Trinka Hakes Noble

As the threat of a British offensive looms over Philadelphia in 1777, young Maddy Rose, whose father had died fighting for the American cause in the Battle of Princeton, does her part for the patriots, keeping watch on the harbor, and "reporting" her findings on her laundry-line. Building upon the game she and her older brother Jonathan, off with General Washington and his troops outside of the city, used to play, she uses a code to alert him to the kind of ships currently docked at the show more harbor. But after battle is engaged at Brandywine Creek, Jonathan fails to show up at his usual time...

A work of historical fiction for younger picture-book readers, The Scarlet Stockings Spy, part of Sleeping Bear Press's Tales of Young Americans series, seems inspired by the life of author Trinka Hakes Noble's own Revolutionary War-era ancestor, who was with General Washington's army during this period. It is a poignant reminder of the cost of war, and the sacrifices made for American freedom and statehood. The language veers occasionally into the histrionic (Maddy Rose sews "tears of grief and the clenched fist of defiance" into her flag), and the artwork wasn't really to my taste (a little too "photographic" for me), but even so, this was still a solidly engaging work about an important moment in history. Recommended to picture-book readers who are interested in the American Revolution, and enjoy historical fiction. show less

Poor in material things, but rich in artistic talent and family love, young Delly Porter didn't mind going to school barefoot. After all, she enjoyed the feeling of the dirt under her feet, from the sandy spots, to the silky smooth ones. But when her beloved teacher, Miss Violet, informed the class that they would be holding a Shoebox Social - in which each pupil would decorate a shoebox, and then they would be auctioned off - to raise money for art supplies, and Delly saw the most beautiful show more pair of orange shoes in the window of Sussman's Department Store, she was filled with longing. Her father, scraping by with two new truck tires, instead of four, fulfilled her fondest dreams, and Delly, ecstatic at finally having something beautiful to wear, brought her new orange shoes to school. Her dismay, when her cruel schoolmates, angry that a "dirt poor" girl like Delly should have something so lovely, trample her beautiful shoes, is indescribable. Has this precious gift been ruined by their spitefulness...?

A poignant tale of a poor farm girl with a rich inner vision, and warm family life, The Orange Shoes addresses some important issues - poverty, classism (Delly is targeted, not for being poor, but for getting "above" herself), bullying, art as a means of coping with negative emotions, and family love - in a gentle and non-preachy way. Trinka Hakes Noble's story could so easily have descended into treacly sentimentality, but she resists the impulse to transform her heroine into a paragon (Delly waving her foot in the face of Prudy Winfield, the bully ringleader, was just priceless!), keeping her a believable, and very winsome little girl instead. Delly's father emerges as a very appealing character as well: strong, loving and supportive. Doris Ettlinger's wonderful illustrations capture the emotional depth of each scene - I particularly liked the scene in which Prudy Winfield is leaning over to whisper malicious comments in Delly's ear - and are the perfect complement to the narrative. Highly recommended to anyone looking for children's stories dealing with poverty, bullying, and the role of art in a child's life. show less

Author Trinka Hakes Noble and illustrator Gerald Kelley retell the legend of the Jersey Devil, a mysterious and threatening creature said to haunt the Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey in this atmospheric picture-book. Believed to have been the thirteenth child of one Mother Leeds, who, not wanting another baby, declared, "Let it be a devil!," the creature had a horse-like head, a wyvern-like dragon body, hoofed feet and a tail. Immediately a sensation in the area, the Devil attracted show more preachers who railed against it, and animal hunters from New York and Philadelphia, intent on capturing it. All were driven off by the creature, who had made the swampy Pine Barrens his home, and who reappeared from time to time, to remind the world of his presence...

One of the great cryptids of North American folklore - akin to the Hodag of Wisconsin, the Lake Erie Monster, and others - the Jersey Devil dates back to the early 18th century, and has been seen many times over the years. In January of 1909, there were apparently multiple sightings, and the sensationalist news coverage of these events led to the closure of schools, and organized hunts being undertaken for the creature. The New Jersey Devils - the state's current professional hockey team - are named after the famous cryptid. Although long familiar with the existence of this creature, The Legend of the Jersey Devil is the first book I have read about it. I'm glad it was my introduction, as I found Noble's narrative engrossing, and the accompanying artwork from Kelley deliciously spooky. This is one I would recommend, both to young folklore enthusiasts, and to picture-book readers looking for spooky, atmospheric stories. show less

Trinka Hakes Noble tells a fantastic story about a field trip to the farm that goes awry when Jimmy introduces his boa to the farm animals. The narrator is very deadpan and matter of fact as she relates the story, but Steven Kellogg's artwork allows us to see the chaos that she never mentions. There's always something going on in the background and you've never seen more expressive animal faces.