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Thanks To The Animals
In 1900 during the Passamaquoddy winter migration in Maine, Baby Zoo Sap falls off the family bobsled and the forest animals hearing his cries, gather to protect him until his father returns to find him.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 21, 2022
When winter arrives, Joo Tum and his family prepare for the move from their summer home along the coast, to their cold-weather quarters, deep in the woods. Disassembling their log cabin, loading all their belongings onto a horse-drawn sled, they are soon on their way. But when Zoo Sap, the baby of the family, falls off the back of the sled, where all the other children are sleeping together in a fur-wrapped pile, he is soon left behind - alone in the cold night! Luckily, his wails bring the forest animals to his side, and they use their own bodies to create a warm bed for him...
This gentle tale from Passamaquoddy storyteller and elder, Allen Sockabasin - who has also published an autobiography for adult readers, An Upriver Passamaquoddy - would make a wonderful reassurance story at bedtime. Not only does Zoo Sap's father come for him - walking back through the cold forest, when it is discovered that he is missing - but all the creatures of the forest take care of him, in the absence of his parents. I liked the positive view of the natural world offered in Thanks to the Animals, and the gratitude shown by Joo Tum to the animals, when he discovers his son safe in their care. The accompanying illustrations by Rebekah Raye, whose Bear-ly There made such a good impression on me, accentuate both the cold of the winter landscape, and the warmth of Zoo Sap's animal companions. All in all, an excellent winter-time story - a list of Passamaquoddy words is even included, at the rear!
This gentle tale from Passamaquoddy storyteller and elder, Allen Sockabasin - who has also published an autobiography for adult readers, An Upriver Passamaquoddy - would make a wonderful reassurance story at bedtime. Not only does Zoo Sap's father come for him - walking back through the cold forest, when it is discovered that he is missing - but all the creatures of the forest take care of him, in the absence of his parents. I liked the positive view of the natural world offered in Thanks to the Animals, and the gratitude shown by Joo Tum to the animals, when he discovers his son safe in their care. The accompanying illustrations by Rebekah Raye, whose Bear-ly There made such a good impression on me, accentuate both the cold of the winter landscape, and the warmth of Zoo Sap's animal companions. All in all, an excellent winter-time story - a list of Passamaquoddy words is even included, at the rear!
January 27, 2022
A retelling of a traditional Passamaquoddy story that supports parental love and our reliance on the natural world. The soft, sweet illustrations are an important addition to the knowledge about this tribe’s way of life and the animal life in the northeastern region of North America.
Mother Tongue notes: Beware possible triggers for students who have experienced traumatic immigration. One of my young students was immediately upset when the baby was separated from the family. I only finished the story with the students’ permission after quickly revealing the safe return of the baby to the family.
The individual naming of the pictured animals was helpful and interesting for students. We read this book in conjunction with “Mama, Do you Love Me” and compared the animals and cultures of the Inuit, Passamaquoddy, and Sámi.
Mother Tongue notes: Beware possible triggers for students who have experienced traumatic immigration. One of my young students was immediately upset when the baby was separated from the family. I only finished the story with the students’ permission after quickly revealing the safe return of the baby to the family.
The individual naming of the pictured animals was helpful and interesting for students. We read this book in conjunction with “Mama, Do you Love Me” and compared the animals and cultures of the Inuit, Passamaquoddy, and Sámi.
December 29, 2022
This updated version of a previous publication of a classic Passamaquoddy story was new to me, but I found it appealing and heartfelt. The text and colorful illustrations demonstrate great respect for the natural world as well as gratitude for the kindness of wild animals. It is, after all, thanks to the animals that little Zoo Sap survives, and also appropriate that the infant's father Joo Tum is filled with gratitude for their help in saving the child and quick to give thanks to each of them. The little one falls off the heavily-loaded sled as the family is relocating from the lake to their home in the woods for the winter. No one notices, and the sled moves on. But the nearby animals hear his cries, and one by one, starting with two beavers, large and then small animals surround Zoo Sap since they know he won't survive the cold without them. Once Joo Tum reaches home and realizes his son is missing, he retraces his path to find him. But he's out there in the woods all night, and by the time he finds Zoo Sap, all the animals are covered in snow but he is safe and warm, having been sheltered by them all through the night. The gentle, almost hypnotic way the story is told, listing each animal that joins that circle of warmth, and highlighting their act of compassion, done without a second thought since they know the boy's father will return, is touchingly effective, and the rosy cheeks of that healthy child who owes his life to those animals stand as proof of their kindness. Each double-page spread in this board book is filled with richly-rendered illustrations. My favorite ones are those in which the animals are approaching Zoo Sap as they fill in any gaps through which cold might seep, consequently blanketing him in fur and feathers.
