the animated series is based on the critically acclaimed books by Genevieve Webster and Michael De Souza, launched on CBeebies in January 2011 and has since engaged a following of preschoolers and parents alike across the globe.
The series features Rastamouse, Scratchy and Zoomer of Da Easy Crew, the mystery-solving, reggae-playing band who live by their motto “redemption, not retribution.”
Irie Vibes!
Rastamouse has a positive message for young children, promoting the need to understand what is right from what is wrong, and why, in a meaningful context. The stories focus on finding creative and positive solutions to problems and situations. Through understanding and love, Rastamouse always promotes redemption rather than retribution – he’ll always make a bad thing good.
With a unique, positive, fresh, fun and ultimately very cool multi-cultural cast Rastamouse is an important brand offering an opportunity to portray, learn about, respect and celebrate the beauty and diversity of cultures around us.
To complement Rastamouse’s rhythmic language, the show’s strong musical component, performed and enjoyed by the cast of funky cool characters, encourages children to join in with the wicked vibes. Rastamouse is a colourful and vibrant brand exhibiting exciting and active characters, who are always on the move, playing music, skateboarding or dancing whilst solving their mysteries.
Beyond the books…
Since his first appearance, in Da Crucial Plan, Rastamouse has always had a life beyond the printed page and beyond the television screen. His use in the classroom, library and the workshop environment provides a clear strategy for the development of the brand into the multi-media domain.
Appealing to boys and girls alike; the world of Rastamouse is without question a world of fun, cleverly disguising the fact that there are things to learn about the rhythm of vocabulary, storytelling, music-making and most importantly about life.
Our work with children of all ages has proven that the themes, the rhythm & rhyme and the adventures of ‘Da Easy Crew’ encourages young minds to enjoy reading, emulate the detail of the tales and to tell their own stories; inspiring creativity, positivity and participation from individuals who might previously have shied from artistic expression.
The Rocksteady Reggae School
The Rastamouse Rocksteady Reggae school delivers elements of the Music National Curriculum in a variety of formats from one day workshops through to comprehensive ten-week programmes incorporated into school timetables.
Developed with music practitioner Sally Greaves with the support of The Rastamouse Company, the EMI CSR team and The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Music Service; the Rocksteady programme has been piloted and evaluated in a number of London schools since April 2012.
Drawing inspiration from the stories of Michael De Souza and Genevieve Webster and incorporating the uplifting music of Andrew Kingslow; the Rocksteady music project provides a thoroughly cross-curricular experience to excite and engage young minds.
