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Tikki Tikki Tembo

by Arlene Mosel, Blair Lent (Illustrator)

4.18 of 5 stars 4.18 · rating details · 25,237 ratings · 498 reviews

Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-
chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo!

Three decades and more than one million copies later children still love hearing about the boy with the long name who fell down the well. Arlene Mosel and Blair Lent's classic re-creation of an ancient Chinese folktale has hooked legions of children, teachers, and parents, who return, generation after generation...more

Paperback, 48 pages

Published April 17th 2007 by Square Fish (first published 1968)

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Community Reviews

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Oct 30, 2012 Irene rated it 1 of 5 stars

I always felt slightly uneasy about this story even when I was a child. So much so, that a few years ago I looked the book up to re-read it.

Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo reminded of the nonsense "Chinese" words kids would string together to mock me and the other Chinese kids in school. It's almost the equivalent of going up to a kid of Asian descent and chanting, "ching chong ching" --not necessarily racist but very ignorant.

I hope that these days there are fun, e...more

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Nov 17, 2012 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kidsreadtoo-posted-reviews

Reviewed by Jaglvr for Kids @ TeensReadToo.com

You know you have a classic on your hands when your son sees the book you're showing him and goes, "I LOVE that book! We read it in library class!" So already, I had the battle half won when I told my two kids that I received the book and CD to review. As soon as we got in the car to drive to grandma's house, they asked me to put the CD in and leaned together in the back seat with the book open between them.

MacMillan Audio has taken a classic that is...more Reviewed by Jaglvr for Kids @ TeensReadToo.com

You know you have a classic on your hands when your son sees the book you're showing him and goes, "I LOVE that book! We read it in library class!" So already, I had the battle half won when I told my two kids that I received the book and CD to review. As soon as we got in the car to drive to grandma's house, they asked me to put the CD in and leaned together in the back seat with the book open between them.

MacMillan Audio has taken a classic that is over 40 years old and added new life to TIKKI TIKKI TEMBO by adding an unabridged audio book to a paperback edition. Read by the actress Marcia Gay Harden, kids and adults alike can enjoy the tongue twister of a name (that I'll proudly admit my son can rattle off in no time flat) story that many of us have grown up with.

TIKKI TIKKI TEMBO is an old Chinese folktale explaining why they have such short first names. In old times, the Chinese gave their firstborn son long names to honor them. Second sons were given hardly any name at all. Tikki Tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo is Tikki Tikki tembo's full name. His brother's name is merely Chang.

When Chang falls into a well, it's easy for Tikki Tikki tembo to relay the message to his mother and ultimately the man who rescues him. But when the roles become reversed and Tikki Tikki tembo falls into the well, poor Chang runs out of breath trying to relay the message to those that can help rescue him. It's from this event that it is told that Chinese found it wise to stick to short names, like Chang.

Ms. Harden does a wonderful job reading the story. She picks the tempo up when there is stress or drama going on. She over-emphasizes the silliness that is Tikki Tikki tembo's name. And there are many wonderful background sound effects that are employed in the story. There is the sound of running water when both boys are trying to inform their mother of each others falls into the well. There is the sound of running feet as they each try to get help. And the CD has both a read-along version as well as a storytelling version. One has a Chinese gong designating when to turn the page, the other flows uninterrupted.

Included with the set is a copy of the book. With the classic illustrations, it will be sure to bring back memories to the parents of the children who are just discovering the wonders of TIKKI TIKKI TEMBO for the first time.