September 1, 2025
I read Thanks to the Animals written by Allen Sockabasin and illustrated by Rebekah Raye. The story starts off by explaining that Joo Tum and his family were moving north for the winter time. They packed up their house and their belongings onto a bobsled and began their trip. At the back of the sled Joo Tum has made room for the children to ride in the back. While the rest of the children were sleeping, Zoo Sap, the baby of the family, tumbled off the sled. As he cried in the snow, the animals of the forest began to come to Zoo Sap. The book lists a variety of forest animals such as bears, rabbits, beavers, moose, foxes, etc. They all huddled around him to keep him warm. The last animal to come was a bald eagle. He sat atop of the huddle and covered the rest of the animals with his wings. Joo Tum and his family arrived at his winter home. He realized that Zoo Sap was missing and began to retrace the trail to find his son. As he was traveling through the woods he saw the mound of animals. He took Zoo Sap out of the huddle and returned to his family.
I enjoyed this book. This book is very simple and would translate well with pre-school children and lower elementary. If I were to use this in my classroom we would read this when talking about the importance of taking care of one another. The book illustrates that perfectly with all of the animals coming to Zoo Sap’s aid with no hesitation.
I enjoyed this book. This book is very simple and would translate well with pre-school children and lower elementary. If I were to use this in my classroom we would read this when talking about the importance of taking care of one another. The book illustrates that perfectly with all of the animals coming to Zoo Sap’s aid with no hesitation.
November 30, 2020
By a Passamaquoddy storyteller, this calm and gentle story hinges on the mutual respect between a Native family and the natural world surrounding them. As the family sleeps during their travels to their winter home, the youngest child falls from the sled into the snow. Unnoticed by the sleeping family, the child is protected by all of the animals of the forest until he can be reunited with his father. I love the knowledge and wisdom shown by all of the animals in the forest, and the opportunity to discuss how we can protect animals and how they do so much for us as well. Also loved seeing how the log home was being transported from one spot to the other. The illustrations have a nice use of color that speaks to the winter environment and the quietness of that season.
December 2, 2024
A story of one family’s seasonal migration and gratitude for the reciprocity and care of the animals.
“I knew you would come back for Zoo Sap,”
the eagle said.
Joo Tum looked down and saw his son,
safely sleeping in a great pile of warm animals.
Joo Tum thanked the animals one by one.
Then he took Zoo Sap in his strong arms
and went back to the family.
The authors note is very informative on language use and history. I could see reading this alongside Louise Erdrich’s The Birchbark House to further illustrate seasonal migration and collective care.
Listen below to hear author Allen Sockabasin tell the story in Passamaquoddy:
https://www.tilburyhouse.com/bookstor...
“I knew you would come back for Zoo Sap,”
the eagle said.
Joo Tum looked down and saw his son,
safely sleeping in a great pile of warm animals.
Joo Tum thanked the animals one by one.
Then he took Zoo Sap in his strong arms
and went back to the family.
The authors note is very informative on language use and history. I could see reading this alongside Louise Erdrich’s The Birchbark House to further illustrate seasonal migration and collective care.
Listen below to hear author Allen Sockabasin tell the story in Passamaquoddy:
https://www.tilburyhouse.com/bookstor...
October 16, 2017
This is a story about an Indian family traveling moving for the winter. Their baby falls off of the sled and the animals hear the cries of the baby. The animals find him and take care of him and keep him warm. The family realizes that the baby is missing and go back to find him. They find him being protected by the animals. This story teaches us about how the Indians have respect for animals and nature.
