Remember Me: Tomah Joseph's Gift to Franklin Roosevelt [Hardcover]

Donald Soctomah (Author), Jean Flahive (Author), Mary Beth Owens (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 21, 2009 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the man who would become the thirty-second president of the United States, joyfuly spent his boyhood summers on Campobello Island. IThere that he met Tomah Joseph, a Passamaquoddy elder and former chief who made his living as a guide, birchbark canoe builder, and basketmaker. Authors Soctomah and Flahive imagine the relationship that developed between these two as Tomah Joseph taught young Franklin how to canoe and shared some of the stories and culture of his people. A beautifully decorated birchbark canoe that he made for Franklin remains at Campobello Island, a tangible reminder of this special friendship.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2–5—Inspired by a hand-carved canoe at the Roosevelt Campobello International Park, the authors tell the story of its maker and his relationship with the future president. Tomah Joseph, a Passamaquoddy elder and former tribal chief, was a guide and mentor to young Franklin, whose family summered on Campobello Island in New Brunswick, Canada. Through the years, the elder imparts his knowledge to the eager boy about the "old way of living," including birchbark-canoe making, sweetgrass gathering, and basket weaving. Tomah Joseph often inscribed his artistic work with the phrase Mikwid hamin (remember me) and ultimately presented a canoe to Roosevelt as a gift. While rife with Native American cultural history and tradition, the fictional recounting of events is heavy-handed and wordy, making the narrative and dialogue seem forced. The soft watercolor illustrations adequately capture the island atmosphere but (with the exception of a rollicking canoe scene) lack action as repeated pages depict Tomah Joseph and Franklin in thoughtful conversation. Quiet and well-intended, this book could potentially be used as a supplement to a classroom unit on Native culture, biography, and perhaps local history. As a picture-book story, it's not particularly memorable.—Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library
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About the Author

Donald Soctomah is a member of the Passamaquoddy tribe, serves as his tribe's representative in the state legislature, and is a tribal historian. He has written seven books about Passamaquoddy history and culture and co-authored a tri-lingual children's book, Tihtiyas and Jean, 2005 winner of the iParenting Media Award in Canada, with Nathalie Gagnon. Donald lives with his family at Indian Township near Peter Dana Point, where Tomah Joseph spent most of his life.

Jean Flahive left work in higher education to pursue her interests in economic development and writing. For past several years she has worked as a consultant for the Passamaquoddy Tribe, rural communities, and nonprofit organizations throughout Maine. She is the author if Billy Boy: The Sunday Soldier of the 17th Maine. She lives in Falmouth, Maine.

Mary Beth Owens has illustrated many beautiful children's books, including Rosebud and Red Flannel, A Penny for a Hundred, Be Blessed: A Celebration of Seasons, The Gazebo, The Story of Sea Glass, Panda Whispers, and The Dump Man's Treasures. She lives in Walpole, Maine.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Tilbury House Publishers (May 21, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0884483002
• ISBN-13: 978-0884483007
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,087,794 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine educational resource and a beautiful gift for any student of Native American cultures, February 23, 2010

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Remember Me: Tomah Joseph's Gift to Franklin Roosevelt (Hardcover)

"Remember Me: Tomah Joseph's Gift To Franklin Roosevelt" is a beautiful thumbnail biography of Passamaquoddy chief Tomah Joseph (1837-1914) focused on his relationship with Franklin Delano Roosevelt, whom he taught many things from how to paddle a canoe to how to listen to the sounds of nature and discover the message of a spirit helper. Tomah Joseph spent summers on Campobello Island near where young Franklin and his family had their vacation cottage. The friendship that unfolded between the Passamaquoddy chief and guide and the boy who would be president of the United States was very special. Tomah Joseph taught young Roosevelt many things about Passamaquoddy history, lore, arts, and culture. A beautiful birchbark canoe that he made especially for Franklin is still on display at the Visitor Center at Roosevelt Campobello International Park. Because Tomah Joseph's spirit helper was the owl, ko-ko-gus, he carefully inscribed one on the side of the canoe. Tomah Joseph was known for his fine artistic work with birchbark, and he often inscribed the words Mikwid hamin (always remember me) on the etched scenes of his birchbark artworks. "Remember Me" is a stunning book with lovely illustrations of beautiful scenes where Tomah Joseph and Franklin Roosevelt walked and canoed. Winner of the Moonbeam Children's Book Award, "Remember Me" is a fine educational resource and a beautiful gift for any student of Native American cultures, especially suitable for grades 3-6.

5.0 out of 5 stars Children at Heart and History Lovers will Treasure this Story, September 18, 2009

By 

Juliana L'Heureux "juliewriter" (Topsham Maine USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Remember Me: Tomah Joseph's Gift to Franklin Roosevelt (Hardcover)

I am surprised to see the age designation for "Remember Me" listed as from 4 to 8 years of age. In fact, I recommend this lovely book for everyone who appreciates extraordinary illustrations with a nature theme, plus likes to read US Presidential history, regardless of age. This story is long overdue in America's lexicon of Presidential story telling. Young Franklin's relationship with Passamoquoddy chief Tomah Joseph is as memorable as the story of Abraham Lincoln walking miles to give the correct change to a store customer he assisted. Of course, we know Tomah Joseph really knew young Roosevelt, because photographs exist to prove it. We aren't completely sure if Honest Abe walked miles to return a cent change - even though, his image is on the US penny currency as a result. I sincerely hope "Remember Me" will become a history classic because the artistic quality of the book published by Tilbury Press, the illustrations by Mary Beth Owens and the oral tradition preserved by the Passamaquoddy historian Donald Soctomah, creates an artistic teaching opportunity about intercultural friendship.