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Ballet Shoes
(Shoes #1)
by
Hardcover, 242 pages
Published
2010
by Orion Children's Books
(first published 1936)
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Popular Answered Questions
Janet Male
I adored it at a similar age. It was one of my favourite childhood books.
Laceymaxwell
Definitely too old. It would be 7 and up I think.
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of Ballet Shoes
Remember the scene in "You've Got Mail" where Colleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) is sitting in the children's section of the newly-opened Foxx Books, and a customer comes in looking for the "Shoes" books by Noel Streatfield? The clerk has clearly never heard of them, but Colleen has, and she tells the customer that "The Ballet Shoes" is definitely the one she should start with...
This is that book.
In the twenty-first century, a particularly cynical reader might accuse the book of containing certain tropes ...more
This is that book.
In the twenty-first century, a particularly cynical reader might accuse the book of containing certain tropes ...more
5 Words: Classic, Christmas, talent, family, dance.
This is one of my FAVOURITE books ever. I read it year on year, often more than once, and I never get bored. How could I?
Ballet Shoes follows the Fossil sisters and their journey through life as they try to get their name into the history books because of who they are.
It's a book that always makes me smile, that could cheer me up on the most miserable of days. And it has this kick-ass thread of girl-power throughout, a discreet hint of feminism ...more
This is one of my FAVOURITE books ever. I read it year on year, often more than once, and I never get bored. How could I?
Ballet Shoes follows the Fossil sisters and their journey through life as they try to get their name into the history books because of who they are.
It's a book that always makes me smile, that could cheer me up on the most miserable of days. And it has this kick-ass thread of girl-power throughout, a discreet hint of feminism ...more
Jul 14, 2008
Kressel Housman
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
girls who love dancing
The story of Pauline, Petrova, and Posy will be in my heart for life, even though I must confess that was introduced to these charming and unforgettable characters from the 1975 British television version. That kind of ruined me for the book; all I'd do was nosh through my favorite scenes. Only when I was in my 20's did I read it cover to cover when I introduced its pleasures to a girl I was tutoring.
Pauline, Petrova, and Posy are three adopted girls being raised in London in the 1930's. Becaus ...more
Pauline, Petrova, and Posy are three adopted girls being raised in London in the 1930's. Becaus ...more
I had two career goals as a little girl--I would be a ballerina...or a librarian, heh.
Well I started ballet at three and continued through college, but alas never made it to the big stage. I am a librarian though so go figure.
I loved these books so much as a child. All of her series that I read I should say, but especially ballet shoes. This is a fascinating vanished world.
Well I started ballet at three and continued through college, but alas never made it to the big stage. I am a librarian though so go figure.
I loved these books so much as a child. All of her series that I read I should say, but especially ballet shoes. This is a fascinating vanished world.
Thank you, Kathleen Kelly, for alerting me to the existence of this book. This was really cute and heartwarming.
And I think it's probably time I watch You've Got Mail again. ...more
And I think it's probably time I watch You've Got Mail again. ...more
This is probably the first book ever where I cannot say 'The book is better' straight away. First of all, it is clear that the book is for children and the film is for the grown ups. But the beauty remains in both.
Pauline, Petrova and Posy are sister by 'accident' as they were all adopted by a wealthy and nice uncle Matthew (whom they called Gum, because Great Uncle Matthew. G.U.M.). After he brought the youngest Posy home, though, he disappeared. There was enough money in the bank for a couple ...more
Pauline, Petrova and Posy are sister by 'accident' as they were all adopted by a wealthy and nice uncle Matthew (whom they called Gum, because Great Uncle Matthew. G.U.M.). After he brought the youngest Posy home, though, he disappeared. There was enough money in the bank for a couple ...more
Professor Mathew Brown or Great Uncle Mathew or Gum, lives with his niece Sylvia and her nurse Nana, and from time to time takes off on expeditions from where he brings back fossils, adding to a huge collection which has to be thinned down from time to time. One day he decides to travel by sea rather than land, and from three of these voyages brings back three little babies, either orphaned or whose parents are unable to take care of them, and these three little girls are Pauline, Petrova, and P
...more
A wonderful reread of a childhood favourite.
Just perfect!
Just perfect!
I first came across this author when Noel Streatfeild was mentioned in one of my all-time favourite movies, You've Got Mail. It prompted me to get at least two books (this one and the one I read last year). Then, I discovered that I had actually already known this story as I had seen a movie adaptation with a young Emma Watson some years ago. Now, I'm correcting the error of not having read the source material yet.
