Poppy Cat Comes to CITV and ITV1

Joanna Page's Purr-Fect Role As The Voice Of Poppy Cat in New ITV1 and CITV Series

Gavin and Stacey star Joanna Page has taken on an animation role to win the hearts and minds of pre-schoolers across the UK, voicing Poppy Cat in the new CITV and ITV1 pre-school series.  Poppy Cat will air every Saturday and Sunday on both channels from 5th May at 7am.

Poppy Cat is based on the award-winning book series created by Lara Jones that has sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide since first being published in 2003.  The series features 26 eleven minute episodes involving stories of friendship and fantasy play as seen through the eyes of Poppy's owner, a little girl called Lara.  Each story is a celebration of adventure as Poppy Cat and her friends embark on fanciful journeys through fantastical lands.

Joanna Page says:

"... everybody loves Poppy Cat; the books have been such a success. So to actually play Poppy Cat is such an honour – I’m over the moon.  I love Poppy Cat because she's strong, she's determined, she's not scared of anything, she's very brave, she's lovely and kind, she looks after her friends and she doesn't back down from anything - and I think I have some of those qualities!  It's just really exciting to play a cat who is so strong and really up for it."

Freddy is almost three and loves Poppy Cat.  He  is totally engaged with the colourful characters and the gentle animation.  The adventures are very imaginative and he loves the way Poppy and her friends work together to sort things out.  The attention to detail makes it visually appealing and Freddy giggles at the funny antics of Poppy, Alma, Zuzu and the gang. The episodes are just the right length of time to hold a toddler's attention.  The focus on friendship, social and emotional themes are familiar and relevant to pre-schoolers who are encouraged to use their imaginations to solve problems and pursue their goals.

So be sure to tune in at weekend mornings from May 5th and share the joy of Poppy Cat with your little ones.  The first episode to air is "Tricky Cricket", a hot air ballooning adventure that sees Poppy and her friends trying to find a place where Zuzu's new cricket will like to sing! 

Visit poppycat.com for more information.

It's Rastamouse!

Rastamouse is a skateboarding, reggae playing, super cool mouse with a laid back vibe.  He's the leader of the all mouse Easy Crew and he is "Irie Man!"  With his friends Zoomer and Scratchy they are the funkiest kids TV secret agent, crime fighting characters, who solve mysteries and have adventures in Mouseland.  

The characters have been brought to life by Character with 9" plush toys complete with music and sounds from the show.  Rastamouse wears his Rasta Tam and sports his dreadlocks and speaks phrases with Jamaican Patois or sings the Easy Crew song when his tummy is pressed.  

We were sent a Rastamouse Toy and DVD from UKMums.tv so we could try him ourselves.  

The first thing Freddy wanted to do was get his skateboard out from under his arm.  It comes stitched to his body, but a quick snip with scissors and Rastamouse was skateboarding!  Pressing his tummy makes him say one of his phrases such as "Irie Man!" or "Wagwam!" which did make the kids giggle!  Freddy loved making him ride on the skateboard and was most intrigued by his long tail.

The DVD "Da Crucial Plan & Other Adventures" includes six episodes:

• Da Crucial Plan
• Bakin' An Breakin'
• Mice Camera Action
• Da Rhymin' Teef
• Pie Without Cheese
• Toots Re-Routes

Freddy and Kizzy settled down to watch Rastamouse accompanied by their new toy.  From the Rasta-Style opening credits with the motto "make a bad ting good" they were hooked!  When the 'Prez' Wensley Dale calls them in to solve crimes, the Easy Crew spring into action (albeit in a laid back way!)  The stop-frame animation has a retro feel rather than being high tech which adds to the charm.  The stories show how people can get on and solve problems through understanding, love and respect.  It teaches right from wrong and helps wrong doers redeem themselves for their mistakes rather than resorting to punishment.  There is an ethos of forgiveness which is quite heart warming.

I love the cultural references and the fact that us adults can enjoy Rastamouse alongside our children.  The storytelling, humour and the energy are infectious.  The music, colour, language, rhythm and rhyme are engaging.  

Some criticism was levelled against Rastamouse for being racist, and stereotyping the Afro-Caribbean way of life, but this debate is no different to the kerfuffle that exploded when Tinky Winky from the Teletubbies first said "Eh-Oh".  You only need to look at how successful and much loved that show has proved itself to be over the years. Personally I think it is a really positive thing to represent different cultures in our multi-cultural society.  The characters are good role models, doing right and promoting good!   It has gained a cult status with some because of the cultural inferences to the Rasta way of life, but this is a fun CBeebies show with pre-school entertainment at its heart!

Rastamouse (and the other 9" plush characters) are available to buy for £12.99 from Character-Online.

"Da Crucial Plan" is available on DVD for £8.49 at Amazon.

They would make a great gift for any Rastamouse fans!