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Jan 10, 2008 Ian added it

Since I have a rather perverse fascination with being a killjoy when it comes to cultural myths about the Chinese, I looked up something I've been meaning to find for a long time.

http://www.fairrosa.info/disc/tikki.html

Of course I already knew that the name of the title character didn't sound Chinese at all. While I generally agree with the notion that the story doesn't accurately reflect historical Chinese culture, I still nonetheless like the the tale, especially the illustrations. There's thi...more

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Jun 12, 2013 Kaycee rated it 3 of 5 stars

What's in a name? Tikki Tikki Tembo has a lot in his name, it's so long it takes three lines to say, his brother though has a much shorter and easily pronounced name, Chang. This ancient Chinese folktale tells the story of why the Chinese now give their children short, easy names to say. This is a fun tale and the lines are very rhythmic, though the don't contain any rhyming. The flow of the story and the tempo work very well, and it easy to see as a reader how it could have been adapted from an...more

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Mar 08, 2013 Tessa Ann rated it 2 of 5 stars

When I was younger I had read this book and enjoyed it, so when I had saw it at the book store the other day I wanted to read it to remember why I enjoyed it so much. After reading it I came to realize why I had enjoyed it so much. I really enjoyed his name Tikki tikki tembo no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo, yes it was very long but i looked forward to saying it over and ver again. I think that children would love this book because it rhymes and what kid doesn't like to rhyme? You can...more

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Nov 19, 2012 Lena rated it 3 of 5 stars

Grade/Interest level: Primary/ Upper Elementary (K-3rd)
Reading Level: Lexile, 1090
Genre: Picture Book, Multicultural Literature, Traditional Literature

Main Characters: Tikki Tikki Tembo-No Sa Rembo-chari Bari Ruchi-pip Peri Pembo, Chang, Mother
Setting: Ancient China
POV: Narrator

Summary: "Tikki Tikki Tembo" is book that is set in ancient China. The story starts off by saying in ancient China the names of the first born sons were really long and elaborate. They were really hard to say and they we...more

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Nov 19, 2012 Taylor Adams rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-reviews

Main Characters: Tikki Tikki Tembo, Chang and the towns people

Settings: China

P.O.V: Third Person

Summary: This book talks about customs in ancient China where the first born son would be honored by their parents and given an elaborate long name that everyone has to say. The boys name is Tikki Tikki Tembo-no Sa Rembo-chari Bari Ruchi-pip Peri Pembo (The Most Wonderful Thing in the Whole Wide World) and his brother has a simple name Chang. They play near a water well after their mother told them to...more

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Nov 06, 2012 Rachel Kenney rated it 2 of 5 stars

Grade/interest level: Primary
Reading level: 1090 Lexile
Genre: Picture Book/Fables/Multicultural Literature
Main Characters: Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo, Chang, Mother
Setting: Ancient China
POV: Narrator

Tikki Tikki Tembo is book that is set in ancient China. The story starts off by saying in ancient China the names of the first born sons were really long and elaborate. They were really hard to say and no one could shorten them. However, the name of the second bo...more

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Oct 23, 2012 Savanah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Reading Level: 3.7 (Lexile: 1090L)
Interest Level: K-2
Genre: Multicultural Literature, Fables, Folk Tale
Main Character: Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo
Setting: China
POV: Narrator

This is a fantastic book and has been a favorite of mine since I was a child. This is a story about a tradition in the Chinese culture where the first and honored sons great long names. In this story there are two boys, Chang the second born son and Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari r...more Reading Level: 3.7 (Lexile: 1090L)
Interest Level: K-2
Genre: Multicultural Literature, Fables, Folk Tale
Main Character: Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo
Setting: China
POV: Narrator

This is a fantastic book and has been a favorite of mine since I was a child. This is a story about a tradition in the Chinese culture where the first and honored sons great long names. In this story there are two boys, Chang the second born son and Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo the first born son. The two boys were playing near a well their mother told them not to play in. Chang falls in and Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo goes to tell his mom. When she realizes this, she sends Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo to go out the mountain to get the man will the tall ladder to get him out. Because Chang had such a short name, Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo was able to quickly tell him mother and the man with the ladder to save Chang. Many months later, Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo fell into the well. Chang ran off to tell his mother but was so tired that he couldn't say Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo fast enough. Eventually Chang was able to tell his mother. She sent up the hill to the man with the ladder. Chang took such a long time saying Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo that Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo almost drowned. At the end, it took Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo many more months to recover and since that day, Chinese have thought to give their first born sons shorter names.