The story is that of three young girls, a few years apart, who have been taken in ...more
The story is that of three young girls, a few years apart, who have been taken in ...more
When I was in my first grade, a teacher took our class to the children's library next to school to be registered. I couldn't believe so many books could exist in just one place. After 2-3 years it turned out that this was not enough, so I got my card in the adults' library next to mine and, unfortunately, my old librarian got offended.
This teacher discovered a totally new world to me. I would be before the doors at 8 am waiting for it to open at 9 or wait for about 2 hours and find out it was Su ...more
This teacher discovered a totally new world to me. I would be before the doors at 8 am waiting for it to open at 9 or wait for about 2 hours and find out it was Su ...more
Reading this just made me happy. Ridiculous, but true.
It's really a lovely book, with strong, sensible characters. ...more
It's really a lovely book, with strong, sensible characters. ...more
I'm fond of all Noel Streatfeild's books, but this one, being the first I read, has a special place in my heart. It introduces Pauline, Petrova, and Posy Fossil, orphans who are adopted by an eccentric geologist who then disappears for years, leaving the girls in the care of his niece Sylvia and her old nanny, Nana. When the money he left Sylvia runs out, they decide to send the girls to stage school.
The story and characters are lively and memorable, and Streatfeild describes the girls' trainin ...more
The story and characters are lively and memorable, and Streatfeild describes the girls' trainin ...more
One of my two favorite of Streatfield's "Shoes" books. A children's novel from the 1930s about three adopted sisters, poor but talented, who attend a dance and stage school in London. They have a guardian who turns her home into a boarding house to make a living, and most of the other characters live there.
...more
Mar 16, 2020
Abigail
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Readers Who Enjoy Orphan Stories, Career Novels and/or Family Stories
Originally published in 1936, this first "Shoes" book by acclaimed British children's author Noel Streafeild - the "Shoes" books are less of a series than a collection of wonderful children's novels, some related, some not, many of which were not "shoes" books at all, in their original British forms (
Theater Shoes
was originally
Curtain Up
,
Dancing Shoes
was Wintle's Wonders,
Skating Shoes
was
White Boots
, and so on) - is one that I have long been wanting to read. Thankfully,
...more
I picked this up because it was my partner’s favourite book as a child, and I can see why.
It’s a very sweet tale. Not enough drama, tension and danger for my past and younger self, but a sweet and uplifting book, that I think many children would still appreciate these days.
Definitely a book for younger readers and an uplifting one at that.
It’s a very sweet tale. Not enough drama, tension and danger for my past and younger self, but a sweet and uplifting book, that I think many children would still appreciate these days.
Definitely a book for younger readers and an uplifting one at that.
Feb 28, 2020
Erica
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-read-in-2020,
audiobook
Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) in You've Got Mail made me read it. 🤣
...more
I heartily recommend this for little girls of reading age, especially those who like dance. There are numerous other books...Theater Shoes, Dancing shoes, Skating shoes, and more. Read Ballet before Theater. Enjoy with your girls.....This is the books that Meg Ryan mentions in the movie "You've Got Mail"
...more
...more
Aww man. I always feel like crying when I finish this book.
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
3.5 stars. Such a delight! I enjoyed seeing how this simple tale of three adopted sisters would unfold.
Every child should have the joy of reading this book. I am so sad that most of her books are out of print and very difficult to find. I'm very glad that this one and a couple others are available. This book is charming and wholesome and funny and full of good lessons for young children. I would buy every single Streatfeild Book that came into print. And I would buy multiple copies so that my children could have their own sets.
...more
I found this story quite dull. Not much is happening expect they go to different classes and get more and more successful in their way. That the children could start earning money with 12 years then is crazy. I don't know if I would have liked it more in book form (and unabridged) - now I realise I've seen the adaption with Emma Watson many years ago - checking imdb... 6/10 - well probably the story can't hold my attention in whatever form.
...more
When I was in my first grade, a teacher took our class to the children's library next to school to be registered. I couldn't believe so many books could exist in just one place. After 2-3 years it turned out that this was not enough, so I got my card in the adults' library next to mine and, unfortunately, my old librarian got offended.
This teacher discovered a totally new world to me. I would be before the doors at 8 am waiting for it to open at 9 or wait for about 2 hours and find out it was Su ...more
This teacher discovered a totally new world to me. I would be before the doors at 8 am waiting for it to open at 9 or wait for about 2 hours and find out it was Su ...more
I needed to listen to something quick and chose this mostly because there’s a character named Sylvia in it. It was pleasant with likable characters and a lovely little family. There were some fat phobic parts I could have lived without. And it’s so strange to read about little kids having to work to keep the family afloat! But the time period makes sense of that and it feels pretty relatable to read about a family struggling financially throughout the novel. Heck, I might even pick up the sequel
...more
3.5 🤩
Posy, Pauline, Petrova, Nana and all the rest of the household are very attaching characters!
