Ain't Nobody a Stranger to Me

by Ann Grifalconi, Jerry Pinkney (Illustrator)

Two Caldecott Honor recipients join to bring you the incredible journey of one man, as he recounts the story of his passage on the Underground Railroad to his granddaughter. His message is one of cheer, for although he and his family found troubles during their escape, he found that folks, black and white, "helped lift us up when we was down." How, then, could he ever turn his back on another human being?

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Childrens, African American, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2007

About the author

(September 22, 1929 – February 19, 2020) was an American author and illustrator of children's books. Born in New York, she studied art at the Cooper Union School of Art, where she received a certificate in advertising art in 1950.

Reviews

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the way this story of escaping on the Underground Railroad was told--as a grandfather talking to his granddaughter while walking to the orchard. It's the early 20th century, and the grandfather is explaining to his granddaughter why he views everyone as a friend ("ain't nobody a stranger to me"). Jerry Pinkney's illustrations are beautiful as usual. I particularly like the little girl's outfit. It's a nice story about how an act of kindness can have a major impact on a person's life. Recommended.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 STARS Lovely! I so appreciated this story of a granddaughter talking with her grandfather as they walk to his apple orchard. He shares the story of how he always carried apple seeds in his pocket when he was a slave to remind himself that he would be free one day and that he could plant the seeds of new life and have land of his own. He and his wife and their baby (the little girl's mother) eventually fled for their lives and took the Underground Railroad to freedom. The kindness and assistance of the white Quaker family who helped them is highlighted here (yay!) I appreciate that this is such a positive, overwhelmingly happy story highlighting sweet bond between grandfather and granddaughter and the kindness and humanity that links us. The grandfather always smiles and waves to everyone because he believes, "Ain't nobody a stranger to me!" because we are all united at heart. The story illustrates the struggle to reach freedom, and the struggle to make a living once free, but it is not a downer--instead, the family's spirit and perseverance shine through. I loved the ending (won't say what it is here so you can discover it for yourself if you read it). The grandfather's story is based on a true story.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ann Grifalconi and Jerry Pinkney put together a beautiful story with colorful and vivid illustrations to tell the tale of a Grandpa’s experience on the Underground Railroad and his escape from slavery. As he is retelling the story to his inquisitive grand daughter, the reader can sympathize with his struggles and fears of running to the north. The African American dialect can make it challenging to read or understand as a young reader, but adds much depth to the story and makes it feel as if one is truly listening to the tale from his or her own grandfather. As the story progresses, Pinkney clearly distinguishes between the current day and the flashback, which aids visualization for both parts of the dialogue. Every page emphasizes the need for love and care towards others, and as the grandfather puts it perfectly, “Don’t know ‘em by name – just by heart”. This stimulating tale exemplifies how a little love can go a long way.

[Jsmith42harding.Edu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a book about a grandfather and his granddaughter and the stories he tells her on their walk one day. As the two are walking, the granddaughter notices that her grandfather acknowledges practically everyone they pass. startled by this, she asks her grandfather how he could know so many people, and he goes on to explain how he doesn't know them personally but by heart, which i think is a brilliant way to view interactions with strangers, and he relates that to he and his heart being free after having been enslaved. He tells his granddaughter stories about the past of her relatives and their experience with the underground railroad. I think this book is a beautiful addition to the many other great african american literature picture books, and has become one of my all time favorites.

[GlitterWater79 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A triumph in both words and illustrations. I really loved learning about the writers process of the story coming from that of a formerly enslaved person interviewed by the Federal Writer’s Project. And Pinkney’s art, as always, is extraordinary. I especially loved the spread with the grandfather and granddaughter in the field of apple blossoms. A wonderful book in so many ways, but especially in the ways it articulates complex history with such heart by going write to character and people being human with one another. Eager to was more of the author’s work.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tender story of a grandfather and granddaughter is also a story of the kindness of strangers on the Underground Railroad.
Beautifully illustrated by the inimitable Jerry Pinkney, the tale unfolds in an apple orchard which the formerly enslaved grandfather was able to plant when he became a free man.
Tie-in with Black History,
PBIS/SEL emphasis on kindness to others,
Grandparent's Day,
Autumn/Spring/apple orchards
Recommended for middle to upper elementary grades.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved that this book had the grandfather talking to his granddaughter while walking to the orchard explaining not only his story but her mother's story. This seems like it would be a good book to read in history for a slavery unit. I loved the illustrations as well, very beautifully done and expressive.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The actual words were just okay. But the story itself was better than that. And the art was over the top gorgeous. I'm not sure the book actually sells the title. But the book is definitely worth reading for the whole mix.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical fiction in children's books. This book is great.

