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Tikki Tikki Tembo
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, to learn about the danger of having such an honorable name as Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo.
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, to learn about the danger of having such an honorable name as Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo.
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
180 people are currently reading
12101 people want to read
About the author
Arlene Mosel
12 books22 followersArlene 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...
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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,162 reviews
January 10, 2010
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.
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.
October 30, 2012
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, engaging picture books out there for kids that also portray Chinese culture accurately.
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, engaging picture books out there for kids that also portray Chinese culture accurately.
November 3, 2022
This book is sure to capture the attention of the entire class on their reading rug. The listeners will eagerly latch onto the challenge of memorizing the 21-syllable name of this first son. The illustrations by Blaire Lent are intricate and imaginative. When these two boys play by the well, one falls in and the other goes to tell their mother. She sends the frantic boy to fetch "Old Man With The Ladder." When Tikki Tikki Tembo is fetching help on behalf of his little brother Chang, the rescue happens quickly and there is a fast and full recovery. But when it is Chang doing the rescuing, the long name slows down the whole process. An experience to learn from. Here's my question: Why didn't the boys just go straight to the hill where "Old Man With The Ladder" lived? It's a mystery. . .
February 19, 2021
Please note that I do realise Arlene Mosel's Tikki Tikki Tembo is a multiple award winner and considered by many as a well-loved and enduring classic, and I can as an older (and educated) adult to a certain point also at least somewhat appreciate how her, how Mosel’s presented text can be a fun and engaging pourquoi type of folktale (adaptation) for young children (with Blair Bent's accompanying illustrations providing a delightful and at least to and for my untrained eyes realistic appearing mirror of both Arlene Mosel’s narrative and general Chinese culture, or perhaps more precisely, ancient Chinese culture, although truth be told, there are also, it seems, multiple claims that not only the text but also the illustrations of Tikki Tikki Tembo are actually more Japanese than Chinese, something that would indeed be rather problematic, but is also something that I do not really feel I can comment on all that much, as I am in no way even remotely an expert with regard to Chinese and Japanese folklore, with regard to Chinese and Japanese culture and history).
But due to a rather (no, due to an absolutely horrible) reading aloud experience I personally had with Tikki Tikki Tembo as a child, I must unilaterally and strongly admit that I have NEVER ever liked this book, and have in fact pretty well despised it and quite vehemently so. For in grade four (in 1976) when I had as a ten year old just immigrated with my family to Canada (from Germany), and during an ESL session about two months after my siblings and I had arrived without much English and of course pretty strong German accents when we did try to speak English, our oh so enlightened ESL "teacher" decided to read Tikki Tikki Tembo aloud to the class, nothing wrong with this, of course, and in and of itself, except that she, that the ESL teacher read Tikki Tikki Tembo to us with a horrible and artificial Chinese "accent" that even to my untrained ears sounded totally like she was deliberately making fun of, that she was nastily mocking the latter (and also then expected us to imitate said accent later, seemingly when I dared to complain about this because she wanted us to learn to get rid of our and I quote "disgusting" foreign accents).
Now I am of course more than well aware of the fact that realistically speaking, author Arlene Mosel herself cannot and really should not be blamed for an ignorant and bigoted ESL instructor using her Tikki Tikki Tembo in a silly and culturally inappropriate manner. However, emotionally, my childhood experience with Tikki Tikki Tembo and how it was used to poke some rather nasty and culturally insensitive fun at not only Chinese but basically at ALL types of foreign accents still smarts a bit and gives me some rather strange flashbacks whenever I do think back to the book (especially since now, after having studied a bit of linguistics during the course of my university education, I also have to wonder whether that long name of the favoured son in Tikki Tikki Tembo is actually bona fide Chinese or just some strung together nonsense sounds the author believes could be Chinese, as there is also no supplemental information with regard to the genesis of this claimed and supposed "traditional" Chinese folk tale, no sources listed, and yes, also no way to even remotely figure out whether Tikki Tikki Tembo's long and unwieldy name is therefore really actual Chinese characters written in Latin script). And thus, and for me on a personal level, although I can definitely understand those of you who have fond memories of Arlene Mosel's repetitive and chant-like narrative, who have experienced Tikki Tikki Tembo as a positive and sweetly nostalgic childhood memory, well for me, my childhood memory of Tikki Tikki Tembo has been the exact opposite of enjoyable, has been saddening, frustrating and so haunting that I will only ever consider this book with a two star rating at best (and now rounded down to one star, as the more I do think about Tikki Tikki Tembo the more I cringe, because in my opinion, if a book can so easily be used as a culturally and racially inappropriate educational tool, then the author should even if he or she never intended this, bear at least some responsibility).