I really love this book because it shows Chinese culture in the illustrations as well as in the content of the book. Growing up, I am sure most people have heard traditions but not too much of the reasoning behind them. This story really shows off a Chinese tradition and how the tradition may have changed. I would really like this for my 1st graders for the fact that I can teach them "Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo" and they can say it with me if I choose to do this as a read aloud. (less)

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Jul 14, 2012 Emily Cunningham rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: two-year-olds-love-it

Absolutely loved this book as a child, and now my two year-old loves it. Each time I read Tikki's name, I tickle my daughter and she waits the entire story in giggling dread for the next repetition of the child's name. I greatly value the story for its teaching of cause and effect (I once, like Chang and Tikki, similarly ignored my mother's stern warning and fell into a creek; I'll never forget the surprise of that moment as I had been sure I was invincible and had things under control - classic...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Courtney Turpen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: traditional

This Tikki Tikki Tembo book is about a mother and her two sons. One, which is the oldest son who has a very long name and is considered the best of the two sons. The youngest son has a very short name and is not appreciated at all. When the youngest son fell into to well the mother got the old man with the ladder, they pulled him out, then talked about his foolish ways. Then the brothers eventually went back and the oldest son fell in the second time. The mother could hardly believe the story. S...more

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Sep 12, 2011 Jade Nguyen rated it 3 of 5 stars

1. Folktale/Fable

2. Two Chinese brothers, the first-born named Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo and the second born named Chang, both fall into a well at different points in the story. Chang is immediately saved by the old man, but it takes longer for Tikki Tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo to be saved and recover due to his long name.

3a. Area for comment: Accuracy ( - )

3b. The title, Tikki Tikki Tembo, does not accurately represent the ancient...more 1. Folktale/Fable

2. Two Chinese brothers, the first-born named Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo and the second born named Chang, both fall into a well at different points in the story. Chang is immediately saved by the old man, but it takes longer for Tikki Tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo to be saved and recover due to his long name.

3a. Area for comment: Accuracy ( - )

3b. The title, Tikki Tikki Tembo, does not accurately represent the ancient Chinese culture. Mosel states that the Chinese have come to using short names because of this particular well incident. Although this is a folktale and should not be taken literally, the reasoning behind Chinese short names is absurd.

3c.) Firstly, an example of the title’s inaccuracy is the first-born son’s name “Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-charo bari ruchi-pip peri pembo” (mentioned on several pages). This is not an authentic name for any Chinese boy and presumes to be slightly condescending. It would be more believable to have the name be of a Japanese boy where the consonants are more pronounced. I would also question the definitions provided for the meaning of “Chang” and “Tikki tikki...” Secondly, an example of inaccurate reasoning can be found on pg. 38, “And from that day to this the Chinese have always thought it wise to give all their children little, short names instead of great long names.”

4.) Tikki Tikki Tembo is written for PreS - Grade 3. To provide this book as a historical feature/lesson in the classroom would be, to me, a disservice to my students. However, this is not to say that the title can not provide positive thinking. Instead of using the title for historical purposes, I would use it to manifest critical thinking in cultural diversity. Specifically why the two little sons address their mother as “most honorable one” and why first born sons were treated differently. Some of these concerns, mentioned above in 3b and 3c, can be forgiven since the title was written in a time (1968) when Americans did not look too highly upon the Chinese with the communist uproar. Though, it does not change the amount of caution one should take when sharing this with the classroom. Thus, my only fear is whether or not it would pose a positive or negative view on the Chinese culture. Careful planning and approach is advised with this title.

Positive notes:
(+) Text: repetition
(+) Illustration: attention to detail, culture (clothes), environment
(+) Feelings of suspense, excitement(less)

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Jan 08, 2011 Ronyell rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-books, chinese-books, drama, family-situations, picture-books, read-in-1993, reviewed-books, ronyell-s-epinions-reviews, weston-woods

I actually first heart of this book on a Weston Woods video and I really enjoyed this story! “Tikki Tikki Tembo” is an old Chinese folktale retold by Arlene Mosel along with illustrations by Blair Lent and it is about how a young boy named Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruche-pip peri pembo (what a name!) gets into big trouble because of his long name. “Tikki Tikki Tembo” is certainly a great book for children who are fans of Chinese folklore!