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story and pictures

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and hopeful message with some beautiful illustrations.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Mickayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade range: 2-6
Genre: Historical fiction
This books seemed somewhat confusing to me, especially reading it aloud. The meaning paired with the dialect used made it difficult. But I can see where this book could be good for trying to teach dialect and culture.

[529_Amalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ain’t Nobody a Stranger to Me by Ann Grifalconi and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney is a story about a grandfather, who experienced The Underground Railroad, and his granddaughter. The story told by the granddaughter recalls one of her grandfather's weekly trips to his apple orchards with her along on this particular trip. She was fascinated with her grandfather saying "Hello" to every passerby. "How come you know so many people?" "Don't know 'em by name-just by heart, Honey….Ain't nobody stranger to me!" He began to tell her the story of how escaped from slavery with his wife, their baby girl (her mother) and a few apple seeds in his pocket. When they got north and was able to buy land of their own he planted those apple seeds. "An' every time I planted one, I thought of someone who'd helped us on our way…And now we are seein' the blossoms!"
Grifalconi did a great job telling this heart-felt sorry of how a man with his family escaped from slavery with the help of the Underground Railroad and was able to build a new life for himself up north. She stated the story was inspired by a statement from a former slave Orleans Finger. Pinkney did an outstanding job with impressionistic style illustrations with alternating from color to browns and grays for the flashbacks.
Kirkus stared review, recommends ages 7-9. This would be a good accompanying text with a slavery or Underground Railroad unit. This book could be used with a text about Harriet Tubman. This would also be a good book to use with a unit on helping others.

[Flemming Bordrup]

Ann Grifalconi has a unique and also simple (in it's best meaning) way of writing stories.
This book - based on a true statement from a former slave - should be read by adults and children.
Ann Grifalconi really makes it easy to read her books, because of her ability to write like words are spoken. This great author is also a true gem amongst illustrators. Ms. Ann Grifalconi has recived many well earned awards for her work - like the Cladecott Honor 1987 for her outstanding book:
The Village of Round and Square Houses.
I consider myself very fortunate, to have known Ann Grifalconi for more than 50 years. Looking back
through the years, I find that my life have been richly awarded whenever Ann and I have met and shared views of life. She is a remarkable woman!

Ms. Ann Grifalconi had the great opportunity to illustrate - The Jazz Mann - a book written by her dear mother: Mary Hays Weik, an author who not only wrote book for children but also wanted people to know about the threats of nuclear plants.
Please read her book: The Pollution of Waterways by Atomic Wastes by Mary Hays Weik









































































































Please read her book: The Pollution of Waterways by Atomic Wastes

[Jaimie Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

One girl and her grandfather are out for stroll when her grandfather recants about his escape from his life of slavery. He emphasizes the thought that nobody is a stranger to him. He explains the life without freedom but the blessing he found in people when they aided him in his escape through freedom. His granddaughter is enlightened of the Underground Railroad and has been told a story that she will never forget.

This book displays amazing culture accuracy through the grandfather’s speech. He does not talk with the best grammar but the speech is very accurate to most escaped slaves. The illustrations clearly display what the text wants to portray and children are engaged through the simple, yet deep plot of the story. This story teaches a detailed lesson on an Underground Railroad experiences in language and style appropriate for elementary school children. It is very fun, engaging, and educational at the same time!

[Linda Lipko · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lovely bond between grand father and grand daughter. As they leisurely walk through town, he nods to all. He explains to his grand daughter that even if he doesn't know the name, he holds people in his heart.

Explaining that when he and her grandmother were salves, they escaped from the south to the north. Carrying a little baby, her mother, the grand daughter learns of the price of freedom and how they were helped by a white man, a Quaker who was part of the underground railroad movement. Thus, the grand father's happiness is realizing that even strangers can be friends.

When a slave, her grandfather placed apple seeds in his pocket. He hoped that some day he would be free and own his own land. Indeed, he became free and now walks with his grand daughter through his apple orchard as she plants seeds for the future.

