Reviews

Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel

applegnreads's review

5.0

I don't think I ever read this for myself but I have distinct memories of it being read to me.

whitecat5000's review against another edition

adventurous dark fast-paced

2.0

I think this was supposed to be a lighthearted story, but the fact that the author is confusing Japanese and Chinese culture, and the fact that it implies that the children both died in the well and had to be resuscitated, makes me think this is past its prime.

warrenl's review

4.0

Gorgeously illustrated.

surcie's review

4.0

Great childhood memories! Named our cat after Tikki.

lizzieer's review

1.0

The fake chinese is really insensitive and not something we should be teaching our kids as acceptable

annabannana's review

Not culturally sensitive whatsoever. Very disrespectful of the Chinese culture - but written a very long time ago. So I read it to my child and discussed how that was inappropriately done. I think if the author had just used a made up country, that would have been better.

courtneys_shelves's review

2.0

The word play and the opportunity to work with patterns is great!

Also, some kids might relate to the favoritism of the mother.

jwinchell's review

4.0

I remember loving this book as a child and now my boys love it, too. We've had it from the library for 3 days, and it's been read no less than a dozen times. We love everything about it: the intricate artwork, the brother relationship, the pace of the language, the super long name.

I wish only that it was an accurate portrayal of a Chinese folktale. A little internet research has quickly revealed that it isn't so.

mamahan's review

5.0

Fun book to teach kids about customs, other countries, the importance of following instructions, and get them to laugh a bit too.

natiperleggere's review

adventurous tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0