Thanks to the Animals [Hardcover]

Allen Sockabasin (Author), Rebekah Raye (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2005

Little Zoo Sap and his family are moving from their summer home on the coast to the deep woods for the winter, traveling on a big bobsled pulled by big horses. When Zoo Sap falls off of the sled unnoticed, the forest animals hear his cries and come to shelter him—everyone from the tiny mouse to the giant moose to the great bald eagle—keeping him warm and safe until his father comes back to find him.

Allen Sockabasin is a Passamaquoddy who devotes much of his time to teaching and preserving the Passamaquoddy language. A master musician, he has written, performed, and recorded Passamaquoddy stories and songs. He has been a tribal governor, a member of the tribal council, and director of child welfare for his tribe, and a health educator. He is the father of five grown children and a young son named Zoo Sap.

Rebekah Raye is an artist beloved for her bird and animal paintings and sculpture, derived from her affinity with the natural world around her at her studio in East Blue Hill, Maine. She has been interested in animals and art since she was a child in Eastern Tennessee, and now in addition to creating her own works of art, teaches workshops for children and adults.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2–As the cold weather sets in, Joo Tum and his family dismantle their log house, load their bobsled, and prepare to move north to their winter home in the deep woods. Squirrels, birds, and rabbits look on benevolently. When all is ready, the family nestles into a heap of sealskin coats and blankets, and they set off. While the other children sleep, baby Zoo Sap falls off the sled and is left behind. His frantic cries soon alert the animals of the forest, who gather around him in a warm, loving nest of fur and feathers. Before long, Joo Tum notices that the baby is missing, and walks all night to retrieve his son. Sockabasin weaves a powerful story of paternal love while simultaneously expressing the mutual respect between his Passamaquoddy culture and the natural world. His spare, straightforward prose calls to mind the gentle rhythm of a well-worn family bedtime story. Raye's luminous watercolor-and-ink paintings evoke the wintry majesty of rural Maine. Facial expressions are captured with warmth and subtlety as the family members experience excitement, fear, relief, and joy. In addition to being a lovely story, Thanks to the Animals gives a fascinating glimpse into a culture not often seen in picture books. An author's note provides further information about the Passamaquoddy tribe, including the names for the animals introduced in the book.–Rachael Vilmar, Atlanta Fulton Public Library, GA
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Review

"... quiet, gentle tale...enhanced by the warm water-color-and-ink paintings...a perfect bedtime story." -- Multicultural Review, Summer 2006

"...Passamaquoddy storyteller...charming children's story...tale of separation, unselfish care, and reunion." -- Central Maine Newspapers, October 30, 2005

"...beautiful tale...exquisite illustrations..animal drawings are quite detailed...perfectly depict the characteristics of each creature." -- Library Media Connection, February 2006

"...beautiful, simple story of survival and the kindness and concern of all creatures...to the very young and helpless." -- Puget Sound Council for Reviewing Children's Media, February 2006

"...sweet story...watercolor illustrations...beautiful foil to the text...end of book lists names of each animal in Passamaquoddy." -- Bangor Daily News, July 25, 2005

"...sweet tale...illustrations are cute...can read it to your child at bedtime...It will be a favorite." -- New Pages, Children and Young Adult Book Reviews, May 20, 2006

"Beautifully illustrated and, with brevity, expressing love of family and the natural world...Mesmerizing as folklore encompassed in present..." -- Maine Sunday Telegram, February 26 2006

"We recommend...charming story...accompanied by luxuriant watercolor pictures." -- Portland Magazine, December 2005

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Tilbury House Publishers (June 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0884482707
• ISBN-13: 978-0884482703
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 9.3 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 (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #817,391 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Traditional Indian Story to Intrigue Your Child, September 28, 2005

By 

Virginia Allain "(retired librarian)" (Poinciana, FL) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Thanks to the Animals (Hardcover)

The story involves an infant falling off a sled as his Indian family migrates for the winter. Left behind, the boy is kept warm by the animals who come out of the forest one by one.

The author is quoted in the Maine Sunday Telegram, "I have a great interest in our language and in passing down the stories of our people." He learned the story from his mother. In the back of the book, all 23 of the animals are named in Passamaquoddy.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Truly Wonderful Book, March 30, 2006

By 

Melissa Tenney - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thanks to the Animals (Hardcover)

Not long ago, Allen Sockabasin came to our school and spent the day with the children. He read the book in Passamaquoddy and English and shared stories of his life and culture with the children. He is a wonderful speaker and a great soul. Every child, from Kindergarten to Grade 8, was enthralled with Allen and with the book. What a truly beautiful story. I highly recommend this book to young and old alike. If you have the opportunity to have Allen visit, jump on it. It was a wonderful experience and most definitely buy this book.

Melissa Tenney

Columbia Falls Elementary School

Columbia Falls, Maine

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inter Species Relationships, January 3, 2011

By 

Lindsay N. Bowker "We Are The Angels We Have ... (Stonington, Maine) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thanks to the Animals (Hardcover)

My headstart friends love this book and it's wonderful illustrations by maine artist Rebekah Raye. Lends itself to acting out the story with dolls and stuffed animals as it is told. It's a magical tale of all the animals in the forest cooperating with each other to safe guard the little lost baby. Children readily accept and understand that and take in their stride the father's conversation with the animals as he expresses his thanks to each and every one. Also, an engaging way to introduce children to the history and values of native american peoples. Buy one for your local headstart and for your local children's librray as well as for all the little one's in your life.