Ballet Shoes (BBC Children's Classics)

A lovely, lovely book. Funny, sad, informative - it's got the lot. And a mildly happy ending - one gets the feeling that the end is only the beginning. In fact the Fossil sister make an appearance in a later book of Noel Streatfeild's. I don't know how the training the girls received would stand up to today's stage schools - Pop Idol and X Factor it ain't, but it's a perennial favourite and I won't lend my battered copy to anybody, Now it's on my Kindle so I've got it for good. I read this book when I was 7, and again at 15, and 25, and 30 - and now that I'm 54 (+VAT) I'm reading it again. It's the kind of book you want to curl up with on a wet afternoon, or after a lousy day at work when everything has gone wrong. Pure escapism, and great fun. If you enjoyed it, try White Boots and Wintle's Wonders. Every bit as good.

I originally read this story when I was around eight and it's one of those childhood books that I have been meaning to get hold of again and add to my library and I am so glad that I did. They recently did a television adaption of the book which although brilliant just doesn't compare to the book. A timeless story that I have once again really enjoyed reading. The story is about the three Fossil sisters Pauline, Petrova and Posy and how they became to be sisters as they were adopted by their Great Uncle Matthew on his travels otherwise know as GUM. The name Fossil is one they picked themselves and they vow to get into the history books as the name is their very own and no one can say it's because of their ancestors. A really really charming and lovely book that took me back to reading under the duvet with my torch when I was meant to be asleep!

I recently read this to my twin ten year old daughters as the book was given to me as a child by my great aunt in the 1970's and I regret to say, I never read it. We all loved it. The language used, currency and education received by the 3 sisters needed some explanation to my daughters but they hung on every description of this bygone era. It seemed a less complicated time where children were closer to nature, camping and picnics were so much more fun and delicious and the moods and emotions of the 3 very unique sisters, still easy to relate to. We learned about Shakespeare plays and are now reading a children's version of A Mid Summer Night's Dream. My girls enjoyed the movie but the book far more so.

Wonderful story arrived on time and in excellent condition

Having read Ballet Shoes as a child for more times than I could count I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone who knows children between the ages of 9 and 14. It is really a book for girls of that age and I have been reading it taking turns with my grand-daughter - who has absolutely loved it to my great delight.

Beautiful book. I bought this to read with my 6 year old daughter.

This is a book about three orphan sisters; Pauline, Petrova and Posy. They are taken in by Great-Uncle Matthew, or Gum for short. and his Niece, Sylvia, looks after them. The three girls attend a dance class where Madame Fidiola prepares them for a life on the stage. I found myself entertained throughout the entire story and wasn't once bored. It is a very light and happy read and I think Noel Streatfeild wrote this story beautifully. I think any girl from ages 7-14 would enjoy this book. Five stars

This was one of my favourite books when I was a child , but re-reading it many years later with a grandchild, I have decided that it is rather dated for today's child .It contains quite old fashioned vocabulary such as 'gramophone' and talks about old money such as shillings .The treatment of the children in the book is somewhat Victorian. It is about three adopted children , and their struggles to achieve careers on the stage or in ballet .The title 'Ballet shoes ' is relevant to the youngest , Posy, who is the only one to achieve major success as she is taken on to train as a ballet dancer by a famous person and you assume she will become professional. The educational standard of the children in the book is way above the dumbed- down standards of today -they speak French , know about opera, ballets and Shakespeare plays ! and that is at primary school age .Only very bright or well-educated children today will keep up .However , Noel Streatfield is a gifted writer adn the book has human interest and universal appeal in the sense that it is about children growing up and making their way in life .

Un livre qui reste pour un public plutôt jeune mais trés bon livre pour une première lecture en anglais car la lecture reste simple et fluide, de plus le livre n'est pas très long ! j'ai réussi à le lire en une après midi sans sortir une seule fois le dictionnaire.

Tenía curiosidad por este libro, y en particular para una niña de 10 años, después de leer reseñas en inglés muy positivas y después de que se mencionara en la película "Tienes un e-mail" con Tom Hanks y Meg Ryan. Soy bilingüe y lo he leído con interés, pero es bastante antiguo y habla mucho del sistema inglés educativo y en particular de academias de ballet y teatro. A mí que me interesan estas curiosidades, me gustó, pero a mi hija le está costando bastante no porque no tenga el nivel de inglés, sino porque no entiende el contexto y el vocabulario técnico. Respecto al vendedor, sabíamos que era un libro de segunda mano y que nos podía llegar algo gastado y marcado, pero nos ha dado bastante pena que tuviese una marca grande de rotulador precisamente en la portada.

The book was truly amazing. I read the book over and over and enjoyed it more each time, it is also reasonably priced. I'm going to say this is one of my favorite books of all time.

“Making your name worthwhile is a very nice thing to do; it means you must have given distinguished service to your country in some way.” —Noel Streatfeild, Ballet Shoes It all begins with a pair of shoes! Ballet Shoes, by Noel Streatfeild (1895-1986), was originally published in 1936, the first of what have become known as the popular “shoe books” she wrote. Streatfeild was surprised by its popularity and said it literally rolled off her pen as she wrote. The first edition of Ballet Shoes was illustrated by the author’s older sister, Ruth Gervis, and has become a timeless classic—a beloved children’s chapter book written for ages 8-12, although enjoyed by all. Two movies were made from Ballet Shoes, one in 1975 and one after the author’s death in 2007. Ballet Shoes is a magical tale of joy and wow. It’s a story about the unique childhood of three orphans, growing up as sisters with different origins, looks, and gifts, who discover how they can contribute to the world. The book is loosely based on the personalities of the author and two of her sisters and contains some serious girl power!! It will make you chuckle and smile, while it’s message is a testament that with enough hard work and determination, even the most impossible dreams can come true! You’ll be thinking about it long after the last page has been turned!! “[Anything) to do with happiness—it means hard work.” —Noel Streatfeild, Ballet Shoes

So happy to have found this book which was a childhood favourite. Arrived so promptly - great service.