Mr Hemis

Mr Hemis sings with a ukulele and the kids sing back. His sessions move in rounds: three songs played back to back, then a slower patch for a chat, then another three. Parents are encouraged to act the songs out with their children, and there's time for the kids to hold the ukulele, strum it or tap it like a drum. The songs are ones little ones know, such as Wheels on the Bus, Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, the ABC song, Big Red Car and other Wiggles favourites, plus Taba Naba and Inanay. He came to it after years as a chef, the last few in childcare kitchens. Sessions run 15 to 30 minutes, and childcare centres usually book a mid-morning slot. He needs no set-up, holds a Blue Card and travels up to 50 km from Brisbane.