Following a deal with rights-owner DHX Media, pre-school smash favourite Rastamouse and his crime-busting mouse reggae band, The Easy Crew, will feature in a new four-weekly magazine for the UK, aimed at pre-school boys and girls from the age of four years upwards.

The first issue will go on sale in early summer.

Based on the successful books by Genevieve Webster and Michael De Souza, Rastamouse is a Cbeebies preschool hit features stories showing how people can get on and solve problems through understanding, love and respect. Rastamouse’s ethos is to “make a bad ting good” to teach right from wrong, and help wrong-doers redeem themselves from their mistakes.

Mackinnon & Saunders, whose credits include Pingu and Bob the Builder, made the puppets for this fun-filled and already classic series. Working closely with director Derek Mogford,   the team adapted the designs from Webster and De Souza’s  books into functional three dimensional puppets.
   Reflecting the slightly ‘tongue in cheek’ humour that runs through the programme, Rastamouse magazine will also have a strong appeal to an older audience and parents.

Publishers Immediate Media say the new title is the only pre-school magazine that encourages children to investigate and solve a mystery and will encourage them to learn about respect, understanding and to foster self-confidence, through learning important detective skills whilst helping Rastamouse to solve a mystery. 

With stories, reward charts, stickers and incentives to make a bad ‘ting good, the magazine will contain activities for children to cut out and make. The editorial will be relaxed, chilled and very positive, helping children to feel they are part of the crime-fighting, mystery-solving team. 

“Rastamouse magazine is a very exciting addition to our pre-school magazine portfolio,” says Pauline Cooke, Pre-school Publisher at Immediate Media. “It’s a really original programme, from its storylines to its look and feel. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed creating this magazine and we’re sure it will add something different to the market, that children will love.”

“Rastamouse’s unique brand of charm continues to attract new fans and partners to the property,” adds Angeles Blanco, Director of Licensing at DHX Media. “The launch of Immediate Media Co’s standalone Rastamouse title will complement the products in the market and bring more Mouseland mysteries and an extra helping of Easy Crew entertainment and activities to fans of the country’s foremost skate-boarding musical mouse.”

• Rastamouse magazine will be priced at £2.50 and will be available at all major retailers and independents around the UK this summer.

• Rastamouse official web site: www.rastamouse.com


• Immediate Media: www.immediatemedia.co.uk