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    Tikki Tikki Tembo
    Tikki Tikki Tembo
    Tikki Tikki Tembo
    Ebook24 pages21 minutes

    Tikki Tikki Tembo

    By Arlene Mosel and Blair Lent

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    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.

    Tikki Tikki Tembo is the winner of the 1968 Boston Globe - Horn Book Award for Picture Books.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMacmillan Publishers
    Release dateApr 17, 2007
    ISBN9781466815520
    Author

    Arlene Mosel

    Arlene Mosel (1921-1996) first heard the story of Tikki Tikki Tembo as a child. When she grew up, she shared this wonderful tale with countless children, including her own. Because so many young listeners responded enthusiastically, she decided to write her own retelling, and Tikki Tikki Tembo became her first book for children. The book was named an American Library Association Notable Book and won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. In 1997, The New York Times named it one of the best 50 children's books of the previous 50 years. Mosel was also the author of The Funny Little Woman, which won the 1973 Caldecott Medal for Blair Lent's illustrations and was recognized as an Honor Book by the Hans Christian Andersen International Children's Book Awards. Mosel was an associate professor of library science at Case Western Reserve University. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Mosel died in Indianapolis in 1996.

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    Reviews for Tikki Tikki Tembo

    4/5

    560 ratings53 reviews

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    • 4/5
      A classic that I read as a young child. It's still a great tale with many lessons hidden inside.
    • 4/5
      The Chinese custom of giving very long names is abandoned after a beloved son falls in a well and it takes so long to say his name when asking for help to get him out.
    • 3/5
      Tikki Tikki Tembo is a story of an old Chinese folktale. It was a custom for father and mothers in China to give their first and honored sons a great long name, but seconds sons were given hardly a name at all. A mother lived on a small mountain with her two sons. Her first son was named Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo, which meant "the most wonderful thing in the world, and her second son was named Chang. Chang and Tikki tikki tembo loved playing near the well, but their mother always said to be careful or they could fall in. One day Chang fell in and Tikki tikki tembo ran to his mother to help him. They got the old man with the ladder to get him out and he took no time to recover. Months later, Tikki tikki tembo fell in. Chang ran to his mother to explain what happened, but his brother's name was so long, he could barely get it out. His mother said to go find the old man with the ladder. He found the old man, but he had the same problem, his brother's name was so long that he could barely get it out. They finally got Tikki tikki tembo out of the well, but it took him days to reccover. To this day, the Chinese have thought it wise to give all of their children short names, instead of great long ones. As an activity, each student could write out their own name as if they were Tikki tikki tembo, and for that day, each student would go by their long name.
    • 4/5
      I really liked reading this book. I found it to be a good story of being there for family and of feeling a sense of self. Tikki Tikki Tembo's extremely long name fits him perfectly as we see him be there for his brother to help rescue him. The illustrations in this picture are beautiful and show the readers a little bit into Chinese culture in how the homes and surrounding area look. We also learn about Chinese culture because personally I did not know that it was custom for Chinese parents to give their first born sons extremely long names. I think the author's message was to just be there for family when they need you most.
    • 4/5
      A Chinese folktale about why Chinese people have short names. It is said that the first born son used to have a really long name but when that character in the story falls down a well it takes so long for his younger brother to spit out his name that he almost perishes.
    • 4/5
      Interesting way to present a moral.
    • 4/5
      As politically incorrect as it comes, but it's still a really great, fun story.It's doubtful that this is a "Chinese folktale" as some claim, but it's still cute.
    • 2/5
      I really enjoyed this book as a child, though reading it again and reading several other reviews, it is actually rather racist. The author says it is a retelling of a Chinese folktale, but Tikki Tikki Tembo's exhaustively long name doesn't actually mean anything in Chinese and instead plays off of how funny the Chinese language sounds to Westerners. It is a very cute story, but seeing as the setting is Ancient China yet the language is inaccurate, the setting puts children off and gives them an inaccurate idea of China and its people. Arlene Mosel is an inauthentic author as well, as she is from Ohio and is of no Asian descent. It would be much more beneficial to students to use actual Chinese folktales that celebrate Chinese culture.
    • 4/5
