For many across the Caribbean, Cabbie Chronicles was more than just an animated series — it was a groundbreaking moment in regional storytelling. Behind that success was Alison Tabois Latchman, who served as co-creator, writer, producer, and voice director on what became the Caribbean’s first animated television series.
Even after the show’s run ended, Alison’s commitment to storytelling and cultural representation never slowed down. Through her children’s book series, Magnus the Mongoose, she continues creating stories that reflect Caribbean identity, language, and everyday experiences for young readers.
Her passion for community impact became especially visible following Hurricane Melissa, when she donated more than 150 books to children in affected areas across Jamaica. What started as a simple act of support soon evolved into a larger literacy effort.
Earlier this year, on International Day of Happiness, Alison officially launched the Send a Book Home initiative. The campaign encourages Jamaicans living overseas to give back by donating books to the schools they once attended.
Centered around the title Magnus the Mongoose Meets New Friends, the initiative helps distribute books to schools and youth programs throughout Jamaica, making culturally relatable stories more accessible to children.
The Magnus the Mongoose concept actually began years ago as a companion idea to Cabbie Chronicles, designed specifically for younger audiences. Since then, it has grown into a recognized children’s series, with its first book previously selected as Jamaica’s official Reading Week title.
We had the pleasure of speaking with Alison on why this movement is so significant for her:
“May is celebrated as Child Month and in many of the initiatives for schools, children with learning disabilities are often forgotten. It was important for me to dedicate National Children’s Day to read to the children and gift them copies of Magnus the Mongoose Meets New Friends after learning that the target age of the book fit in with the school’s population. The gesture was appreciated by the children and the staff. They also need funding to continue providing well needed resources for the children so I was happy to use my platform to help spread the word. Reading to the children at JACLD formed part of a larger mission to encourage Jamaican children to read more, especially about their culture.”
Today, the project stands as more than a collection of children’s books. It represents a growing effort to encourage literacy while preserving and celebrating Caribbean culture through storytelling.
Follow Magnus the Mongoose on Instagram: @magthemon
Read more about Alison’s work: https://jamaicans.com/how-alison-latchman-is-using-animation-and-books-to-inspire-jamaican-children-worldwide/