I have always found this book extremely int...more I actually first heart of this book on a Weston Woods video and I really enjoyed this story! “Tikki Tikki Tembo” is an old Chinese folktale retold by Arlene Mosel along with illustrations by Blair Lent and it is about how a young boy named Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruche-pip peri pembo (what a name!) gets into big trouble because of his long name. “Tikki Tikki Tembo” is certainly a great book for children who are fans of Chinese folklore!

I have always found this book extremely interesting to read, especially about the part where the first sons are given long and extravagant names, while the second sons are always given short names in Ancient China. Arlene Mosel has done an excellent job at retelling this ancient Chinese folktale as the story is cute and somewhat intense at the same time. I really loved the way that Arlene Mosel repeats Tikki tikki tembo’s long name (Tikki tikki tembo – no sa rembo - chari bari ruchi – pip peri pembo) over and over again in the book since it is a huge tongue twister to say fast! I also loved the close relationship between Tikki tikki tembo and his brother Chang as they loved to play with each other all the time and they are always willing to help each other out during their time of need. Blair Lent’s illustrations are simplistic since there are only yellow, blue, white, black, grey and green colors on each page, but the illustrations still make the story entertaining to read, especially as they capture the true essence of Ancient China and it was also interesting to see a big contrast in clothing between Tikki tikki tembo and Chang as Tikki tikki tembo is dressed in a blue royal looking outfit while Chang is always dressed in a yellow country styled outfit, which indicates to the audience about the importance of their names.

The reason why I gave this book a four star rating instead of a five star rating is because of the way that Chang was treated in this book. Since Chang is the second born son of the family, his mother never really noticed him and they also seemed to lack any concern for when Chang fell into the well. Also, near the end of the story, it was unclear whether Chango was treated any better after the incident in the well. I usually do not approve of children being treated less kindly than their older or younger siblings, so this was a big issue for me in this book. Also, some children might feel like that their parents are paying more to their younger or older sibling and that might upset them, so parents should tell their children that they will always love all of their children equally.

All in all, “Tikki Tikki Tembo” is a great book for fans of Chinese folklore and for children who enjoy reading about some good sibling bonding! I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since the scenes where the boys fall into the well might be too intense for smaller children.
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Oct 06, 2009 Missy Kutyla rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: traditional-literature

Sarah, Thanks for bringing back fun memories. This became one of my favorite read-alouds in my student teaching days based on how my third-grade students responded to this literature. I did a section on international festivals and symbolisms in other cultures for social studies and made informational animals/dragon symbolism posters to hang in the room. I had this incredibly long name on the board with some words covered to see who was familiar with the story and build anticipation. Some kids wo...more

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Jan 26, 2013 Asho rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: sebastian-s-books, read-but-do-not-own

I loved this book when I was a kid. The repetition of Tikki-tikki-tembo's long name is great fun. I remember also being very intrigued, and sort of troubled-in-a-fascinated-way by the idea that a parent might favor one child over another, so in that sense this book sent me off on some early childhood critical thinking. I also really liked the illustrations when I was little because they felt very different from the illustrations in most of my other books (Mosel's The Funny Little Woman has simil...more

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Dec 14, 2011 Caroline rated it 5 of 5 stars

Tikki Tikki Tembo
Retold by Arlene Mosel
Illustrated by Blair Lent
Winner of the Horn Book Award

Where's the Math?

