![]() I do think the use of the word "unintentional" is important. The message about Chinese names is less than flattering." The text and illustrations, however, are inaccurate depictions of any Chinese. A book that is often recommended (see Huck, Hepler, & Hickman, 1987) is Tikki Tikki Tembo (Mosel, 1968). "Teachers who want to share other cultures may unintentionally choose books that are racist or not representative of a particular group. The Multiculturalist, a publication by Northern Illinois University, warns that, contrary to common misconception, not all children's books about other cultures are authentic.( mct/newsletter/2009-2010/vol3_ num1.pdf) On page 4, the article states: 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." ( Tembo-Arlene-Mosel/dp/ 0312367481/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8& qid=1332508100&sr=8-1) ![]() "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. She looked me in the eye and said, "It's racist." I had never heard those words before, so I asked her, "What does that mean?" The quiet seriousness of her response struck me. A Chinese-American friend was talking about the way other kids chanted "Tikki Tikki Tembo" around her. My first encounter with Tikki Tikki Tembo occurred around middle school. And to tell you the truth, I felt uneasy. "In music class, at school," she replied. When I overheard my half-Chinese/half-Caucasian 6-year-old daughter singing the name a couple months ago, I had to ask her where she learned it. org/product.cfm?product_id= 26879&StepNum=1&award=aw)
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