Tikki Tikki Tembo
by Arlene Mosel
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Book Reviews of Tikki Tikki Tembo
Book Review: From a mother to her son
Summary: 4 Stars
I remembered this being one of my favorite books to read as a child, and now my 21 month-old son always asks me to read it to him!! Reading it as adult, and as a parent, I was a little bothered by the second son, Chang's, name meaning "little or nothing" because I would never want ANY of my children to be referred to as "little or nothing". I don't know anything about Chinese culture or whether or not any of the traditions are even accurate, but when it comes down to it, it's just a book. Take it for what it is...a story, and try not to read too deeply into it, and this book is really enjoyable...especially when you get to say "Tikki Tikki Tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo".Book Review: Tikki Tikki Tembo
Summary: 5 Stars
My 2 1/2 year old grandson loves this book. My children liked it when they were little, so I thought it would be a hit, and it was. It is perhaps a little disturbing that the mother gives the second born son a name that means "little" or "nothing", but when I read this to him, I skipped over the part that said it meant "nothing". My grandson was much more interested in the boys falling into the well and being rescued, as well as trying to say the long name, and wanting to act out the story in his sandbox. When reading it, I focused on how the brothers helped each other, and on the fun of saying Tikki Tikki Tembo's long name.Book Review: Terrible
Summary: 1 Stars
I cannot believe this book got such high ratings. If I could rate it a "0" I would.
I checked this book out from the library and thankfully looked it over before reading it to my two boys. Why would a childrens story book be about the first born being honored and revered and the second one treated horribly? I just didn't find it appropriate for our family at all. My kids would definitely pick up on this.
Sure the older boys name is cute and fun to say, and I can get over the Asian inaccuracies as others mentioned, but a Mothers favoritism in a child's story isn't appropriate at all.
Book Review: Fun to read with your kids!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a cute book which is really fun to read with your kids because the name of one of the main characters is really long and has to be read with a tempo. My kids LOVE the story and enjoy hearing us rattle through the name over and over. I highly recommend it for fun night-time reading.
As a note, the book has been discussed as poking fun at Chinese names, sending bad messages about birth order and about having nothing to do with Chinese literature, but if you simply read it for an enjoyable time with your kids, you'll find that you'll remember it forever.
Book Review: Propogates stereotypes, incorrect Chinese meanings
Summary: 1 Stars
Yes, tikki tikki tembo, is a catchy phrase, but so are alot of things that are/were not really worthwhile teaching our children. Its 2010, let's teach our kids about other cultures and their stories in an illuminating (and moderately accurate) way. Even if the author had gotten all the Chinese meanings right (they are not even close), you can tell that she is not of Chinese background. Try authors like Karen Chinn, Ernie Chan and HongYing Yang, if you'd like to open your kids eyes to another culture.