But due to a rather (no, due to an absolutely horrible) reading aloud experience I personally had with Tikki Tikki Tembo as a child, I must unilaterally and strongly admit that I have NEVER ever liked this book, and have in fact pretty well despised it and quite vehemently so. For in grade four (in 1976) when I had as a ten year old just immigrated with my family to Canada (from Germany), and during an ESL session about two months after my siblings and I had arrived without much English and of course pretty strong German accents when we did try to speak English, our oh so enlightened ESL "teacher" decided to read Tikki Tikki Tembo aloud to the class, nothing wrong with this, of course, and in and of itself, except that she, that the ESL teacher read Tikki Tikki Tembo to us with a horrible and artificial Chinese "accent" that even to my untrained ears sounded totally like she was deliberately making fun of, that she was nastily mocking the latter (and also then expected us to imitate said accent later, seemingly when I dared to complain about this because she wanted us to learn to get rid of our and I quote "disgusting" foreign accents).
Now I am of course more than well aware of the fact that realistically speaking, author Arlene Mosel herself cannot and really should not be blamed for an ignorant and bigoted ESL instructor using her Tikki Tikki Tembo in a silly and culturally inappropriate manner. However, emotionally, my childhood experience with Tikki Tikki Tembo and how it was used to poke some rather nasty and culturally insensitive fun at not only Chinese but basically at ALL types of foreign accents still smarts a bit and gives me some rather strange flashbacks whenever I do think back to the book (especially since now, after having studied a bit of linguistics during the course of my university education, I also have to wonder whether that long name of the favoured son in Tikki Tikki Tembo is actually bona fide Chinese or just some strung together nonsense sounds the author believes could be Chinese, as there is also no supplemental information with regard to the genesis of this claimed and supposed "traditional" Chinese folk tale, no sources listed, and yes, also no way to even remotely figure out whether Tikki Tikki Tembo's long and unwieldy name is therefore really actual Chinese characters written in Latin script). And thus, and for me on a personal level, although I can definitely understand those of you who have fond memories of Arlene Mosel's repetitive and chant-like narrative, who have experienced Tikki Tikki Tembo as a positive and sweetly nostalgic childhood memory, well for me, my childhood memory of Tikki Tikki Tembo has been the exact opposite of enjoyable, has been saddening, frustrating and so haunting that I will only ever consider this book with a two star rating at best (and now rounded down to one star, as the more I do think about Tikki Tikki Tembo the more I cringe, because in my opinion, if a book can so easily be used as a culturally and racially inappropriate educational tool, then the author should even if he or she never intended this, bear at least some responsibility).
August 29, 2011
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 can't decide on a name and chooses all of them: Jugemu-jugemu Gokonosurikire Kaijarisuigyo-no Suigyomatsu Unraimatsu Furaimatsu Kunerutokoroni-sumutokoro Yaburakojino-burakoji Paipopaipo-paiponoshuringan Shuringanno-gurindai Gurindaino-ponpokopino-ponpokonano Chokyumeino-chosuke. There's no second son.
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 can't decide on a name and chooses all of them: Jugemu-jugemu Gokonosurikire Kaijarisuigyo-no Suigyomatsu Unraimatsu Furaimatsu Kunerutokoroni-sumutokoro Yaburakojino-burakoji Paipopaipo-paiponoshuringan Shuringanno-gurindai Gurindaino-ponpokopino-ponpokonano Chokyumeino-chosuke. There's no second son.
August 3, 2019
My students LOVE the repetitive verse!
August 19, 2017
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 Chang 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.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
April 13, 2017
Tikki Tikki Tembo - what you get is a fun and simple children's tale. Lots of repitition. Children falling down a well which is always hilarious. The illustrations are nice too.
However, it's as genuinely Chinese as the Chinese place in the food court. And I really don't think anyone is buying this for source material on Chinese culture. Then again, I am a white guy talking about ethnicity.
Cute little story that my unborn baby liked, but I'll see if it withstands the test of time.
However, it's as genuinely Chinese as the Chinese place in the food court. And I really don't think anyone is buying this for source material on Chinese culture. Then again, I am a white guy talking about ethnicity.
