March Artist of the Month – Donavan Christopher
We caught up with poet Donavan for our March 2020 interview.
About Donavan
Donavan Christopher aka RAPPAMAN is a social peace poet of African Caribbean heritage. Born and educated in the UK has been writing humorous and thought provocative poetry using Rap and spoken word to get his positive messages through to the youths of the millennium age.
His main focus is around youth education building their confidence and bringing awareness to social and everyday issues. His philosophy of Respect All People flows through his work. Also the needs to succeed and be yourself. In a recent interview he showed major concerns related to young peoples reading. Whilst there are some children who have grasped the art there are lots of children who struggle and move on to KS3 and it becomes even more difficult. His latest quest is to help children enjoy and improve their reading skills. It’s always a pleasure and full of things to learn when he is in school at full flow. It can be like theatre with education.
What a visit from Donavan entails
Donavan's school visits are lively, unique and they can be tailored to work with any year group or key stage, from infants to upper secondary. They work best with KS2 and KS3 students typically though.
Focusing on the power of the written and spoken word, his performances and workshops aim to inspire students through active participation. Often performing in the Jamaican patois, he can touch on issues such as respect of self and others, insight to cultural diversity around the world we all share and bullying.
Feedback from Donavan’s previous visits
“Just to say that the visit from Donavan Christopher to our school was a massive success. He is fab!! Nothing too much trouble and he gives that bit extra….that really counts. Professional, inspiring the lot!! Our kids loved him. Many thanks”
Kirkburton Middle School
“I just want share how amazing our experience was. Donavan threw himself into his poetry, engaged with our kids and lit sparks in children we have never seen before.”
The Foreland School
“Donovan was a huge success! He is truly a talented man, with such a wonderful way with children. He was loved by all from Pre-Nursery to Y8, not to mention all the staff. Thank you for sending Donovan our way; he will always be welcome back!”
The International School of Moscow
“A huge thank you for the workshop from Donovan yesterday – he went down a storm! The pupils wouldn’t let him leave as they all wanted his autograph! Many thanks again – I’m sure we’ll be contacting you again in the future!”
Tranmere Park Primary School, Leeds
Read about Donavan and his author visits on his author page here
Interview with Donavan Christopher
When and why did you join Authors Abroad?
I was introduced to Authors Abroad by Nick Toczek a great friend, magician, poet and much more. This was around 2007 where I was given some work for a half day. Tranmere Park Primary I do believe in Leeds. They returned glowing reports and feedback and the rest is the beginning of a great adventure and may it continue.
When did you first become interested in poetry? Did you discover it yourself, through family or was it at school that your interest was peaked?
I have always loved the sound of a rhyme and the deep mysteries that lie within some poems. The gold is hidden, or the treasure buried and the words and meanings places you inside the thoughts of somebody else and how they relate, describe and explain. My parents came from Jamaica with their culture and we have always had rhythms of music playing year to year and the songs were like stories that were sung in rhyme and twang. And some you had to think about what they were actually saying. All while dancing to some great riddims from the 50s 60s and 70s.
So I do love a sing song and do my own reggae performances as Mc Dee Bo General making clean fun and conscious music.
What inspires your poems and where did the idea for Rappaman come from?
My poetry is inspired by my connection to the universe the people who are less fortunate than others my social environment along with the world we all share. What would we be if we were not people who have the ability to help anybody and spread a little love and respect for all. If I can write a wrong and share it politely then so shall it be. Even rubbish and litter have inspired me to write after clearing everybody’s litter from under my garden hedge. I think I wrote four poems the last clear out. And felt much better for my garden and myself. And Rappaman was the title of one of my poems about a superhero in school helping kids so they don’t turn into the penguin or the joker.
I shall leave those guys to The Batman.
What do you enjoy most about visiting schools?
My visits at school are like visiting lost members of my family and having a great day. As I say if you can’t enjoy the working day and leave some smiles on faces then its best they work alone. And I still do love a school pudding.
Is it ever difficult to get students to join in performances or are they usually pretty responsive?
Their all involved if we want a problem solved no staff or stone left unturned all-inclusive visits.
Its performance poetry call and respond and they generally oblige. I keep the pace moving as they say a moving target is harder to hit. But I invite all to participate. The odd time the ice may take time to melt but all tough cookies crumble once the milk has been served.
What tips do you have for those trying to interest disengaged students with poetry who see it as boring?
The tip would be to invite Rappaman I do have a number for him. Sometimes you can’t see the wood for the trees and hearing something about the same subject from a stranger can be all it needs. They can try introducing them to Rap which is very poetic and abstract. There is a book of poems by the great Tupac who also went on to be a fantastic artist. Even the songs they listen will have poetic connotations in the lyrics. So maybe they find some of these songs and discuss the poetic elements.
What do you hope to achieve from your workshops in schools?
I hope to and mostly achieve the outcomes for the day and the reason for my visit. With a heap of extra advice to the children and staff where their needs seem appropriate.
Do you see yourself as a role model? Does this add any pressure to school visits?
I do believe I am a role model that sets a good example firstly to my children who are now all adults. And to the young people I’m able to help educate as a responsible adult. There is no pressure whatsoever at being me.
If you could change or add anything to the curriculum what would it be?
A tough question which I think School teachers would love to answer as they are on the front line of education daily. Would there be room to add without taking something away?
I think World History not bits of it but something that carries you right through to KS4. Your own portfolio to reflect the facts not the fiction of the world and how we go here today.
How did you find being involved in something as important as the anti-gun conferences?
I was sad but delighted to be there to share some advice and wisdom with young people about their futures. And how important education is. Sad that these are the times we now live in which never reared its head up in my time in youth education.
Do you think literature can be used as a tool to help people understand other cultures?
Yes I do believe so, there are many books written around people and their traditions. Whenever you travel to a foreign county most people will have a look at the local customs in a book or online.
Which performer or speaker inspires you the most?
Many great women and men have spoken great things over the centuries to inspire me but of one most recent is Barack Obama the 44th US President.
You’ve recently written a new book of poems; can you tell us what we can expect from your next release?
My next book will be out in the spring of 2020 called Read ALOUD Proudly decorated with some funny, thoughtful and helpful advice. You Must try reading, The Reading Challenge The Con Plan and Stars Waiting For Stars just a few of my favourites. This book is all geared up to help children enjoy reading and reading proudly. It also has a reading certificate to sign if you complete the Reading challenge. 12 poems to be read aloud and proud to the class or an adult. Not to be missed like beans on toast or a healthy breakfast.
Quick Fire
Paperback or Kindle?
Paperback
City break or beach holiday?
One stop driver, Jamaica’s North coast man!
Would you rather be able to be invisible or read minds?
Read minds, I wouldn’t want nobody not to see me
Which cartoon dog is best – Scooby Doo, Pluto or Snoopy?
Got to be snoopy, can I have all 3.. Please they all mean so much to me.
Pen and paper or computer?
Pen and Paper faster than data
If you were Prime Minister for the day, what law would you introduce?
Off with their heads. Oops Sorry you said Prime minister. That I could never be removed from office or number 10. Or for sure BRING BACK HALFDAY SHOPS CLOSE ON WEDNESDAYS.
Arrange for Donavan Christopher to visit your school
To make an enquiry about Donavan, or any of the other authors, poets & illustrators listed on this website, please phone Trevor Wilson on +44 (0) 1535 656015, or email him at trevor@caboodlebooks.co.uk