November 5, 2022
Read this to my TK - 2nd grade classes this week, but could work for upper elementary as well, as there is much that can be discussed and learned from this story. We talked about the nomadic lifestyle of the family in the story, the environment in Maine, and the animals that would inhabit such a forest. Also a great opportunity to talk about the importance of taking care of the natural world.
Allen Sockabasin is a Passamaquoddy story-teller and includes a great author’s note at the end.
Allen Sockabasin is a Passamaquoddy story-teller and includes a great author’s note at the end.
October 16, 2017
Although it's an endearing story, I find it a little concerning that the baby falls off the sleigh thing. Why wasn't the mother watching the baby more closely. I think otherwise it's a great story about how the animals one by one protect the baby. In the end when the father finds the baby with the bald eagle protecting all the animals children will enjoy the happy ending.
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April 13, 2020This is a sweet, quiet story and the soothing illustrations complement it very well. Despite the baby falling into the snow, there is nothing "jarring" about the tale, and even the youngest reader knows right away that Zoo Sap will be safe. The book has a bit of versatility, too.
September 8, 2020
A story of a lost Passamaquoddy child who is protected by the animals of the forest. I loved to learn that this book was written by a Passamaquoddy Storyteller and that a pronunciation guide was provided at the end of the book. I also then went to the publisher's website and found the recording of Allen J. Sockasbasin reading the book in his native language.
October 1, 2017
This was a good book. My kids loved pointing out all of the different animals as they curled up with Zoo Sap to help keep him warm. They also enjoyed discussing why Zoo Sap's family had to pack up their whole house and move it for the winter. It was a good learning experience for them.
October 16, 2017
I loved this book, especially because of my love for animals. I've always liked to think that all animals are kind and have a special language, whether it be spoken or not. I like to think that something like this can happen in real life, but it is a beautifully written book.
November 20, 2018
Beautiful! A fable that celebrates animals and the unity between us all. The backmatter includes information on the Passamaquoddy tribe and a list of the Passamaquoddy names for each animal depicted in the book (spelled phonetically).
December 24, 2020
A beautiful story of the Passamaquoddy people. I loved the author's note and pronunciation guide for animal names at the back of the book. This story is tender and sweet, and an homage to the wildlife that have sustained Indigenous Peoples.
November 9, 2022
A charming original fable from a (OwnVoices) Passamaquoddy storyteller. Terrific to share with your littles in November (ticks at least three boxes as you can count thankfulness, getting ready for winter, and Native American month). I love the author photo, with young son, on the back flap.
June 7, 2018
A baby falls off the sleigh when his family is moving to their winter home. The animals huddled around him to keep him warm.
September 25, 2018
Interesting.
February 2, 2019
A story of how animals came together to keep a little boy alive when he falls off of the family sleigh.
February 18, 2019
A beautiful book with a refreshingly more traditional tale from Native culture. I appreciate the notes in the back and make sure to read those to my little one as well.
September 26, 2020
Sweet story that explains about the Alaskan people and their lives.
October 8, 2020
This was a really sweet story with sweet illustrations!
February 4, 2022
Beautiful book and illustrations!
February 3, 2023
Loved the opportunity to hear this in passamaquoddy.
November 17, 2012
This lovely book not only offers warm reassurance to small children about being protected, but helps convey the Native American approach to nature, including the idea that both the animals and the land are deserving of our respect and gratitude.
It is the year 1900, and the time for the Passamaquoddy tribe to make their winter migration in Maine. Baby Zoo Sap is loaded onto the family bobsled when his family moves from their summer home into the deep woods for the winter. Zoo Sap falls off the sled and the family isn’t aware of it at first. But the animals in the forest hear his cries, and come together to snuggle him and keep him warm and safe until his father, Papa Joo Tum, comes back to find him. Joo Tum thanks each of the animals for saving his boy, and carries Zoo Sap back to the family.
Parent/Teacher material at the end of the book provides background on the Passamaquoddy tribe. (The Passamaquoddy are original natives of the area between Maine and New Brunswick.) A guide is also included for the Passamaquoddy names for the animals appearing in the story.