Cute little story that my unborn baby liked, but I'll see if it withstands the test of time.
November 30, 2022
I just read this adorable book again. I remember reading this book when I was very little and I loved it then and still do!! This book has wonderfully colored illustrations for children to fall in love with 💕
It brings back so many wonderful memories!! This simple book says so much in a way children of all ages can easily understand. There's a beautiful moral in the story about naming your children properly. All of us who read this book most likely have the name Tikki Tikki Tembo - no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi- pip peri pembo memorized...I know that I do😃 I always admired little Chang and his courage!!!!!
Enjoy!!
It brings back so many wonderful memories!! This simple book says so much in a way children of all ages can easily understand. There's a beautiful moral in the story about naming your children properly. All of us who read this book most likely have the name Tikki Tikki Tembo - no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi- pip peri pembo memorized...I know that I do😃 I always admired little Chang and his courage!!!!!
Enjoy!!
February 26, 2023
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.
January 2018 update: Years later, looking back at this book, I can understand criticisms of this book based on racial stereotyping and the inaccurate portrayal of Chinese people.
But the fact that it is based on an ancient Chinese folktale makes me less anxious about it myself. I can't help but love the contrast between the two boys' names and the lyrical way the words flow.
This book was selected as one of the books for the January 2018: Boston Globe - Horn Book PB Winners 1967-1974 discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
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.
January 2018 update: Years later, looking back at this book, I can understand criticisms of this book based on racial stereotyping and the inaccurate portrayal of Chinese people.
But the fact that it is based on an ancient Chinese folktale makes me less anxious about it myself. I can't help but love the contrast between the two boys' names and the lyrical way the words flow.
This book was selected as one of the books for the January 2018: Boston Globe - Horn Book PB Winners 1967-1974 discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
Read
January 10, 2008Since 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 this one page where Chang is gearing up to say the name, and he bends over backward to a 90-degree angle... I love that one.
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 this one page where Chang is gearing up to say the name, and he bends over backward to a 90-degree angle... I love that one.
February 20, 2024
Spoiler: the actual reason Chinese names are so short is that Chinese is a logogram language with one character producing one syllable. Two to three characters (occasionally four if you have a rare two character patronym) make up a name.
In other words, this book is a totally inaccurate origin story, and unnecessarily so, as surely this information about Chinese names was available when it was written. I found a copy in the library discard bin when I was around six, and astonishingly, my Chinese mother was willing to read it to me (though she assured me it was rubbish).
Tikki Tikki Tembo came up in a conversation with my partner about things we liked as kids that we now find offensive. After 30 years of not thinking about this book, I was surprised to find that I still remembered the full Tikki Tikki Tembo (-no Sa Rembo-chari Bari Ruchi-pip Peri Pembo) name in its weirdly compelling trochaic meter. So - as far as earworms go, I will concede this book is a winner.
But it's also very much a product of its times (1960s) in which it was okay to appropriate a real culture, tell a fake story about it, and even win accolades for doing so. How many American kids thought this represented something about Chinese culture? The first question on Google about this book is, "What does Tikki Tikki Tembo mean in Chinese?" And of course, the answer is absolutely eff all. It could as easily have been set in a made up land, but no, let's imagine that the people who came up with clever things like gunpowder, paper, and noodles (!!) are so stupidly attached to ridiculously long names that people have to drown before they change them.
Getting off my soapbox now. I'm not calling for this book to be canceled, but I think you can do a lot better if you want either a rhyming book or a Chinese story.
In other words, this book is a totally inaccurate origin story, and unnecessarily so, as surely this information about Chinese names was available when it was written. I found a copy in the library discard bin when I was around six, and astonishingly, my Chinese mother was willing to read it to me (though she assured me it was rubbish).
Tikki Tikki Tembo came up in a conversation with my partner about things we liked as kids that we now find offensive. After 30 years of not thinking about this book, I was surprised to find that I still remembered the full Tikki Tikki Tembo (-no Sa Rembo-chari Bari Ruchi-pip Peri Pembo) name in its weirdly compelling trochaic meter. So - as far as earworms go, I will concede this book is a winner.
