Jean FlahiveCritiques

Franklin Delano Roosevelt - whose presidency is one of the most celebrated in American history - spent his youth summering on Canada's Campobello Island, where his family maintained a vacation home. It was here that he was befriended by Passamaquoddy elder and artist, Tomah Joseph, who was his companion and canoeing instructor, and who, in later years, carved a beautiful birchbark canoe for the young man, inscribed with the phrase Mikwid hamin (remember me). This canoe can still be seen, at the Roosevelt Campobello International Park.

I enjoyed Remember Me - written by Donald Soctomah, the Passamaquoddy Tribe's representative in the Maine State Legislature, and Jean Flahive, a sometime consultant to the Passamaquoddy Tribe - but I couldn't help wishing that we knew more about this story. That Roosevelt and Joseph knew one another, and that Joseph gifted a canoe to Roosevelt, is well documented, but the actual interactions between the two - the lessons in Passamaquoddy history and culture passed on by Joseph - are pure conjecture, something the authors acknowledge in their brief prefatory remarks. Did Roosevelt never comment upon his relationship with Joseph? Is there no written documentation, no record of what they discussed? Reading this lovely picture-book, with its quiet, smooth-flowing narrative, and appealing illustrations, makes me wonder...

This is a beautifully illustrated book about the friendship between two very different people. I think it is very important that the author of the book is Passamaquoddy and the book is thus based on First Nations oral history, because it gives the interpretation of the relationship a validity and truth that an outside author could not have achieved.

I think this book is more suitable for older readers than for the typical age 4-8 picture book audience. It could find a place on anyone's bookshelf with other books about First Nations people or with Presidential biographies.

Remember me is set in Campobello Island New Brunswick where Franklin D. Roosevelt's family had a summer home. Remember me is a fictionalized account of the story of Roosevelt's friendship with Tomah Joseph starting at age 10. Tomah Joseph is a member of the Passamaquoddy tribe who was hired by Roosevelt's father to teach him how to paddle a canoe.

Along the way, Tomah Joseph teaches Roosevelt a lot about the history of the Passamaquoddy Indians and their traditions. There is also a lot of information about Franklin D.Roosevelt's early life.

This is a sensitively written story about a friendship which lasts until Joseph's death when Roosevelt is a young man and tells about how Roosevelt came to acquire his canoe (a gift from Joseph) which is still on display at the Roosevelt's family home. This book would most likely be interesting for children around grade 3 to 5.

This can be a tricky book to read as it treads a line between fiction and biography. While the two subjects, Tomah Joseph and FDR, did know each other and certain exchanges are a matter of historical record, other exchanges (including much of the dialogue) are the result of authorial speculation. This is addressed well in the flyleaf, but not much within the body of the story. The story has some great themes around growing up/aging, respect for cultures, and the contributions of elders/teachers to character growth. The illustrations are also lovely.

The themes of the story make it well worth reading , but any reading should include the flyleafs so that the readers can think for themselves about the dividing lines between history, historical fiction, and the use of history to teach moral lessons. Suggested ages: 7 and up.

Remember Me is about Franklin Roosevelt's childhood at his summer home at Campobello Island. Roosevelt spends most days with Tomah Josheph who used to be chief of the Passamaquoddy tribe. Tomah Joseph teaches Roosevelt how to canoe along with several other Native American traditions. When Franklin grows up, Tomah Joseph gives Roosevelt his canoe and tells him that he will one day he will lead many people. Franklin Roosevelt never sees Tomah Joseph again, and he eventually becomes the president of the United States.

I like this book becuase it is interesting to know what important people in the world were like before they became important. There are a ton of books out there about Roosevelt, but this book was so different than all of the others. This was about his childhood, not his presidency. I think this book would get kids interested in Roosevelt.

This would be a good book to use to learn about Native American culture. The kids could draw canoes with their "spirit animal" on it. Also, this would be a good introduction to a lesson on Franklin Roosevelt. There are some interesting facts in this book about him. Also it would be good to use to help kids relate to someone of that much importance.

I love the illustrations in this book. The story was hard for my children to follow.

I received this book in the early reviewers batch from July. I found it to be a very well written, interesting non-fiction picture book. The illustrations are beautiful. I think older elementary aged children would find this story intriguing while they are learning some history of the Passamaquoddy indians and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

As an early childhood educator, I found the book to be too wordy for me to use as a read aloud story. There are some short passages I may use when we do Native American music though.

Not bad, but not great, and I found the language a little too dense for my nieces (3 and 6), although YMMV, as in all things.

Soctomah, D. & Flahive, J. (2009). Remember Me: Tomah Joseph's Gift to Franklin Roosevelt. Gardiner, ME: Tilbury House, Publishers.

9780884483007

In the vain of Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek, Remember Me shares a story of a ten-year-old Franklin Roosevelt while his family spends the summer on Campobello Island. Franklin goes on a canoe trips with Tomah Joseph, an elder of the Passamaquoddy tribe. The future president learns about nature and the experiences, stories and culture of the tribe.

The story includes a story within a story, a traditional Passamaquoddy tale.

This picturebook includes many colorful and realistic illustrations. In the artwork Franklin appears to be freakishly white and ghostly...but, I'm guessing that's an authentic representation.

The book is on the text-heavy side, but that would still work as a read aloud or a shared reading experience.

While the story has a classic feel and shows a President in a new light, I wasn't too big a fan of putting imagined thoughts into the mind of a person who actually lived. But then, I'm a somewhat-annoying purist like that. Another potential critique is of the general characterization of a minority figure who helps the younger white boy understand the world in a new way, while said minority figure labors on.