This was a lovely reading, funny and with a great message.
"We three Fossils,’ she said in a church voice, ‘vow to try and put our names in history books because it’s our very own and nobody can say it’s because of our grandfathers." ...more
Posy, Pauline, Petrova, Nana and all the rest of the household are very attaching characters!
This was a lovely reading, funny and with a great message.
"We three Fossils,’ she said in a church voice, ‘vow to try and put our names in history books because it’s our very own and nobody can say it’s because of our grandfathers." ...more
Ballet Shoes is one of those books I wish I'd been able to read as a child. I would have loved to experience the lives of the Fossil girls through a child's eyes, and to have grown up with them.
Noel Streatfeild's beautiful book bewitched me with its simplicity, charm and humour. I was drawn in by the lives of Pauline, Petrova and Posy, empathising with their struggles as they grew up; laughing and crying with them over their successes and failures. Like the best children's stories, even though i ...more
Noel Streatfeild's beautiful book bewitched me with its simplicity, charm and humour. I was drawn in by the lives of Pauline, Petrova and Posy, empathising with their struggles as they grew up; laughing and crying with them over their successes and failures. Like the best children's stories, even though i ...more
Apr 12, 2014
Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
children
It's not great fiction. It's not classic children's fiction. But it wasn't meant to be, not even at the time. It's meant to be fantasy wish fulfillment for little girls, who like the three Fossil sisters, dream of being in the history books--and not because of their grandfathers.
For any little girl who has dreamed of leaving her family behind and living in a rambling old house full of adults who are not her parents, and enjoy spoiling you just a bit. For any little girl who has dreamed of ditchi ...more
For any little girl who has dreamed of leaving her family behind and living in a rambling old house full of adults who are not her parents, and enjoy spoiling you just a bit. For any little girl who has dreamed of ditchi ...more
I loved this book. When I bought a second hand Portuguese version I didn't know it was the one mentioned in the iconic scene in "you've got mail".. It's such a lovely coulerful story. Wich I liked most was the fact that a group of completely strangers bounded to take care of the education of three little orphan girls. It was a very modern and real family. Also I don't understand why some people find it strange for children to work at the stage to help the family. Come on... They had so much heal
...more
Perfect for Christmas, not convinced by the narrator.
I'm sorry, Susann, but this will be my only Shoes book.
I found it sweet but unsatisfying. I just couldn't care about anyone but Petrova, and even she was a little marshmallow-y. There was never any real doubt about how it would end, or if the latest character would be interested in helping the girls or even if one or another would get any given part. All the self-sacrificing was... again, the only word I keep coming up with for this book is sweet. Sweet like white sugar, sweet like cotton candy, ...more
I found it sweet but unsatisfying. I just couldn't care about anyone but Petrova, and even she was a little marshmallow-y. There was never any real doubt about how it would end, or if the latest character would be interested in helping the girls or even if one or another would get any given part. All the self-sacrificing was... again, the only word I keep coming up with for this book is sweet. Sweet like white sugar, sweet like cotton candy, ...more
Oct 17, 2007
Kathryn
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
friends-of-my-youth,
very-favorites
Such a sweet, cozy book! If you didn't have a chance to love this book in your childhood, be sure to check it out now. Especially if you ever dreamed of becoming a ballerina!
...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1001 Children's B...: Ballet Shoes | 9 | 93 | Aug 09, 2020 07:05AM | |
| What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Older book about 3 orphaned sisters named after flowers who go to live with a charming old man who sponsors their talents (acting, ballet, & maybe singing). [s] | 5 | 48 | Jul 26, 2020 08:04PM | |
| Is it a wise decision to wear formal shoes for men to the wedding? | 1 | 1 | Jun 04, 2020 04:00AM | |
| You know, Great Uncle Matthew is kind of an asshole. | 2 | 7 | Sep 26, 2018 12:24PM | |
| What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Children's. Underprivileged girl receives ballet slippers to pursue her dream. [s] | 6 | 46 | Jun 28, 2017 07:23PM | |
| Cover | 7 | 40 | May 04, 2017 05:59PM |
Readers also enjoyed
Mary Noel Streatfeild, known as Noel Streatfeild, was an author best known and loved for her children's books, including Ballet Shoes and Circus Shoes. She was born on Christmas Eve, 1895, the daughter of William Champion Streatfeild and Janet Venn and the second of six children to be born to the couple. Sister Ruth was the oldest, after Noel came Barbara, William ('Bill'), Joyce (who died of TB p
...more
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