But it's also very much a product of its times (1960s) in which it was okay to appropriate a real culture, tell a fake story about it, and even win accolades for doing so. How many American kids thought this represented something about Chinese culture? The first question on Google about this book is, "What does Tikki Tikki Tembo mean in Chinese?" And of course, the answer is absolutely eff all. It could as easily have been set in a made up land, but no, let's imagine that the people who came up with clever things like gunpowder, paper, and noodles (!!) are so stupidly attached to ridiculously long names that people have to drown before they change them.
Getting off my soapbox now. I'm not calling for this book to be canceled, but I think you can do a lot better if you want either a rhyming book or a Chinese story.
September 23, 2020
I'll spare you talk of the problematic aspects of this book (there are plenty of discussions about them online, if you're interested). I picked this book up because I have such fond memories of it from my childhood.
The story is amusingly horrifying in spots, with the adults' indifference to the children's plight spelled out for all to see. The idiot kids obviously don't learn their lesson about playing near wells after Chang falls in. When it's Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo's turn to take the plunge, you can't help but think that Child Protective Services might need to get involved with this oblivious single mother and her unruly offspring. The moral of the story turns out to be not "don't play around dangerous wells" but "don't give your kids long names just in case they fall into wells". It's rather absurd, no matter how you look at it.
I can't help but feel that this one is a little dated, though. Cultural appropriation rears its ugly head.
Stereotypes abound. But what do you expect from a book published in 1968?
A year ago, I read another book based on the same old Japanese folktale. Pacho Nacho by Silvia López is an updated version that takes place in Mexico, that uses real Spanish nicknames to create the great moniker, and doesn't make any claims about naming tradition origins. If you're looking for something with the same silly starting point, Pacho Nacho is a much better choice for modern audiences.
The story is amusingly horrifying in spots, with the adults' indifference to the children's plight spelled out for all to see. The idiot kids obviously don't learn their lesson about playing near wells after Chang falls in. When it's Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo's turn to take the plunge, you can't help but think that Child Protective Services might need to get involved with this oblivious single mother and her unruly offspring. The moral of the story turns out to be not "don't play around dangerous wells" but "don't give your kids long names just in case they fall into wells". It's rather absurd, no matter how you look at it.
I can't help but feel that this one is a little dated, though. Cultural appropriation rears its ugly head.
Stereotypes abound. But what do you expect from a book published in 1968?
A year ago, I read another book based on the same old Japanese folktale. Pacho Nacho by Silvia López is an updated version that takes place in Mexico, that uses real Spanish nicknames to create the great moniker, and doesn't make any claims about naming tradition origins. If you're looking for something with the same silly starting point, Pacho Nacho is a much better choice for modern audiences.
February 28, 2010
I loved this book when I was a kid and have really enjoyed reading it to my son. He loves trying to say the whole name-lots of fun.
October 27, 2016
Wow! Remember this book from my childhood...brings back lots of good memories.
August 2, 2023
Bruh….it’s 2023 get this shit off the shelves
March 23, 2014
I have very mixed feelings on this book.
I have very fond memories of this book from when I was a child. Our librarian at school used to read the story of brothers where Tiki's long name almost loses him his life after he is stuck in a well. It is supposed to be a traditional story about how Chinese names came to be so short. I loved this story as a kid.
However, the truth is, as an adult I recognize it sounds a lot more Japanese than Chinese. Also the pictures are a lot more Japanese than Chinese. It isn't very accurate even though it is a lovely story. It is loosely traditional lore.
When I think of how to bring it into a classroom, sadly I can't see it being done like when I was a child. I do not want a first grader thinking it is authentic Chinese folklore. I would rather see it brought in upper elementary to see if children can find the discrepancies that lead a critical reader into realizing all isn't as it seems.
I was very disappointed in this book as an adult when thirty years after being read it I could fondly quote the long name.
I have very fond memories of this book from when I was a child. Our librarian at school used to read the story of brothers where Tiki's long name almost loses him his life after he is stuck in a well. It is supposed to be a traditional story about how Chinese names came to be so short. I loved this story as a kid.
However, the truth is, as an adult I recognize it sounds a lot more Japanese than Chinese. Also the pictures are a lot more Japanese than Chinese. It isn't very accurate even though it is a lovely story. It is loosely traditional lore.
When I think of how to bring it into a classroom, sadly I can't see it being done like when I was a child. I do not want a first grader thinking it is authentic Chinese folklore. I would rather see it brought in upper elementary to see if children can find the discrepancies that lead a critical reader into realizing all isn't as it seems.
