Rastamouse and the Crucial Plan

Story

This first Rastamouse picture book stars Bandulu, a super bad thief with a weakness for all things cheesy. He has a bite out of his ear and wears a red and white bandana . . . and he's stolen every last piece of cheese in Mouseland. And how do you catch a crook that loves to cook? But, Rastamouse has a plan…..

Why we chose it

A joyous story which uses rhyme and reggae rhythms and Jamaican dialect and bright, bold illustrations.

Where it came from

Michael de Souza aged 6 left his native Trinidad to join his parents in London in 1960. He has spent many years teaching swimming. He then found himself caring for his baby daughter and it was then that he started to write - when she was sleeping!

Along with his later co-editor, Genevieve Webster, they developed the roguish character of Rastamouse. They self-published, developing their own company: Little Roots.

Where it went next

In 2011 Ratamouse became a star as the BBC produced a TV series on CBeebies based on the book. Since then 52 episodes have been screened. There’s a stage show in the works, a record deal with EMI, a contract for the next three books, broadcasting in more than ten countries. Also forthcoming: Rastamouse merchandise.

Associated stories

There are a number of Rastamouse stories including, Rastamouse and Da Bag-a Bling, Rastamouse and the Double-Crossin’ Diva and Rastamouse and the Micespace Mystery.