Activities:

As students study American history and President Franklin Roosevelt, this book could be used to provide a new insight into the president and the far from ideal relationship the government has had with Native Americans. This book could be used to break down stereotypes many younger students have about Native Americans. More specifically, students could research the Passamaquoddy tribe and the history of Maine.

This book could also be used with children preparing to go on their first canoeing trip to help prepare them for what to expect and how to handle the boat. From there, a teacher could discuss the way pollution has damaged the wildlife in and around ponds, rivers, lakes, and the oceans.

Remember Me may appeal especially to children just learning how to whittle or who have taken an interest in wood work.

Quotes of Note:

"Franklin ran down the hillside and onto the beach, his eyes searching the bay. The wet sand cooled his bare feet as the waves splashed over his toes. He smiled to himself and thought, "Today Tomah Joesephwill teach me how to paddle a canoe."

"Now many Indians make their living as fishing and hunting guides. They help summer visitors like us, who come to Campobello Island."

"Franklin watched the porpoises swim so close he could almost reach out and touch them. Tomah Joseph explained that porpoises are sacred in the Passamaquoddy culture. "They have saved my people from starvation countless times. But we never hunt more than we need."

"Is that what pictures are--stories?" Franklin asked.
Tomah Joseph smiled. "Yes, each picture tells a story of the Old Time."

For more of my reviews, visit sjkessel.blogspot.com.

I found the subject of the book to be interesting centering around Tomah Joseph teaching a young FDR how to paddle and make a canoe. He also shared stories about his Passamaquoddy traditions. However, I thought that the authors tried to squeeze too much into this short picture book. For the length of this book I would have liked a more focused plot line. I didn't feel a sense of flow to the story. The illustrations and text layout were appealing. I do think that it could be used as a resource for students who wish to learn more about the childhood of presidents and how it may have shaped them.

I received this book through Early Reviewers. The story focuses on the relationship between a young Franklin Roosevelt and Tomah Joseph, a Native American of the Passamaquoddy. Spending his summers on Campobello Island, Franklin learned about canoes, wildlife, and spirit helpers from his friend Tomah Joseph. I enjoyed the description of how to build a canoe. The story comes full circle when Franklin as a young adult is given a canoe by Tomah Joseph. The canoe is now on display at the Roosevelt Campobello International Park. The artwork is beautiful and depicts the scenery and wildlife in all its beauty. Overall, a good addition to any library. I plan on ordering it for mine.

Remember Me is the story of a young Franklin Roosevelt and his friendship with a Passamaquoddy Native American man. After many years spent paddling in a birchbark canoe, Tomah gave Franklin a canoe of his own. The book is complete with information about the two men's lives and information about where the actual canoe can be found, on display.

I love focused biographies that tell little known stories about famous people. This book certainly fits into that category. It gives the reader insight into a rich part of Roosevelt's life as a child.

Displaying a miniature birchbark canoe would help students in the classroom visualize the canoe that Franklin and Tomah used in the book. Students may also draw a scene from their lives or an old family story onto a piece of birchbark as Tomah did onto his birchbark baskets.

(Reviewed from a galley proof supplied by Tilbury House through LT Early Reviewers)

The inspiration for Remember Me: Tomah Joseph's Gift to Franklin Roosevelt is a birchbark canoe (see photo) given by a Passamaquoddy Elder, Tomah Joseph to the future president of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt.

Although the relationship between young Franklin and Tomah Joseph is imagined by the authors, Remember Me (Mikwid Hamin) is based in fact. Franklin's family did spend summers at Campobello Island in Maine and Franklin did receive the canoe from Tomah Joseph.

In the course of their time spent together, Franklin learns about canoeing, but more importantly, Tomah Joseph teaches Franklin about Passamaquody culture - their beliefs, their art, their history, their lifestyle. Franklin is an avid learner and Tomah Joseph is a willing teacher.

Watercolor and pen illustrations in soft, natural colors depict Tomah Joseph and Franklin Roosevelt in a variety of outdoor scenes, as they enjoy nature and each other's company. A page of etchings shows a map of the area, and the book's final pages show a portrait of Franklin Roosevelt as president and a depiction of Tomah Joseph and selections of his artwork.

Remember Me fills in an area of history that seldom appears in children's literature. While it hints at stories of "the Old Time," the story takes place long after the Europeans and later Americans first came into contact with America's native people. Rather than telling the story of "the Old Time" or the many wrongs committed against the Passamaquody, Remember Me focuses on a different aspect of history. A formal tribal chief, and an artist, Tomah Joseph chose to stay in his native lands and interact with the new settlers. In addition to creating baskets and birchbark etchings, he worked as a hunting and fishing guide. In this way, he was able to interact with the settlers and share with them his love and knowledge of nature as well as the culture of his clan.
According to the story, Tomah Joseph recognized young Franklin Roosevelt's potential as an influential leader and, as Tomah Joseph aged and Roosevelt became a young man, Tomah Joseph encouraged him, "Mikwid hamin, Franklin. Always remember me."

This book would be particularly appropriate for classroom use. Unique, informative, and written by a member of the Passamaquoddy tribe.

The publisher's website offers links to many useful links for educators and those interested in further exploration of this story. http://www.tilburyhouse.com/Children%27s%20Frames/child_remember%20me.html½

First of all, this book is beautifully illustrated and that is the first thing that attracts you to the book. The wonderful watercolor illustrations capture the feel of Maine in the summer.

This story from the childhood of Franklin D. Roosevelt brings to light his relationship with a Passamaquoddy elder and chief. His summer spent learning to canoe and about growing up helps shed light on the character of both Roosevelt and the Native American man who shared his life and his past to help Roosevelt understand the bigger picture. Their special friendship is captured in this book, "Remember Me".