Yes He Can

Mosgiel man Dean O’Brien, 34, a former radio presenter, has topped the United Kingdom iTunes children’s chart this week with, The Yes I Can Club, an album created to make children feel good about themselves. O’Brien is the first New Zealander to reach No 1 on the children’s music charts in Britain. He developed his “Mr Yipadee” character to promote positive thinking and self-belief in pre-schoolers after being made redundant from his job last May. O’Brien said he hoped to perform a series of free concerts in New Zealand this year “dedicated to the parents and kids that have also hit upon tough times”. O’Brien’s debut album, The Animal Choir, sold over 17,000 copies in the first three months. O’Brien lives in England.


Tags: Animal Choir (The)  children's music  Dean O'Brien  iTunes  Mr Yipadee  Otago Daily Times  The Yes I Can Club  

Amy Brown’s New Novel Inspired by Women and Art

Amy Brown’s New Novel Inspired by Women and Art

Like many writers before her, New Zealand-born Amy Brown takes inspiration from the Australian feminist icon Stella Maria Miles Franklin in her captivating debut novel My Brilliant Sister – but instead…