      Short story about why Chinese families give their children short names. A story about two brothers that fall into a well and that need to be saved. Chang, the younger brother, has to run around and try to find people to save his brother with an incredibly long name. His name is so long and Chang has to repeat it so many times that his older brother almost dies in the well. But finally Tikki tikki tembo no sa rembo chari bari ruchi pip bari pembo was saved out of the well. I would read this in my classroom to show my students the use of repetition as humor, or if we were learning about myths from other countries. Genre: myth, folktale, modern fantasy
    • 4/5
      Tikki Tikki Tembo is an ancient Chinese folktale. It is the story of two brothers with very different names. The second son is named Chang, which means "little or nothing." The first and honored son is called Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo, which means "the most wonderful thing in the whole wild world." Even though the boys have been warned by their mother not to play near the well, the boys do not mind their mothers instructions and Chang falls into the well. Tikki tikki tembo runs to his mother's aid where he tells her what had happened. At first the mother doesn't hear him and tells him, "The water roars, 'Little Blossom,' I can not hear you." The first son repeats the condition of the brother and the mother instructs him to go tell the Old Man With The Ladder. The old man rescues Chang from the well and all is well until Tikki tikki tembo falls into the well on another occasion. When Chang goes to tell his mother, she responds again by saying, "The water roars, 'Little One, I cannot hear you." But because Tikki tikki tembo's name is so long the mother is unable to understand her child. After repeating Tikki tikki tembo's name several times his mother is finally able to understand him and tells him to tell the Old Man With The Ladder. Chang runs to the old man and tells him of his brother's condition, but this time the old man doesn't understand the boy and Chang has to repeat himself again. By the time the old man rescues Tikki tikki tembo more time has passed than when Chang had fallen down the well. Because his name was so long and he had been under water for so long it takes him a long time to recover. As the story goes this is the reason the Chinese have thought it wise to give children short names. Tikki Tikki Tembo is a fun folktale for children in grades K-3. It has a simple plot and is told in a direct manner. The language is lively and engaging, especially little Tikki tikki tembo's name, and is in keeping with the oral tradition. The illustrations are not that of typical Asian art and I can see some people being offended by the dramatic slant of the Chinese character's eyes. I found the illustrations to be simple and appealing and added to the funny story.
    • 4/5
      I liked this book because of the interesting aspect mentioned at the ending of the book. Initially, the author mentions how long names were given to the older children because they were honored and highly valued and short names were given to the younger children because they meant "little to nothing." I liked the language used in this book because of the repetitive pattern. At first, Tikki tikki tembo had to save Chang and he quickly did but when Chang had to save Tikki tikki tembo it was more of a struggle. Because of the initial way that the author described how Chang fell in the well made it seem like Tikki tikki tembo would be quickly saved also. I also enjoyed the organization of the story. As previously mentioned, the author made the wording almost identical with different names. This conspicuously implied that Tikki tikki tembo would have a safe rescue nevertheless Chang had difficultly saying his brother's name over and over again. Every time Chang mustered up the breath to say Tikki tikki tembo's full name, I wondered if he would be able to get it out right and essentially receive help. The big message of the story comes at the end when the readers are reminded of the first-born having long names and now realizing that it is more wise to give your children short names.
    • 5/5
      A great book that teaches morals, and how to treat each other with kindness and equality. Story is set in China, a great book to share with anyone/everyone for it shows a perspective other than the common Western perspective.
    • 5/5
      Grade 1-4Traditional literatureTikki Tikki Tembo is an amusing piece of literature that does a good job of depicting the preference for first-born children in China. Since Tikki Tikki Tembo was the first born and favorite son he got the very ong honorable name Tikki Tikki Tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo. The second born son was named a much shorter and less honorable name, Chang. In the story both children fall into a well and are rescued. However, since Chang had such a shorter name it took less time to communicate that he had fallen. When Tikki Tikki Tembo fell into the well it took so long for Chang to tell his mother that Tikki Tikki Tembo almost drowned and took days for him to recover. In the end it turned out that Tikki Tikki Tembo's very long and honorable name almost cost him his life. The story ends by discussing Chinese tradition. On the last page the story says "And from that day to this the Chinese have always thought it wise to give all their children little, short names instead of great longs names." This story was enjoyable and I would recommend it to children of many ages. I especially like how the book created a story of why something came to be; why the Chinese use short names.
