Tikki Tikki Tembo

Book Title: Tikki Tikki Tembo

Author(s): Arlene Mossel

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Blair Lent

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Copyright Date: 1968

Genre: Fictional picture book

Brief Annotation: The book opens with a mother and her two sons a long, long time ago in China. Keeping with tradition, the eldest son was given a great long name that carried honor and prestige, while the second son was simply called Chang. One day Chang falls into the well and the eldest son runs throughout the village to get someone to save his brother. A few months later it’s the eldest brother’s turn to fall into the well and, due to his brother’s lengthy name, the younger brother can barely tell what has happened in time for the villagers in time to save him. They both survive and the moral of the story is that the Chinese have always believed in keeping names short and simple since this near-disaster.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: (1) This book had a very minimal storyline and was not engaging to read at all. I can’t imagine trying to read this in class, as the lesson at the end seems very un-relatable for most children.

Readers who will like this book: Readers who may enjoy this book are those interested in stories similar to ‘how the zebra got his stripes,’ or ‘why the rooster always crows in the morning.’ This text has hand-sketched illustrations, which young illustrators may like to see.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Before reading this book I would ask them what they knew about families and customs in China. I would show them the picture on the front of the book where the boys play by the well and ask what they think might happen.