Tikki Tikki Tembo

Tikki Tikki TemboRetold by: Arlene Mosel
Illustrated by: Blair Lent

Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo is the extremely long of name of the oldest of two Chinese brothers.  While the younger brother bears a name so short it is barely a syllable, it is this name that plays a part in saving his life.  This retelling is beautifully told and illustrated and is incredibly fun to read aloud!

Discussion/Project Ideas:

1.  Many cultures place importance on a child’s name besides whether they just like the name or not.  What does your name mean and what is its origin.  Can you research and trace the story behind the names of each person that lives in your house?

2.  These brothers made the same mistake twice.  Have you ever done that?  Did you learn your lesson the second time?  If so, what made you realize the importance of of not doing “that” again?  Tell the story.

3.  The artistic style in this story has a very distinctive feel and incorporates each of the common areas in the village where the story takes place: tree with the old man and the ladder, festival, well, laundry at the river.  Look at the first double page spread of the mountain town.  Try to draw your hometown on a similar mountain structure and include everything about your community that makes it unique or special to you.

Leave a Reply