![]() In 1997, The New York Times named it one of the best 50 children's books of the previous 50 years. for reading aloud." - Kirkus ReviewsĪrlene Mosel (1921-1996)'s debut children's book, Tikki Tikki Tembo, was an American Library Association Notable Book and won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. Bright, active, and delightfully expressive." - School Library Journal "On spacious, uncluttered pages the artist has extended the story with wonderfully droll ink-and-wash drawings that combine imaginative beauty with a true Chinese spirit." - The Horn Book "Just right for storytelling and tongue-twisting repeating, and. This old folktale of what happens when the boy falls into a well and his younger brother attempts to get help is nicely retold and should make excellent read-aloud material. As the firstborn's, his name must be spoken completely and reverently. "Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo is the full name of the firstborn son in the Chinese family of this story. Tikki Tikki Tembo is the winner of the 1968 Boston Globe - Horn Book Award for Picture Books. 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-no sa rembo-Ĭhari 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. The Spanish language edition of one of the world's most beloved picture books, Tikki Tikki Tembo. As a parent, I always loved reading this book aloud to my kids (especially as Chang, out of breath and trying to say his brother’s name) and I’m glad to know more of its history now.Īnd what did we learn? What I take away from this book is that moderation is almost always preferable to excess.About the Book Tikki Tikki Tembo is the 1968 winner of the Boston Globe - Horn Book Award for Picture Books. As a child, I loved the artwork, particularly the swirly wisps of the old man’s dream. The illustrations are pretty exclusively done in shades of blue, yellow, green and gray. (Google ‘Jugemu’ to check it out.) Despite its popularity and critical acclaim, the book has come under fire for supporting Asian stereotypes.īlair Lent’s artwork seems to be a bit of an homage to the story’s Japanese heritage, as there are definitely some Japanese elements apparent in the illustrations, such as the boys’ mother wearing what appears to be a kimono. The Japanese version of the name is more than three times as long as the full name in this story. Mosel here actually has its roots in Japan, where it was a traditional rakugo (spoken entertainment) story. This classic story from author Arlene Mosel has been around since I was a little girl and in a brief poll around my office, I was not surprised to learn that many of my co-workers still remember the full version of the main character’s name. ![]() ![]() That frog looks happy to have some company. Ever since this, Chinese families have given their children short and easily pronounced names. His mother has him go to get the old man, but he has difficulty saying his brother’s name and by the time the old man gets there to rescue him, the older boy has been in the well a long time and needs a longer recovery. Chang runs to tell his mother, but has to repeat the name a few times, which makes him short of breath. But then one day, they play near it and Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo falls in. The old man comes and rescues him and for a long while, the boys avoid the well. His mother tells him to go get the Old Man With the Ladder and he does so. One day, Chang falls into the well and the oldest son runs to tell his mother that Chang has fallen in. Every day the two boys play near the well while their mother is washing clothes. The first is named Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo and the second is named Chang. The plot in a nutshell: A boy’s long name causes him some trouble. But second sons were given hardly any names at all. Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, it was the custom of all the fathers and mothers in China to give their first and honored sons great long names. Written by Arlene Mosel, Illustrated by Blair Lent Henry Holt and Company, 1968
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |