Welcome to my website!
I’m Trinka Hakes Noble, author and illustrator of children’s books, but you can call me Trinka.
I love writing and drawing in my New Jersey studio, and have published 33 books over my long career, including several reading books. I’ve also traveled all over the United States, visiting schools, libraries and universities.
If you click on Books, you will see the covers of all these books plus many more. Don’t forget to visit my Bio page to learn how I grew up on a small farm in Michigan and why I became a children’s book writer, storyteller and illustrator.
Have fun visiting my website!
About Me My BooksMy Books
Just One Girl
Fourth-grader Jillian LOVES math! It’s her favorite subject and she is good at it too. But it’s the early 1970’s in America. When Jillian goes to sign her name on the Math Club sign-up sheet, she is met with snickering and jeers. A girl in the boys’ club? Maybe she doesn’t belong.
A Fist For Joe Louis and Me
Gordy and his family live in Detroit, Michigan, the heart of the United States automobile industry. Every Friday night after coming home from work at one of the plants, Gordy’s father teaches him how to box. Their hero is the famous American boxer Joe Louis, who grew up in Detroit.
Rettie and the Ragamuffin Parade
In 1918, a deadly influenza pandemic was sweeping across America. But in the tenement apartments of New York City’s Lower East Side, one young girl is determined to keep her family safe.
The New Jersey Reader
Poems, state symbols, hidden pictures and riddles engage the beginning readers, while prose, biographies, non-fiction, short stories and a reader theater challenge advanced readers.
The Pennsylvania Reader
The Pennsylvania Reader is patterned after early primers. Colorful illustrations accompany lively prose, poetry, games, and short stories; working together to entertain and educate.
Little New Jersey
Now for the young learner, board books for New Jersey and Pennsylvania! State birds, flowers, trees, and animals brought to board book form for the youngest book lover. Toddlers will… Read More
Little Pennsylvania
Now for the young learner, board books for New Jersey and Pennsylvania! State birds, flowers, trees, and animals brought to board book form for the youngest book lover. Toddlers will… Read More
One For All
Young readers are invited to take an armchair counting tour through the great state of Pennsylvania. Using state symbols, landmark events and famous people, numbers come to life in poetry and prose.
The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash
Young Jimmy decides to bring his pet boa constrictor on a school field trip to the farm. Bedlam erupts, though, when the constrictor decides to socialize with the barnyard animals.
Jimmy’s Boa Bounces Back
A pet boa constrictor wreaks havoc on a posh garden party.
Jimmy’s Boa and the Big Splash Birthday Bash
When Jimmy’s birthday rolls around, his mom decides to give him a goldfish and a party at SeaLand. Once they arrive, chaos reigns; Jimmy and his guests set off a tidal wave of crazy situations, carefully choreographed in text and art.
Jimmy’s Boa and the Bungee Jump Slam Dunk
When Jimmy refuses to dance with anybody but his pet boa constrictor, mayhem becomes the name of the game!
Apple Tree Christmas
Katrina loved the old apple tree. One special branch was Katrina’s own spot to sit and sketch to her heart’s content. She pretended it was her studio.
Miss Mary’s Christmas Mittens
Miss Mary is beloved by her students. She makes learning fun and easy, and her brightly colored knitwear brings a smile to people’s faces.
A Christmas Spider’s Miracle
Long ago in a faraway place there lived two mothers. And, although they may appear as different as night and day, these two mothers had more in common than would first seem.
The Orange Shoes
From Trinka Hakes Noble comes the story of a young girl who learns the most precious things in life are not measured in dollars and cents but by the warmth of one’s heart. And that truth, beauty, and love are in the eye of the beholder.
The People of Twelve Thousand Winters
A touching story of a Lenni Lenape boy standing on the cusp of childhood and moving into manhood just before his people’s lives are changed forever.
The Last Brother: A Civil War Tale
Gettysburg, July 1863: Union and Confederate troops arrive, ready to face off. The stage is set for what becomes one of the pivotal battles of the Civil War.
The Scarlet Stockings Spy
In the fall of 1777, Philadelphia sat twitching like a nervous mouse. The British were going to attack, but no one knew where or when.
