Ever since you were a baby, you've met kind strangers. They've talked to you when you went somewhere with a parent or babysitter. Maybe the stranger was a man in the grocery store, a lady at the hairdresser's, or someone on a bus or in the park. "How old are you?" the stranger might have said. "What's your name?" Or "Are those new shoes you have on?"

Your day is more fun when people are cheerful and friendly. Whenever a parent or adult who's taking care of you is right there, it's safe to chat with a stranger.

But you're getting older now. You're out in the world more by yourself. You listen to the news, and you hear your family talk.

You know that once in a great while, there's a stranger who is no a child's friend. Once in a while, a bad stranger wants to hurt a child or take a child away from his or her parents.

The trouble is, that person doesn't always look bad or mean. Bad strangers can be like the wolf Red Riding Hood found in her grandmother's bed. He spoke kind words, but he wanted to hurt her.

Most children will grow up without ever being bothered by a bad stranger. After all, the majority of people are nice. And there are lots of people watching out for you, all the time. Your parents and teachers and police officers and crossing guards watch out for you. It's their job to keep you safe.

But what if a stranger ever does make you frightened or nervous? What should you do? This book will tell you. It's a book for you, about strangers.

Who Is a Stranger?

A stranger is someone you don't know. Even if you recognize people and they act friendly, they're still strangers unless you or your parents know their names and addresses and have gotten to know them well. The garbage man, the grocery- store clerk, and the ice-cream man are all strangers.

A stranger can be a man or woman, young or old. A stranger can wear jeans and a T-shirt or dress up in a suit and tie. No matter how they look, all the people shown on this page are strangers. You and your parents don't know their names and addresses, and nobody in your family is well acquainted with them.

What Should I Do if a Stranger Approaches?

If a stranger passing on the street says, "Hi," it's okay to answer, "Hi." But suppose you're alone or only with other children, and a stranger walks up. He asks you questions about yourself, like "What's your name? "Where do you live?" "Are you all alone?"

Don't answer! Run! That person might not be your friend.

Suppose a stranger asks you for help. Maybe a lady says she doesn't know the way to Fifth Street and needs someone to walk over there with her.

Don't go! Never go anywhere with a stranger!