Customer Reviews

Remember Me: Tomah Joseph's Gift to Franklin Roosevelt

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"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.

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.