Based off of an old Chinese folk tale, Tikki Tikki Tembo tells the story of a small boy and his brother who keeps falling into the well. Tikki Tikki Tembo has such a long time, and so whenever his brother tells his mother that Tikki Tikki Tembo has fallen into the well, it takes such a long time for him to tell her, that his mother doesn't listen. Finally, the old man with the ladder sa...more

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Nov 16, 2012 Nicholas Humilier rated it 4 of 5 stars

Grade/interest level: K-2
Lexile: 1090
Reading level: 3.7
Genre: Traditional Literature, Multicultural Literature

Main Characters: Tikki Tikki Tembo, Mother, Chang, Old Man
Setting: China
POV: Third Person

This folktale takes place in ancient China. Many years ago, parents gave their first born son long elaborate names to display their prominence in the family. The second born son, and others to follow, were given less significant names. Tikki Tikki Tembo is the first born son, and his younger brother...more

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Oct 10, 2011 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: childrens

Tikki Tikki Tembo
By Arlene Mosel

Genre: Traditional Literature

In a small village in China, Tikki Tikki Tembo and his younger brother often accompany their mother to the river to wash their clothes. Next to the river is a deep well that the boys like to play on. The boys, at one point or another, fall in the well. It is only Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo had such a long name that the poor boy almost perished in the bottom of the well.

Critique:
A. The area for critiq...more Tikki Tikki Tembo
By Arlene Mosel

Genre: Traditional Literature

In a small village in China, Tikki Tikki Tembo and his younger brother often accompany their mother to the river to wash their clothes. Next to the river is a deep well that the boys like to play on. The boys, at one point or another, fall in the well. It is only Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo had such a long name that the poor boy almost perished in the bottom of the well.

Critique:
A. The area for critique is both the illustrations and the word choice.
B. The illustrations are excellent. They aren't bright nor dull, containing mainly blue, brown, green and black. And the illustrations are definitely eye-catching. The illustrations also portray Chinese customs well. The word choice is exemplary. I would use this story for first and second graders. I think the lesson that the Chinese learned about giving their first born an exceptionally long name was not always the best option is a great way for students to learn a little bit about other countries and their customs.
C. Inside the front and back covers are illustrations of the town. Both of these depict Chinese drawings and I think are excellent examples of Chinese towns. Towards the middle of the book, the two-page spread of the dragon for the Festival of the Eighth Moon is an excellent connection for Chinese customs and drawings. Students can also see that the Chinese celebrate a Festival of the Eighth Moon. The teacher could then do some background research on the Festival and present this to the students as well.

Curriculum Connection:
I would use this book as an introduction for China or other holidays that other countries celebrate. I saw this title listed in the back of the textbook by Jim Trelease and knew I had read it as a child. I had to rent it from the library and re-read it. It was just as enjoyable this time around as it was as a child. My daughter likes to say the full name, "Tikki Tikki Tembo....and so on." This is a must read for any second grade classroom.
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Jan 10, 2010 Yuliati rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-stories

One thing that really bothers me is that the long name Tikki Tikki Tembo-no ...... doesn't mean "the most wonderful thing in the whole wide world" and also 'Chang' doesn't mean "little or nothing". In fact, the long name 'tikki tikki tembo-no .... ' is sound more Japanese than Chinese. As someone who understand Chinese & Japanese language, I feel it is very annoying to tell a wrong thing to the children. I actually confused them by teaching the wrong meanings of "Chang". While it's probably...more One thing that really bothers me is that the long name Tikki Tikki Tembo-no ...... doesn't mean "the most wonderful thing in the whole wide world" and also 'Chang' doesn't mean "little or nothing". In fact, the long name 'tikki tikki tembo-no .... ' is sound more Japanese than Chinese. As someone who understand Chinese & Japanese language, I feel it is very annoying to tell a wrong thing to the children. I actually confused them by teaching the wrong meanings of "Chang". While it's probably fun in English to chant the names but it is still saying things with wrong meaning. Children has wonderful brain that enable them to remember things when they were young and still remember it even after when they became grandparent. So, it is a pity if they have to remember incorrect things in their life. I very much prefer that the author would do a bit more research in putting the Chinese names and pick something that sounds more like Chinese language with the correct meaning.

