Mosel was also the author of The Funny Little Woman, which won the 1973 Caldecott Medal for Blair Lent’s illustrations and was recognized as an Honor Book by the Hans Christian Andersen International Children’s Book Awards. In 1997, The New York Times named it one of the best 50 children’s books of the previous 50 years. The book was named an American Library Association Notable Book and won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. Because so many young listeners responded enthusiastically, she decided to write her own retelling, and Tikki Tikki Tembo became her first book for children. When she grew up, she shared this wonderful tale with countless children, including her own. (Picture book) About the Author:Īrlene Mosel (1921-1996) first heard the story of Tikki tikki tembo as a child. Tikki Tikki Tembo is a perfect book to read aloud, but don't be surprised if you find yourself joining the ranks of its chanting followers. Tikki tikki tembo (which means "the most wonderful thing in the whole wide world") and his brother Chang (which means "little or nothing") get into trouble with a well, are saved by the Old Man with the Ladder, and change history while they're at it. In this beautiful edition-complete with line and wash illustrations by artist Blair Lent-Arlene Mosel retells an old Chinese folktale about how the people of China came to give their children short names after traditionally giving their "first and honored" sons grand, long names.
If you haven't already read Tikki Tikki Tembo, you've probably heard at least someone recite the deliriously long name of its protagonist: Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo, by now a famous refrain in most nursery schools.