The author is a Passamaquoddy Storyteller, and actually has a young son named Zoo Sap. He has done a great deal of work to advance the cause of native peoples, having grown up in a world of hurt and outrage, as this bit of his biography demonstrates (from the write-up accompanying his 2010 Sampson Catalyst for Change Award from the University of Southern Maine ):
Admirably, Sockabasin did not turn inward, or become consumed by anger, but instead became a tireless activist for native rights and native language preservation (one of the more popular features of his speaking tours is when he plays “Ain’t Nothing’ But A Hound Dog” using Passamaquoddy words). In addition, through his storytelling, he has helped to instigate change through the fostering of empathy and understanding.
The illustrator, Rebekah Raye, is well-known for her paintings of birds and animals. Her watercolor-and-ink pictures in this book are as warm and cozy as Zoo Sap must have been, surrounded by warm furry animals as he was kept safe and sound.
Evaluation: This is a charming book, and a perfect winter and/or bedtime story for younger children.
It is the year 1900, and the time for the Passamaquoddy tribe to make their winter migration in Maine. Baby Zoo Sap is loaded onto the family bobsled when his family moves from their summer home into the deep woods for the winter. Zoo Sap falls off the sled and the family isn’t aware of it at first. But the animals in the forest hear his cries, and come together to snuggle him and keep him warm and safe until his father, Papa Joo Tum, comes back to find him. Joo Tum thanks each of the animals for saving his boy, and carries Zoo Sap back to the family.
Parent/Teacher material at the end of the book provides background on the Passamaquoddy tribe. (The Passamaquoddy are original natives of the area between Maine and New Brunswick.) A guide is also included for the Passamaquoddy names for the animals appearing in the story.
The author is a Passamaquoddy Storyteller, and actually has a young son named Zoo Sap. He has done a great deal of work to advance the cause of native peoples, having grown up in a world of hurt and outrage, as this bit of his biography demonstrates (from the write-up accompanying his 2010 Sampson Catalyst for Change Award from the University of Southern Maine ):
Sockabasin, born in 1944 in the Native American village of Peter Dana Point, has worked for decades to gain recognition of and fair treatment for his people. The 10th of 11 children, he grew up in eastern Maine when native people were denied voting rights and use of public restrooms, were refused service by white barbers and were segregated from whites in movie theaters.”
Admirably, Sockabasin did not turn inward, or become consumed by anger, but instead became a tireless activist for native rights and native language preservation (one of the more popular features of his speaking tours is when he plays “Ain’t Nothing’ But A Hound Dog” using Passamaquoddy words). In addition, through his storytelling, he has helped to instigate change through the fostering of empathy and understanding.
The illustrator, Rebekah Raye, is well-known for her paintings of birds and animals. Her watercolor-and-ink pictures in this book are as warm and cozy as Zoo Sap must have been, surrounded by warm furry animals as he was kept safe and sound.
Evaluation: This is a charming book, and a perfect winter and/or bedtime story for younger children.
December 16, 2014
If you are a parent, have you ever accidentally left a child behind when traveling? It is around 1900, and following the coming of the first snows, Joo Tum is taking his family on the long journey from their summer home by the seashore to their winter home in the deep inland woods. However, while he leads the horse and the rest of the family sleeps on the sled, the baby, little Zoo Sap, stands up and tumbles off. All different kinds of animals, alerted by his crying, come to help keep the wee one warm—beavers, moose, caribou, deer, fox, wolf, raccoons, porcupines, rabbits, weasels, mink, muskrat, otter, squirrels, mice, owl, raven, crow, jay, duck, goose, seagull, and finally the eagle. Will Zoo Sap survive? And will Joo Tum ever find him?
Author Allen Sockabasin, a Passamaquoddy storyteller, is an artist and musician who devotes much of his time to teaching and preserving his native language. This expression of appreciation for the natural world is beautifully illustrated with colorful paintings by Rebekah Raye. The tenth anniversary second edition includes several new features, such as an Author’s Note explaining the seasonal migration of the Passamaquoddy people who occupied lands between Maine and New Brunswick, a pronunciation guide to the Passamaquoddy names of all the animals in the story, and a QR code that will let readers link to the audio recording of Sockabasin telling the tale in the Passamaquoddy language. Thanks to the Animals has been named one of the Top Ten Native American Books for Elementary Schools by American Indians in Children’s Literature and would make a great bedtime story.