As for the story, it's a very simple and at the end was telling us why Chinese people giving their children a short names rather than great long names. Is this valid reason??? I don't think so because there is no base to prove that Chinese people has long names before. I gave 1 star for the effort of the illustrators who draws the pictures. However, those pictures also culturally incorrect. The peoples are wearing Japanese traditional clothes but claiming to be Chinese. I think it's sad to pass this incorrect information to our children. Specially who are just starting to learn the other people's cultures.

I think Amazon or any other media should just catagorised it as children English book instead of focusing on Asian or Chinese story because it does not reflect Chinese culture correctly. Apart of that, it is sad thing to tell 2nd child that he is 'little' or 'nothing' means not loved by the mother. It is also not true in Chinese culture that 2nd son are not loved. I think it's not worth buying for your children. I regret buying it, had returned it to the shop & swap it with something else more interesting.(less)

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Apr 06, 2011 Alexa Maring rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: culture, children-s-book

I used to LOVE this book as a child! The character's name brought such rhythm to the story, it was almost intoxicating to say. Children love to say the name! In a read aloud, let them insert his name, rather than reading it on your own. Let them be a part of the story! As many children's story share, the moral of this story is to listen when you are told something. Not listening to his mother wound little Chang at the bottom of a well! Not learning their lesson the first time, Tikki tikki tembo-...more

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Sep 05, 2012 Marjorie Estavillo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel, is one of my favorite books of all time! If you have not read it I highly recommend it! This book is really fun to read in a big group, especially when a great story teller reads it to you! This this story starts off with two little boys who take a trip up to the well! When the first born and most honored son Tikki tikki tempo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo, fell into the well it's up to Chang to go get help to get him out! Change has to run all ov...more

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Sep 24, 2011 u1124876 UEL rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is tale of young Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo, who is the first born son, and his little brother called Chang! The long name means 'the most wonderful thing in the whole wide world' and his little brother’s name means 'little or nothing'.

I can imagine having a lot fun reading this with a class of lower KS1 children and possibly role playing Tikki Tikki Tembo falling down the well and Chang rushing, with his little legs, to tell Mother. I would need excellen...more

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Jan 30, 2009 Mindy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: children

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 05, 2009 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: traditional-literature

This is one of my favorite folktales. I remember my school librarian reading this to my class during library time in my early elementary school years. The full name of the title character was so catchy, having a musical, rhythmic feel to it. We anxiously awaited each chance to try chiming in on the telling of the boy’s impossibly long name, each time getting a little better at pronouncing and relaying each part of the name. When I started teaching bilingual Spanish-speaking primary students, I p...more

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Missy Kutyla Sarah, Thanks for bringing back fun memories. This became one of my favorite read-alouds in my student teaching days based on how my third-grade stude...more
Oct 06, 2009 11:46am

Sarah Revisiting this text after class discussion:
Dr. Yokota pointed out something which I did not realize, as well as something I had not stopped to consi...more
Oct 09, 2009 04:44pm

Jan 09, 2009 Chandra rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: picture-books, best-read-aloud, classics-kids

Despite the fact that this isn't a 'real' folktale and recent charges of cultural inaccuracy and stereotyping I still loved this book. I feel a little guilty, but it's seriously a read aloud dream. I really think it's all just in good fun. If a child lives in an open minded and culturally aware household I can't imagine that this book will do any harm.

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Jul 12, 2008 Dolly rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: parents reading with kids

Shelves: childrens, 2007, china-chinese, favorites, rhyming

We love this story! It's so fun to read aloud and we also enjoyed listening to this read aloud on a CD in the car. It's a folktale with gorgeous and funny illustrations and a story that is a tongue-twister to read aloud. Our girls love saying the number one precious son's name aloud...over and over and over again. We've read this book several times.