I was very disappointed in this book as an adult when thirty years after being read it I could fondly quote the long name.
March 2, 2016
Bleah.
Even though I liked it as a child, the racism (I am a first generation American and was tuned in to such things even when young) bothered me.
Now it turns out that not only is it not really cute to poke fun at little Chinese customs, they didn't even have that custom and the names don't mean what the author says they did and the costumes are wrong. (I had my doubts that the title one meant "most wonderful..." even when I was young enough to be read to.
Also there is that little annoyance that you don't have to use the whole name, you can just use a shortened version of the name, as in the shortened version of the name IS THE TITLE OF THE WHOLE (*&^&) BOOK. A point which was not lost on me at age 6.
I never read this to my child. The neglect. (You know there's a well, one of 'em already fell in, get a clue.) The abuse (THIS son is great, THIS son is not) the useless mother (go buy a ladder, for pete's sake). ... there's really nothing to like in this except chanting the nonsense name.
Even though I liked it as a child, the racism (I am a first generation American and was tuned in to such things even when young) bothered me.
Now it turns out that not only is it not really cute to poke fun at little Chinese customs, they didn't even have that custom and the names don't mean what the author says they did and the costumes are wrong. (I had my doubts that the title one meant "most wonderful..." even when I was young enough to be read to.
Also there is that little annoyance that you don't have to use the whole name, you can just use a shortened version of the name, as in the shortened version of the name IS THE TITLE OF THE WHOLE (*&^&) BOOK. A point which was not lost on me at age 6.
I never read this to my child. The neglect. (You know there's a well, one of 'em already fell in, get a clue.) The abuse (THIS son is great, THIS son is not) the useless mother (go buy a ladder, for pete's sake). ... there's really nothing to like in this except chanting the nonsense name.
April 3, 2011
I first heard this read in the library at our elementary school. Then I heard the recorded version and I loved it. I remember going home and telling my mom the whole story. That year in school I checked it out over and over and over again, until the librarian made me pick a different book. I recently found this in a box and it made my heart happy.
December 14, 2011
Racist garbage pretending to be folklore. Ugh.
September 12, 2011
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
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
September 7, 2017
I'll start with the good:
Tikki Tikki Tembo is a lovely, amusing, engagingly repetitive, rhythmic story with detailed, oddly charming illustrations:
I'm not a child anymore, but I just LOVE repeating the name of the main character: Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo. Haha!
Also, for some reason it amused me to no end when the Old Man With the Ladder unceremoniously performed CPR on Tikki tikki tembo's younger brother Chang:
HOWEVER, the plain truth is that Tikki Tikki Tembo is shamelessly racist, as pointed out by numerous other reviewers on Goodreads who clearly are more familiar with East Asian languages and cultures than I am.
Tikki Tikki Tembo is promoted as a "re-creation of an ancient Chinese folktale" but it kind of mocks the Chinese language and culture and depicts them as exotic others rather than accurately represents or celebrates them.
First of all, contrary to what Arlene Mosel tells us, Chang doesn't really mean "little or nothing," and Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo doesn't really mean "the most wonderful thing in the whole wide world." In fact, Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo doesn't really mean anything and it kind of serves to mock the Chinese language, even though it actually sounds more Japanese than Chinese.
What is more, the illustrations are also inaccurate: the characters are supposed to be Chinese but some of them are wearing Japanese traditional clothes.
Too bad, because I really liked the story...
Tikki Tikki Tembo is a lovely, amusing, engagingly repetitive, rhythmic story with detailed, oddly charming illustrations:
I'm not a child anymore, but I just LOVE repeating the name of the main character: Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo. Haha!
Also, for some reason it amused me to no end when the Old Man With the Ladder unceremoniously performed CPR on Tikki tikki tembo's younger brother Chang:
He pumped the water out of him and pushed the air into him, and pumped the water out of him and pushed the air into him, and soon Chang was just as good as ever!
HOWEVER, the plain truth is that Tikki Tikki Tembo is shamelessly racist, as pointed out by numerous other reviewers on Goodreads who clearly are more familiar with East Asian languages and cultures than I am.
Tikki Tikki Tembo is promoted as a "re-creation of an ancient Chinese folktale" but it kind of mocks the Chinese language and culture and depicts them as exotic others rather than accurately represents or celebrates them.
