We’ve often lamented kids shows for not quite living up to the BBC’s version of Narnia. However now Auntie has whipped it out the bag in the form of Rastamouse – a mildly racist take on rastafarians in the form of a cute mouse. He’s been proving hugely popular on CBeebies and twitter alike. He’s so cool infact he’s got his own record contract and is releasing the single “Ice Popp”. Here’s the kind of thing he produces:
He’s not a one trick mouse though – him and Da Easy Crew also solve mysteries…which pop up with remarkable frequency…whenever President Wensley Dale (classic) calls upon them to do so.
Like all good kid shows, this doesn’t talk down to children and is fairly challenging considering it’s aimed at the under fives – and producer Greg Boardman was sure that like all good shows aired between 3pm and 4m, it wasn’t just for the little ones.
‘My son had been given a copy of Rastamouse & Da Bag-a Bling and I was reading it to him as a bedtime story. He was blown away and I was blown away by the book and the character….People ask why adults like it but that’s not a surprise to us. We wanted to make sure it was a family viewing experience.’
It’s also clear there is alot of talent behind this project, with Andy Kingslow of Mr Scruff fame behind the tunes. Apart from this Reggie Yates, the Radio One DJ, is doing the voice for the eponymous hero.
Like Goosebumps, The Queens Nose, Ghostbusters and Woof! this is doubt to become something youngens will look back on and treasure.