Author Allen Sockabasin, a Passamaquoddy storyteller, is an artist and musician who devotes much of his time to teaching and preserving his native language. This expression of appreciation for the natural world is beautifully illustrated with colorful paintings by Rebekah Raye. The tenth anniversary second edition includes several new features, such as an Author’s Note explaining the seasonal migration of the Passamaquoddy people who occupied lands between Maine and New Brunswick, a pronunciation guide to the Passamaquoddy names of all the animals in the story, and a QR code that will let readers link to the audio recording of Sockabasin telling the tale in the Passamaquoddy language. Thanks to the Animals has been named one of the Top Ten Native American Books for Elementary Schools by American Indians in Children’s Literature and would make a great bedtime story.
May 3, 2020
Trait: Ideas
ATOS: 3.4
Lexile: 620L
A short but heart warming story about the trust and love of animals. This story is loosely based around the seasonal migration of the Passamaquoddy Native Americans. The book also has great information in the back of the book about the tribe and the typical seasonal migration of these Native Americans, as well as animal name translations of their native language.
ATOS: 3.4
Lexile: 620L
A short but heart warming story about the trust and love of animals. This story is loosely based around the seasonal migration of the Passamaquoddy Native Americans. The book also has great information in the back of the book about the tribe and the typical seasonal migration of these Native Americans, as well as animal name translations of their native language.
Read
December 9, 2016This book a really cute story about a Native American baby. During a harsh winter while traveling on a bob sled, Zoo Sap and his family was traveling back home from a long journey. When the elders fell asleep on the sled, little Zoo Sap stood up and fell off the sled. It was so cold outside and the little baby was crying. The animals in the wilderness came one by one and piled on top of the little baby to keep him warm. When his parents got home, they realized that the baby was gone. When they went back to look at them, they found the baby fully protected by the animals. The thing that I liked most about this story was the pictures. They were very so, calm colors which made me think of the colors and design that would be used in a nursery. This story did not receive any awards.This is a fantasy story. For a read aloud, I would get the students to write down their inferences as I am reading about what they think will happen to the baby next. Then afterwards, we will read them together to see how they matched with what really happened. For a writing lesson, I would let each student think of a time that they had one of their pets help them. Either they would be feeling lonely, or actually be physically hurt, how did the animals help them.
August 1, 2012
It is time for the family to move from the summer home to their winter home. The house is torn down and stacked up on the sled with the family on last. The family was tucking into blankets, but curious baby Zoo Sap stood up and tumbled from the sled. No one from the family heard his cries, but the forest animals came to investigate. They saw Zoo Sap and knew they needed to keep him warm.
This is a warm and loving tale to read during a cold, winter night. Listeners can also count all the animals that came to help out Zoo Sap. Sockabasin's story would also make a very clever and indept flannel board story.
Theme: Native American tales
Additional themes: winter, animal friends, warm
Reviewed from a library copy.
This is a warm and loving tale to read during a cold, winter night. Listeners can also count all the animals that came to help out Zoo Sap. Sockabasin's story would also make a very clever and indept flannel board story.
Theme: Native American tales
Additional themes: winter, animal friends, warm
Reviewed from a library copy.
January 6, 2014
This is a really beautiful and gentle story about a Passamaquoddy family that is moving from the coast for the winter. Along the way, the baby, Zoo Sap, falls from the sled. The local animals respond to his cries and gather to keep him warm. When the father finally discovers his son is missing, he goes out and finds him. He thanks the animals for keeping the boy safe and warm.
It's a nice way for children to learn about traditional ways of life for the Passamaquoddy, as well as their regard for nature. I like that the story was written by a traditional storyteller from the tribe. The illustrations are soft and fuzzy which makes it feel a little like you're peering back in time. It also works nicely for depicting the snowy winter.
It's a nice way for children to learn about traditional ways of life for the Passamaquoddy, as well as their regard for nature. I like that the story was written by a traditional storyteller from the tribe. The illustrations are soft and fuzzy which makes it feel a little like you're peering back in time. It also works nicely for depicting the snowy winter.
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