First of all, contrary to what Arlene Mosel tells us, Chang doesn't really mean "little or nothing," and Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo doesn't really mean "the most wonderful thing in the whole wide world." In fact, Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo doesn't really mean anything and it kind of serves to mock the Chinese language, even though it actually sounds more Japanese than Chinese.
What is more, the illustrations are also inaccurate: the characters are supposed to be Chinese but some of them are wearing Japanese traditional clothes.
Too bad, because I really liked the story...
April 24, 2012
This book is a great Chinese folktale. I loved the story line. This is also a good book to review alliteration. The illustrations are so detailed and really showed the Chinese culture as far as clothes, the houses, and the festivals. This is a fun book to get your children to join in saying Tikki, Tikki, Tembo's full name. I will add this to my list of must reads especially when we celebrate Chinese new year in my class.
Extension Activity: After reading this book I will retell this folktale with puppets. While I retell it, I will allow the children to say Tiki Tiki Tembo's name when it comes time. The children will most likely memorize the name by the end of the puppet show.
Extension Activity: After reading this book I will retell this folktale with puppets. While I retell it, I will allow the children to say Tiki Tiki Tembo's name when it comes time. The children will most likely memorize the name by the end of the puppet show.
June 25, 2013
We really enjoyed this one as a family. My 5 yr old remembered when we were studying China and loved the pictures, especially of the one with the dragon. It was a little wordy to be less than a level 3, but as I read it, even the preschoolers seemed fascinated. It was probably the repetition of Tikki Tikki Tembo's name over and over again. I stumbled over it more than once, but it has a wonderful rhythm to it. (It'd be great for a drinking game - not with children of course.) :)
Overall, a nice cultural learning book that kept us all interested.
Overall, a nice cultural learning book that kept us all interested.
April 14, 2013
I remember loving this book as a child and now my boys love it, too. We've had it from the library for 3 days, and it's been read no less than a dozen times. We love everything about it: the intricate artwork, the brother relationship, the pace of the language, the super long name.
I wish only that it was an accurate portrayal of a Chinese folktale. A little internet research has quickly revealed that it isn't so.
I wish only that it was an accurate portrayal of a Chinese folktale. A little internet research has quickly revealed that it isn't so.
July 31, 2017
Clever and funny myth book concerning birth order and the benefit of short names. So it's not really a Chinese legend or using Chinese names. And it almost certainly adds to misconceptions. It's still a cute story with nice art.
May 14, 2009
Not a real chinese folktale but still a fun book to read. Gotta love trying to say the entire name...Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo.
November 18, 2012
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.
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.
no_thanks
April 11, 2021I'm just gonna say it: this is not Chinese.
No, I haven't read it, and I won't be.
Please read up on it before you share it with young children... this is the kind of stuff that leads Americans to have no sense of the difference between Japanese, Chinese, Korean and any other "weird Asian place where the words are a bunch of funny sounds and the people all look the same haha."
Maybe you think that doesn't matter so much for young ages... but skim the reviews to see how many grown-ups think this is a legit retelling of an actual Chinese tale. People don't know, because this book told them it's real and nothing else told them it wasn't. I get it. Let's just do better for the next gen, hey?
No, I haven't read it, and I won't be.
Please read up on it before you share it with young children... this is the kind of stuff that leads Americans to have no sense of the difference between Japanese, Chinese, Korean and any other "weird Asian place where the words are a bunch of funny sounds and the people all look the same haha."
Maybe you think that doesn't matter so much for young ages... but skim the reviews to see how many grown-ups think this is a legit retelling of an actual Chinese tale. People don't know, because this book told them it's real and nothing else told them it wasn't. I get it. Let's just do better for the next gen, hey?
August 10, 2017
The kids loved memorizing the boys name. This was a favorite of Jacob's. Will need to pull this one out again :)..krb 2/23/16
Ellie read for naptime..krb 3/17/16
Jacob read for his November Pizza Hut reading challenge..krb 11/2/16 At age 10 he now rates this 3 stars.
Pulled this little gem of a book out again and it brought back such wonderful memories of the kids memorizing the little boys name and then saying it over and over and over and over all day..krb 8/10/17
Ellie read for naptime..krb 3/17/16
Jacob read for his November Pizza Hut reading challenge..krb 11/2/16 At age 10 he now rates this 3 stars.
Pulled this little gem of a book out again and it brought back such wonderful memories of the kids memorizing the little boys name and then saying it over and over and over and over all day..krb 8/10/17
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