Ballet Shoes

Noel Streatfeild

Random House Children's Books, Nov 23, 1993 - Juvenile Fiction - 256 pages

Three orphan girls. A pair of pink slippers. A lifetime in the spotlight. Read the classic that has captivated generations! 

Pauline, Petrova, and Posy love their quiet life together. They are orphans who have been raised as sisters, and when their new family needs money, the girls want to help. They decide to join the Children's Academy of Dancing and Stage Training to earn their keep. Each girl works hard following her dream. Pauline is destined for the movies. Posy is a born dancer. And Petrova? She finds she'd rather be a pilot than perform a pirouette.

This beautiful children's classic is perfect for girls who love to dream about ballet, friendship, and finding their own special talents. Adult readers may remember them as the "Shoes" books from You've Got Mail!

Contents

• About the Three in This Book: 1
• GreatUncle Matthew and His Fossils: 3
• The Boarders: 13
• The Fossil Family Makes a Vow: 27
• Madame Fidolia and the Dancing Class: 41
• The Childrens Academy of Dancing: 52
• Petrova Has Influenza and Makes a Friend: 62
• Maeterlincks Blue Bird: 74
• The Matinée: 91
• Pauline Wants a New Frock: 101
• The Audition: 115
• Pauline Learns a Lesson: 131
• August: 141
• The Clothes Problem Again: 151
• A Midsummer Nights Dream: 162
• Independence at Fourteen: 176
• Richard the Third: 188
• Making a Picture: 202
• Posy: 213
• Gum Comes Back: 225

About the author

Noel Streatfeild was born in Sussex in 1895 and was one of three sisters. Although she was considered the plain one she ended up leading the most glamorous and exciting life! After working in munitions factories and canteens for the armed forces when WWI broke out, Noel followed her dream of being on stage and went to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, where she became a professional actress. She began writing children's books in 1931 and Ballet Shoes was published in 1936. She quickly became one of the most popular authors of her day. When she visited Puffin exhibitions, there were queues right out of the building and all the way down the Mall. She was one of the first winners of the Carnegie Medal and was awarded an OBE in 1983. Noel Streatfeild lived in London. She died in 1986.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Ballet Shoes; The Shoe Books
• Author: Noel Streatfeild
• Edition: illustrated, reprint
• Publisher: Random House Children's Books, 1993
• ISBN: 0679847596, 9780679847595
• Length: 256 pages
• Subjects: Juvenile Fiction / Family / Orphans & Foster Homes; Juvenile Fiction / Performing Arts / Dance; Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance