The man behind CBeebies hit Rastamouse was at Borough Library last week giving an interactive performance, writes Kirsty Purnell…
Michael de Souza wowed youngsters on October 27 with a range of brainteasers, poems, stories and props, as part of a London-wide library tour for Black History Month.
“I love being here today,” said Trinidad-born de Souza, “I love it when everyone participates.”
De Souza wants to use his appearances to encourage youngsters to engage with literature through the spoken word because “sometimes it’s easier to follow when you tell stories – reading and writing can sometimes be intimidating.”
The BBC animation is based on De Souza’s book series which tells the story, via poetry and rhyme, of a mouse that lives on a council estate. Characters speak in a Jamaican accent, with de Souza’s goal being to help people realise the contribution Caribbean people have made towards British English. The books are illustrated by Genevieve Webster.
De Souza will be launching his new book, ‘Little Bruv, get me Bruv’ next year.