The Legend of the Jersey Devil
The Pine Barrens in New Jersey has long been a place of mystery, with its dark pine groves, black swamps, and dank bogs. Reputed to be haunted, it’s an unsettling place. But of all the mysterious happenings and sights in the Pine Barrens, none are as intriguing as the Jersey Devil!
The Legend of the Cape May Diamond
Delving into the natural beauty of New Jersey’s famous coastline, Trinka has crafted a wondrous tale explaining the origin of the Cape May Diamond.
The Legend of Sea Glass
Long, long ago there was a time when mankind did not venture into the deep ocean waters. It was believed that the world was flat and to sail beyond the horizon meant falling off the edge of the earth. Yet, they were drawn to the ocean.
The Legend of Michigan
Long long ago, the ancient peoples of the forest gathered around their warm bright fires and told the tale of a time long past, when the land of Michigane was covered with thick heavy ice. They called it the Long Night of the North Wind.
American Adventures: The Battles
The Battles contains three stories focusing on key American wars: the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.
Lizzie and the Last Day of School
Lizzie loves school. She loves it almost more than anything. When the time comes for Lizzie to start first grade, she can’t wait.
Meanwhile Back at the Ranch
Trinka Hakes Noble’s deadpan tall tale has inspired a zany, on-target vision from Tony Ross, and the West has never been wackier or more fun.
The King’s Tea
The King’s tea had to be perfect. But sometimes things weren’t just right. So each morning the tea steward held his breath as the King took his first sip…
Hansy’s Mermaid
One spring day, after a storm, the Klumperty sisters find a mermaid stranded in a small inland pool and take her home. They hide the mermaid’s tail under a homespun dress and set about turning her into a good Dutch peasant. Only Hansy, the youngest child, sees the sadness in the mermaid’s eyes…
Karin’s Christmas Walk
For Karin, Uncle Jerry’s visit was what made Christmas really special. But it was already the day before Christmas, and he still hadn’t arrived.
The Witch Who Lost Her Shadow
A witch is convinced that no cat could take the place of her lost black cat Shadow, until she is pursued by a small striped kitten
Will You Take Me to Town on Strawberry Day?
There’s so much to see and taste and do on Strawberry Day in June – ride on a hay cart, play scissors-and-stone, drink rosy-hip tea!
The Dream Stealer
Gregory Maguire, the famed author of Wicked, spins an original tale drawing from the Russian folk stories about Vasilissa the Beautiful, Baba Yaga, and the Firebird.
Reading Suggestions
The four Jimmy’s Boa books, illustrated by Steven Kellogg, are lots of fun. They have been featured on PBS’s Reading Rainbow and published in seven different languages, so lots of kids all over the world are reading Jimmy’s Boa!
If you like history, check out The Scarlet Stockings Spy, The Last Brother, American Adventures – The Battles , Rettie and the Ragamuffin Parade, A Fist for Joe Louis and Me, The People of Twelve Thousand Winters, and the newest title, Just One Girl.
There are legends to read too, The Legend of Michigan, The Legend of the Cape May Diamond, The Legend of the Jersey Devil and the newest one The Legend of Sea Glass.
In The New Jersey Reader and The Pennsylvania Reader, you will learn all about these states. And for the very young, there are two board books, Little New Jersey and Little Pennsylvania.
Don’t forget the Holidays: Apple Tree Christmas, A Christmas Spider’s Miracle and Miss Mary’s Christmas Mittens. And October and Halloween is a great time to read The Orange Shoes!
About Me
I always wanted to be an artist…and it all started with the smell of crayons…
Our crayons were kept in an old cigar box. With seven kids, they were broken, chewed, and well used. You couldn’t even recognize the different colors, so you had to test each color by drawing on the lid. Oh, the smell when you opened that box … ahhh … and a nice sheet of white paper … and my life’s requirements were met!
Then, in second grade, you’ll never guess what happened …
When I was in fifth grade, something even more wonderful happened …
Can you imagine what unsual pets my family had on our farm? …
To find out, visit My Bio …
Welcome To
Trinka's Travels
Here you will find details about new events, information on the latest books and other notes from Trinka's Travels!