The illustrations are lovely and lush. After reading the book, I immediately re-read and enjoyed the illustrations once again.

[Hannah Grosse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. It has a good moral, yet doesn't pose any biases. It is very accurate to real life and what happened during the time of slavery. As grandpa tells his story, the pictures become old and antique-looking, with little color compared to the pictures of him and his granddaughter. This gives contrast and good clarity to which parts are in the present (in the story) and which parts are provided as portions of the story the grandpa is telling to the little girl. My only negative comment about this book is that the title does not seem to have a whole lot to do with the majority of the book. Once at the beginning, and once at the end, Grandpa mentions that nobody is a stranger to him. He mentions the LORD and the nice quaker that did not discriminate against him. Maybe there's a connection there, but other than that, I cannot think of another reason for that title being what it was.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pictures are done in a watercolor medium, and use almost all available space. When the Grandpa is thinking back from escaping from slavery everything is in a brown hue like sepia showing it’s a memory, and the present time has real colors. The color pallet in real time isn’t that expansive as the majority is focused on the nature, so is mostly earthly tones. The land is important as it the symbol of freedom for the former slave grandfather. All the textures look smooth, and really balance all the objects. It also has a more realistic feel giving the characters and backgrounds a three-dimensional effect.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story, perhaps because it’s a grandfather passing along his story to his granddaughter, and I like family stories. He tells of the time when he and her grandmother were slaves, her mother was a baby and they knew they must flee to the north, along the Underground Railroad. Grandpa acknowledges the help he got all along the way. He says: “I been on both sides. When somebody falls down, what kind of man gonna stop ‘n’ say: ‘I don’t pick up no stranger! Let ‘em lie there’? Leastways, not me!” These two are on their way to Grandpa’s apple orchard, and when they arrive, the granddaughter plants her own seeds, to carry on the story.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grifalconi text is simple, lovely and offers the reader slang language. This book was easy to read and could follow the story easily.
Pinkeys illustrations are bright and beautiful. He used watercolors to portray an old story. This story was a very powerful one that children of all ages would like.

Ages ~ All Ages

History ~ Practice time lines. Discuss slavery, Underground railroad, and freedom.

[Becky Birtha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A grandfather tells his granddaughter the story of his escape from slavery with his wife and child, assistance from a Quaker family, crossing the Ohio River, and subsequent hard work to make a life in the north, as she accompanies him on a weekly walk to his apple orchard, now blossoming, planted with seeds he carried with him on his journey. Jerry Pinkney's watercolor illustrations are, as always, exquisite.

[Anne Nydam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book that gives children and adults a good way to talk together about the question "Who is my neighbor?" It does require children to know the very basics of the history of slavery in the US, but the character's treatment of this history, though poignant, is not bitter. It is also a lovely depiction of wisdom being shared across generations.

[Elizabeth Sandlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book not only provides a multicultural perspective, but also allows for deeper thinking. The little girls is a character that students can identify with as she listens to the wisdom of her family and finds her own meaning behind the message sent. I love the use of the relationship of family in this book. Everyone needs someone to look up to.

[Shanice Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story about a granddaughter learning about her grandparent's escape from slavery through the storytelling of her grandpa and how he was helped by a white farmer on the underground railroad . I love the fact this is a family story feels really personal and rich. Jerry Pinkney did a beautiful job illustrating this book, easy to see why it's a classic.

[Tanille Bradshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great multicultural book that helps children understand slavery and what it was like in that time period. The little girl is being told the story of the family apple orchard by her grandfather who was once a slave. Very good literature with amazing illustrations.

[Chardell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about a little girl and her grandfather; he talks to her about when he was a slave and why he knows everyone. Through his travels to freedom, he feels he has seen it all, which is why nobody is a stranger to him. I would highly recommend this for a social studies lesson.

[Ashley Correll · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a black culture. The story itself is about a little girl and her grandfather. Her grandfather talks to her about when he was a slave and how he knows everyone. Through his travels to freedom, he feels he had seen it all, which is why nobody is a stranger to him.

[Susanna S571 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story was told really well; it could be very complex, but Grifalconi writes it in a conversational and yet straightforward style so that even very young readers/listeners can follow along. I always like Jerry Pinkney's work, and this book is no exception.

[Bill Prosser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great underground railroad book. Illustrations are beautiful and the story is very enjoyable. I like the positive look and the pay back for the kindness grandpa experienced theme.