    • 5/5
      A great insight into Chinese culture in the form of a folk tale. The illustrations are very stylized and interesting to look at.
    • 3/5
      I think this book stays in print due to the nostalgia factor - that's why I picked it up in the first place. The illustrations are really lovely - beautiful line and wash illustrations with a limited color palette (but not as annoying as most other older limited color palette titles are). The illustrations contain apparently a mishmash of Japanese and Chinese cultural signifiers - uh, oh. The story is ostensibly based on a Chinese folktale, but it teaches incorrectly that the name Chang means "little, or nothing." Also, I don't think Tikki Tikki Tembo etc. etc. is an actual Chinese name, lolol. dChildren today are far better served by more authentic Chinese folktale retellings; this book has its place in the annals of picture book history, however. And saying the name outload is never not fun!
    • 5/5
      A favorite from my childhood. I can still recite, Tikki Tikki Tembo's long name and can recall my sister's enthusiasm as she read this to me often at bedtime. A nice story of relationship between two brothers and the dynamics within a family and a culture. A memorable read.
    • 4/5
      Great for reading to children of all ages. Very fun book with great tongue twisters and helps get children involved. Also helps them learn about a different culture. And also, that though something may look or seem more appealing, a lot of times what is more practical is better.
    • 3/5
      In China the first born son is giving a long elaborate name, but what happens if he fell into a well and needed someone to come quick! A story of a younger sons race to help his brother.
    • 3/5
      I remembered being told this story when I was young. When I see a familiar story for my childhood, I like to pick it up and read it with grown-up eyes. I still giggled. Politeness isn't so important when your brother is drowning.
    • 5/5
      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.
    • 3/5
      Summary:In this classical story retold by Arlene Mosel, a young boy named Tiki tiki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo is given such a long name because the eldest son in Chinese families must have a very long name. Tiki tiki tembo's mother warns him and his little brother Chang not to play near the well, because they could fall in. Not listening to their mother, the boys play by the well, and Chang falls in. Tiki tiki tembo runs to tell his mother what is wrong, and then runs to an old man with a ladder; Chang is saved. The two boys play by the well again, but this time Tiki tiki tembo falls in. Chang runs to tell his mother and then the old man with the ladder, and almost cannot get Tiki tiki tembo's full name out. The ladder arrives just in time, but Tiki tiki tembo is injured. The book then concludes by explaining that this is the reason names are now so short in China.My Personal Reaction:This book was very fun for me to read aloud, and it is hopefully just as fun to listen to. The folktale does imply a few stereotypes about Chinese culture, but it is all in all an enjoyable read. "Tiki Tiki Tembo" would also be a great book to read when discussing obedience towards your elders.Classroom Extension Ideas:1. Could be included in talking about Chinese culture, or cultures around the world. The book also mentions Chinese festivals and could thus be read around January during Chinese New Year.2. Ask students to write about a time they got in trouble, and explain what some of the consequences were. 3. Ask students to define what a folktale is and what some of the aspects that must be included in a folktale are. Then, have the students gather into groups and write their own folktales.4.
    • 5/5
      A classic tale that tells us about a little boy who fell into a well! The boys name is so long that is elongates to rescue process as his full name must be said before he can be rescued. Tikki Tikki Tembo's rhyme is sure to get stuck in your head!
    • 3/5
      I had mixed feelings about this book. It is based in rural China, and is a myth about a boy who almost drowns in a well because his brother cannot pronounce his name to ask for help. I don't think it is a great representation of Chinese culture, but the story is intriguing and the pictures are very unique.
    • 4/5
      This story would definitely be fun to read aloud to a class, and also be fun for new readers! This book would be appropriate from kindergarten to second grade. I like this book because I can absolutely see children laugh and be engaged with this story. It also exposes the Chinese culture and art throughout the story, making it extra engaging. The little Tikki Tikki Tembo-No Sa Rembo-Chari Bari Ruchi-Pip Peri Pembo thought highly of himself for having such a long and prestigious name compared to his brother, Chang. Change fell in the well, and his brother was able to quickly get help from the Old Man with the ladder. However, when Tikki fell into the well, his brother had to take extra time explaining what happened and who needed the Old Man's help. The moral of the story is that sometimes having an important title can get you into trouble!
    • 2/5
