Kids’ audio platform, tonies®, has launched a new Cultural Tales: Black British Tales Tonie ahead of Black History Month this October. Children are taken on an educational adventure with 8-year-old CJ and her family. The characters discuss Black British history, culture and traditions, and explore the valuable contribution Black British communities have made to the UK.
CJ’s character is played by Taiya Samuel, who stars in CBeebies’ hit TV show JoJo & Gran Gran, and was named best young performer at the most recent BAFTAs for Children & Young People. CJ is a London-born Black British girl on a fact-finding mission to learn all about her family’s experiences living in Britain. CJ’s paternal grandmother is of African descent and came to the UK from Zimbabwe to train as a nurse, while her mother’s family originally arrived from Trinidad as part of the Windrush generation to help rebuild post-war Britain.
The narration takes the form of conversations with family and friends.
It covers various topics including the history of Black people in Britain, from the Stone Age, Roman, Tudor and Windrush ages to discussions around the food, clothing and culture from CJ’s dual Caribbean and African heritage, Notting Hill Carnival, and the important role Black British people have played in our music and sporting industries.
Packed with fascinating historical facts, conversations cover the achievements of many notable Black historical figures, including the pioneering nurse Mary Seacole, King Henry IIV’s trumpeter John Blanke, and Jimmy Peters, the first Black person to play rugby union over 100 years ago.
The experiences of the Windrush generations are also discussed in a poignant moment, as we mark the 75th anniversary of the first landing of HMT Empire Windrush. The Black community’s important role in World War II and the NHS are also celebrated.
Commenting is Rhian Hawkins, Head of UK Brand at tonies®.
“The release of the Cultural Tales: Black British Tales Tonie is a very special moment for us as a brand. Representation in the toy industry is incredibly important, not only for black children and children of colour but for the broad spectrum of UK children, to encourage understanding and appreciation of our richly diverse communities that make Britain such a wonderful place to live.
“Working closely with Black Lives Matter Licensing, we hope to have created a Tonie that explores the topic of race and diversity positively and sensitively, while honouring the huge contribution the many generations of Black British communities have made to our society.”
For further information on tonies®, please click here.
