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Tikki Tikki Tembo

Audiobook
2 of 2 copies available
2 of 2 copies available

This humorous retelling of a favorite folktale recounts how the Chinese came to give their children short names. This perfect read-aloud storybook is one adults and children will enjoy sharing together again and again.When the eldest son fell in the well and most of the time getting help was spent pronouncing the name of the one in trouble, the Chinese, according to legend, decided to give all their children short names.
Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo is the name of a mother's first, and most honored, son. It means, "the most wonderful thing in the whole wide world!"

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  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Marcia Gay Harden's reading will remind the parents of young listeners why Arlene Mosel's book has entertained since 1968. The engaging, instructive tale explains why the Chinese give their children short names. When the honored older son of a Chinese mother falls into the well, his younger brother, Chang, runs for help. But the older brother almost drowns because Chang has a hard time repeating his name: Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo. The Asian music (complete with a gong to note page changes) and sounds of splashes create an almost-visual ambiance. In the forefront are Marcia Gay Harden's spot-on characterizations and her wonderful playfulness with the drama of Tikki's ever-so-long name. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      September 1, 1989
      In this folktale, help is slow in coming when a Chinese boy falls into a well, since the boy's long and difficult name must be pronounced in full. Beautifully expressive drawings enhance the book's Oriental feel. Ages 4-7.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Chang or Tikki Tikki Tembo-No Sa Rembo-Chari Bari Ruchi-Pip Peri Pembo--which name would you want to articulate if you needed to report a terrible accident? In Arlene Mosel's beloved retelling, two Chinese brothers find their mother's warning to stay away from the well difficult to heed and suffer the ignominious fate of falling into its depths. Each brother, in turn, finds a way to warn his mother and rouse the old man with the ladder. Dion Graham narrates with firmness and a reverence for the esteemed elder characters. His pace is deliberate and plays to the listener's anticipation. Graham takes delight in the repetitive phrases: "my first and honored son, heir of all I possess," the "step over step" of the old man, to say nothing of Tikki Tikki Tembo's multi-syllabic name. Acquaint or reacquaint yourself with this satisfying tale. A.R. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine
    • School Library Journal

      November 1, 2009
      PreS-Gr 3-In this classic Chinese folktale, retold by Arlene Mosel and illustrated by Blair Lent (Holt, 1968), Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruche-pip peri pembo and younger brother Chang are playing near a well and Chang falls in. The older boy goes for help and Chang is rescued. Months later, the older brother falls in, but when Chang runs to get help, his brother's very long name requires too much breath and Chang can't get his mother to understand. In the end, Tikki tikki tembo is rescued. "And from that day to this, the Chinese have always thought it wise to give all their children little, short names." Marcia Gay Harden provides wonderful narration, giving each character a distinctive voice. A few sound effects add to the telling. Have the book available so that listeners can peruse Blair Lent's lovely line and wash illustrations. A great addition for listening centers."Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings School, Hoover, AL"

      Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • ATOS Level:4.2
  • Lexile® Measure:910
  • Interest Level:K-3(LG)
  • Text Difficulty:4-5

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