Lost in the Woods

Jump into the springtime forest with a newborn fawn, raccoons, turtles, chipmunks and more. Sisbro Studios created a movie and soundtrack based on the New York Times bestselling children's book Lost in the Woods, by Michigan photographers Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick. Together, the book and movie have won over 23 international awards.

“The movie is a gem that young children will find funny and “naturally” educational. The most surprising element is the humor, springing from footage of real animals synced up with the voices of actors who make the forest creatures into a cavalcade of culturally diverse characters (including a joke-telling tadpole) who spout one-liners better than most stand-up comics.”  --  Gregory Keer, Parent’s Choice Foundation, Blogger of FamilyManOnline 

The Movie

Sisbro Studios created this half-hour, live action movie to accompany the children's book Lost in the Woods, by photographers Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick. An old box turtle (named Shirley) meets a raccoon (named Fernando Hernandafandavez) who is totally lost in the forest. Shirley helps Fernando discover the magic of spring, as well as the tale of a newborn fawn in the springtime woods. All the animals think the fawn is lost, but is he?

Winner of over 33 awards (including 2006 Wildscreen Panda Award for Best Children's Wildlife Film Worldwide) and screened at over 16 film festivals. The movie includes several original songs, including a jazzy tune called The Signs of Spring, sung by a lounge-singing tree frog. You'll also hear a beautiful lullaby sung by the mother doe to her fawn, before she leaves her fawn alone in the grasses.

(Runtime 29 minutes; Color NTSC; Special DVD features include a behind-the-scenes movie and animal sounds game)

The Book

This photographic fantasy, by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick, tells a springtime tale of what happens when animals find a fawn alone in the woods. Is the newborn fawn lost? Will his mother return?

Betty DeRamus of the Detroit News describes the book by saying, “Lost in the Woods . . . shimmered with images of skittering forest creatures and grass so green you could almost smell it.” The book weaves a delightful tale with a message: most fawns found alone in the woods are rarely lost or abandoned. Newborn fawns spend their first weeks without mom because her scent will attract predators.

Lost in the Woods has received eight prestigious awards including the Independent Publisher's Award for Best Children's Picture Book.

(48 full color pages.)

The Soundtrack

The soundtrack features a book read-along, as well as all the music from the movie. Hear a tree frog sing a jazzy tune called “The Signs of Spring.” Hear a mother doe sing a comforting lullaby to her fawn, before she leaves it alone in the grasses. Enjoy a raccoon singing the blues while he pleads with his mother to let him explore the forest alone. During the read-along, you'll hear quirky voices and catchy music that bring the story to life. Follow along with your book, and turn the page each time you hear the robin singing.

Movie Awards

• 2006 Panda Award for Children's Programming, Wildscreen Film Festival, England
• 2006 Videographer Awards for Voice-Over Talent, Creativity/Humor and Children's Programming
• 2006 Parent's Choice Foundation, A Recommended Award Winner
• 2006 Telly Silver Awards for Children's Audience and Nature/Wildlife
• 2006 Aurora Award for Original Music
• 2006 Aegis Award for Drama/Entertainment
• 2006 Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence
• 2006 Kids First! Approval
• 2006 Best Children's Short of ZoieFest2006

Film Festival Screenings

• 2006 Wildscreen International Film Festival (Bristol, England)
• 2006 San Diego International Children's Film Festival (San Diego, CA)
• 2006 Danville International Children's Film Festival (Danville, CA)
• 2006 East Lansing Children's Film Festival (East Lansing, MI)
• 2006 Lil' Longbaugh International Children's Film Festival (Portland, OR)
• 2006 Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival (Los Angeles, CA)
• 2006 Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival (Nevada City, CA)
• 2006 Kids First! Film and Video Festival (which travels around the country)
• 2006 Moondance International Film Festival (Hollywood, CA)
• 2006 New York International Independent Film and Video Festival (Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY)
• 2006 ZoieFest
• 2006 Rhode Island International Film Festival (Providence, RI)
• 2006 Martha's Vineyard Film Festival (Massachusetts)
• 2007 Muskegon Film Festival (Muskegon, MI)
• 2007 Environmental Film Festival in Washington D.C.
• 2007 Green Film Festival (Seoul, Korea)

Book Awards

• 2006-2007 Children's Crown Gallery Award Nominee
• 2005 Independent Publishers Best Children's Picture Book Award
• 2005 Earlychildhood NEWS Director's Choice Award
• 2005 Earlychildhood NEWS Judge's Choice Award for Excellence
• 2005 USA Book News Best Children's Picture Book Award
• 2005 Library of Michigan "Michigan Reads!" Finalist
• 2004 Great Lakes Booksellers Association Book of the Year Finalist
• 2004 Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Finalist