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Jan 05, 2009 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars

As a child, I loved this story and my poor mother to read it every night for who knows how long. I remembered it so fondly I couldn't wait to read it to my children. The song songy name of the child is much longer than the title and so fun to say when you're a kid. I was horrified to finally find the book at my mothers and read it to my 4 year old. The nostalgia and childhood niavete masked the awfulness of this story about a mother who only cares for one child, her firstborn. The lesson is rein...more

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Nov 08, 2011 Nicole Thompson rated it 5 of 5 stars

When I was younger I absolutely loved reading this book. I found it on a website listing social issue books, and decided to read it again. this book definitely contains social issues, those of the chinese culture and how it can effect its children. This book is about a boy named Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo. His name is so long because he is the first born son in his family. His younger brother grows to strongly dislike his own very short name because it doesn't...more

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Aug 29, 2011 Nancy rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: kids

I love this story. I love the repetition. I love the rhythm of the repeated name. It's funny. But it doesn't feel at all Chinese. It feels condescending--those funny Asians with their nonsense language.

When a teacher I taught with included this and several other stories "about China" in a unit on China, I had to squirm. I had just returned from living in China and wanted to give the kids a feeling for actaul Chinese folktales

Tiki Tiki Tembo is probably based on a Japanese story in which the dad...more

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Jan 16, 2012 Finn Pennekamp rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book, which came from my friends Kate and Stu, is awesome in many, many ways. First of all, the illustrations are incredible. Secondly, it's fun every time my parents try to say Tikki Tikki Tembo's full name: Tikki Tikki Tembo-no Sa Rembo-chari Bari Ruchi-pip Peri Pembo.

After reading this book, though, I am extremely glad that I am forever and always First and Most Honorable Son. Because if I learned anything from this story, it's that NO ONE likes the younger sibling. Seriously, not a sin...more

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About Arlene Mosel

Arlene Tichy Mosel was a American author of children's literature who was best-known for her illustrated books Tikki Tikki Tembo, a retelling of a Chinese folk tale, and the award-winning The Funny Little Woman, which was the recipient of the Caldecott Medal for illustration in 1973.

She was born as Arlene Tichy on August 27, 1921, in Cleveland, Ohio to Edward J. Tichy, an engraver and Marie Fingul...more Arlene Tichy Mosel was a American author of children's literature who was best-known for her illustrated books Tikki Tikki Tembo, a retelling of a Chinese folk tale, and the award-winning The Funny Little Woman, which was the recipient of the Caldecott Medal for illustration in 1973.

She was born as Arlene Tichy on August 27, 1921, in Cleveland, Ohio to Edward J. Tichy, an engraver and Marie Fingulin Tichy. She attended Ohio Wesleyan University, where she was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1942, and later attended Western Reserve University (now Case Western Reserve University) where she graduated with a Master of Science in Library Science degree in 1959. She married sales engineer Victor H. Mosel on December 26, 1942, with whom she had three children; Nancy Mosel Farrar, Joanne and James.

Mosel had been an assistant in the children's department at Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, before becoming an associate professor of library science at Case Western Reserve University. She was also an assistant coordinator of Children's Services at the Cuyahoga County Public Library.

Her book Tikki Tikki Tembo, published by Holt in 1968 and with illustrations by Blair Lent, was presented as a retelling of a traditional Chinese story about a boy whose rescue after falling into a well was delayed due to his extremely lengthy name. The book was recognized as an American Library Association Notable Book and was recognized that year with the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. In 1997, the book was selected by The New York Times on its list of the 50 best children's books of the previous 50 years. It has been suggested however that the story probably originated from the Japanese folktale Jugemu instead of a Chinese folktale.

In another collaboration with illustrator Blair Lent, Mosel's 1972 story The Funny Little Woman, published by E. P. Dutton, won the Caldecott Medal for illustration, and was recognized as an Honor Book in the 1974 Hans Christian Andersen International Children's Book Awards and was a Boston Globe–Horn Book Award honor list selection.

Mosel died in May 1996 in Indianapolis.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/arlene...
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/551876.Tikki_Tikki_Tembo?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317064300l/551876.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/551876.Tikki_Tikki_Tembo?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel[/url]

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