Sojourner Truth’s Step-Stomp Stride (2009)
Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney
This vibrantly illustrated book echoes the voice projected by historical figure Sojourner Truth, following her from her early days as a slave named Belle to a vocal feminist with her own name.
Illustrations are sketches that portray movement and intimate close-ups with the main character. In each scene Sojourner’s posture mirrors the confidence that the narrative describes. She lifts her arms up expressively before a crowd on one page. The warm yellow palette and sound effects highlight the force with which Sojourner shares her ideas with her society. This story’s narrative also echoes African American dialect of the period, as well as including some of Sojourner’s famous quotes. She proclaims, “Ain’t I a Woman,” and the narration gives this powerful statement context that can be interpreted by children.
Students will enjoy learning about Sojourner Truth’s beaming personality and the injustices she suffered in this picturebook. Teachers can introduce or contextualize the word “abolitionist” using this text. Particularly interesting is the portion about how Olive Gilbrert documented her story, which was published in 1850 as “The Narrative of Sojourner Truth, A Northern Slave.”
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