Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney,
Sojourner Truth’s Step-Stomp Stride
Disney / Jump at the Sun Books, 2009.

Ages 5-9

Colorful, forthright, energetic prose that matches the character of its subject distinguishes this picture book biography of Sojourner Truth. “She was big. She was black . She was so beautiful.” The opening words set the tone for a lively narrative that describes Sojourner Truth’s life as one defined by both her physical and moral strength, and endless courage. “In search of freedom, Belle ran. She fled like tomorrow wasn’t ever gonna come. . . Belle ran right up to hope’s front door.” Andrea Davis Pinkney’s account culminates with Sojourner’s riveting, righteous comments at a women’s rights convention in Akron, Ohio, in 1851, in which she countered claims of women as the weaker sex with a description of her own life, asking, “And ain’t I a woman?”

Megan Schliesman
January 2010