      In the Chinese folktale, the first-born son of the family is honored by being given a very long name. His brother, the second son is hardly given any consideration at all. The two misbehave twice and the first incident ends happily, but the following one ends tragically, with the first son nearly drowning because his name was so long that the second son can barely summons help for him. There is no "moral" to this story because the only thing that the Chinese learned from this story is that they should shorten the names of all of their children. The difference in the Chinese culture where one child is overtly favored and the American culture where all children are (hopefully) equally loved is obvious. The story is more interesting as a read-aloud book because of the unusual name and its repetition.When I bought this book, I knew I had heard it read before, probably in elementary school. I was sure that it was a very old story and one that was a "classic" so I thought I would like it. Instead, I found it disturbing. The difference between our cultures has made me think this treatment is unfair, but in China it is completely normal and a part of the way they have lived for generations.As a classroom extension, this book could be read to study the culture of China along with a social studies lesson with the students comparing and contrasting the two. It could be studied as a part of a multi-cultural lesson in almost any subject. A good time to introduce the book might be during the Chinese New Year.
    • 4/5
      I have noticed that with many of these folktales, how the stories can be a bit dark and evil but with a happy ending. The only mention of the original source for this tale is on the jacket sleeve that this is a re-creation of an ancient Chinese folktale. The illustrations are creative, neat, and fun but I believe the illustrations are a bit too exaggerating of Chinese traditions. The illustrations do complement the story very well and help tell the story. The story tells us in ancient times long names were an honor and given to the first sons, while the second sons received short names. The oldest son falls into a water well, due to the length of his name it takes a long time for help to arrive...and from that day on the Chinese have always thought it was wise to give all their children little, short names instead of great long names. The story does represent the culture norms...what is a bit disturbing is how sons are looked at from their parents (first sons more honored and prestigious than the younger sons). I believe this book is fun and has a good story but it bothers me a bit with the value placed on certain sons. Ages 5 years and older.
    • 5/5
      This book is a classic Chinese legend about a young boy who almost drowns in a well because his brother cannot pronounce his very long and difficult name. It is a silly and entertaining read aloud that you can pair with teaching students about how names in other cultures have certain definitions or meanings. Students of all ages will laugh out loud when the teacher says "Tikki Tikki Tembo No Sa Rembo Chari Bari Ruchi Pip Peri Pembo". The main message in the story is to give readers a slight insight into Chinese culture. The illustrations are also beautifully done and express true Chinese art.
    • 5/5
      Great example of a fun folk tale! It shows the culture of China, with the oldest son being the more respected and loved, yet because of his high honor and ridiculously long name, it puts him in a life threatening situation. The story ends with the tale that because of this situation the Chinese made sure to name their children short names to be safer in such circumstances.
    • 4/5
      I really enjoyed reading this book. The main message was to teach the students how people in china came to give their children shorter names. One reason I liked this book was because of the main characters name. When I was in elementary school and my teacher read this to the class, it was a game among the children to see who could memorize "Tikki Tikki Tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo" and say it along with the teacher while she was reading. The second reason I liked this book was because of how the brothers took care of each other. Even though the second brothers name was Chang, which meant "little or nothing", he still ran all over the place trying to save his brother who had fallen in the well. When I first read the book, I was scared that he would leave him in there because Tikki was clearly their mother's favorite son, but his love for his brother prevailed and they ended up saving each other.
    • 4/5
      In my opinion, Tikki Tikki Tembo is a decent book. One reason I enjoyed this book is because of the main characters name. When I was little, my mother would read the story to me and my older brother. I remember struggling to pronounce the long name of the main character “Tikki Tikki Tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo.” The main reason I liked this book was how the author depicted the relationship between the two brothers. The brothers take care of each other even if the younger brother is jealous of his older brother. The younger brother is named Chang, which meant “little nothing.” The book was a helpful tool in teaching kindness to me when I was little. Even though Chang had a shorter name he still found a ladder in order to get Tiki out of the well. The illustrations also add a vivid historical touch, depicting life in rural China. The main message of the story is to show how family is important.

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    Tikki Tikki Tembo - Arlene Mosel

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