Tikki, Tikki, Tembo
By
Arlene Mosel
MOSEL, Arlene. Tikki Tikki Tembo. Illus. By Blair Lent. Unpaged.
Scholastic Inc. 1968. ISBN 0-590-41622-7.
Gr 1-3----An old Chinese pseudo-folktale (some say actually originated in Japan) about two young brothers and their mother. The first born son was honored with a great long name, Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo. His name meant "the most wonderful thing in the whole wide world." The second born son was called Chang, which meant "little or nothing." The boys gleefully play together while their mother washes clothes in a nearby stream. Ignoring her warning, the boys play by a well and Chang falls in. His brother runs as fast as he can for help, explaining to their mother what had happened. Hardly worried, she sends him to find the Old Man With The Ladder to rescue him. Chang recovered quickly, thanks to the Old Man With The Ladder. Months later, Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo falls into the same well. This time Chang has to explain to their mother and to the Old Man With The Ladder what had happened. Chang struggled to say his brother’s name because he was out of breath and it was so long. This caused him to stay in the well too long and he did not recover quickly. Ever since then the Chinese have named their children little, short names instead of great long names. Blair Lent’s lively illustrations depict the Chinese countryside and arts nicely. This tale however, is not an accurate representation of Asian names. In fact, it reinstates the stereotype that Asian names tend to sound like a string of nonsense syllables. It also sends the message that the first born son is more important than the second son is. Although children will enjoy the fun rhythm of the story, this book can actually be used as a tool to teach about Asian stereotypes which it perpetuates.
By Christy DeLordo