TIKKI TIKKI TEMBO

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 © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2009]