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Barbie
Barbie's ambition to develop her talent on the violin seems hopeless in the small English town where she lives until her cousin Simon comes up with a plan.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1952
26 people want to read
About the author
Kitty Barne
44 books6 followersMarion Catherine "Kitty" Barne was a British children's author and screenwriter, born and brought up in Sussex, England. She studied at the Royal College of Music. In 1912, she married Eric Streatfeild, a cousin of another children's author, Noel Streatfeild. During World War II, she was a member of the Women's Voluntary Service, responsible for helping children evacuated to Sussex.
Barne won the 1940 Carnegie Medal for her book Visitors from London, which tells the story of children evacuated to Sussex during World War II. She is best remembered today for her pony books Rosina Copper and its sequel Rosina and Son, about the true story of an Argentine polo pony mare. She also wrote some nonfiction books, including a biography of Elizabeth Fry (1950) and a history of the Girl Guides. Barne died in 1961.
Barne won the 1940 Carnegie Medal for her book Visitors from London, which tells the story of children evacuated to Sussex during World War II. She is best remembered today for her pony books Rosina Copper and its sequel Rosina and Son, about the true story of an Argentine polo pony mare. She also wrote some nonfiction books, including a biography of Elizabeth Fry (1950) and a history of the Girl Guides. Barne died in 1961.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 8, 2024
A joy to read!! I've only read one other book by Kitty Barne (Admiral's Walk–which I really liked), but this book was even better!
I've been on the lookout for affordable Kitty Barne vintage hardcover books, but I hadn't had much luck until I visited an antique shop in South Carolina (on a visit to see my in-laws). There it was...a vintage library copy (no dust jacket, but with an illustrated cover) for only $5. I was jumping for joy!
I absolutely love middle grade books that are about lovely families (especially in a vicarage setting in England) who care about each other and do all they can to make the dreams of their loved ones come true. In this case, it's about Laurel and Simon (along with Sporty/Mrs. Port and the Reverend) doing their very best to welcome their cousin Barbie to stay in their home while her mother is getting medical treatment and her father is performing music around the world.
They have many helpers (some unexpected!) along the way to try and make Barbie's violin-playing dreams come true. I don't want to say more, but I highly recommend reading this heartwarming and addictive story. Kitty Barne's writing is wonderful!!
My favorite characters are Simon, Mrs. Studholme and Laurel—especially when they work as a team!
If you love books by Noel Streatfeild, vicars and their families, music, coziness tea parties and supportive cousins, you will adore this book as much as I did. Definitely in my top favorite vintage middle grade books of all time. Can't wait to read it again!
I've been on the lookout for affordable Kitty Barne vintage hardcover books, but I hadn't had much luck until I visited an antique shop in South Carolina (on a visit to see my in-laws). There it was...a vintage library copy (no dust jacket, but with an illustrated cover) for only $5. I was jumping for joy!
I absolutely love middle grade books that are about lovely families (especially in a vicarage setting in England) who care about each other and do all they can to make the dreams of their loved ones come true. In this case, it's about Laurel and Simon (along with Sporty/Mrs. Port and the Reverend) doing their very best to welcome their cousin Barbie to stay in their home while her mother is getting medical treatment and her father is performing music around the world.
They have many helpers (some unexpected!) along the way to try and make Barbie's violin-playing dreams come true. I don't want to say more, but I highly recommend reading this heartwarming and addictive story. Kitty Barne's writing is wonderful!!
My favorite characters are Simon, Mrs. Studholme and Laurel—especially when they work as a team!
If you love books by Noel Streatfeild, vicars and their families, music, coziness tea parties and supportive cousins, you will adore this book as much as I did. Definitely in my top favorite vintage middle grade books of all time. Can't wait to read it again!
December 3, 2010
Barbie is an amazing young violin prodigy who lives with Laurel and her family. Laurel feels inferior to her talented friend, and is surprised to find that Barbie herself has lots of insecurities.
September 13, 2011
I read this a few years ago and don't really remember the end, only I was starting violin at that point, and playing Kreutzer, so I thought I related. I think it was pretty good.
August 8, 2022
A bit choppy and disjointed; good premise, just not as well executed as she managed in Bracken, My Dog
February 14, 2011
Odd. Love the music and the family (so far, so Noel Streatfeild) but the first person telling by a "Watson" figure who doesn't "get" music is odd in this context. Barbie, like Posy in NS's "Ballet Shoes" wants to study with a specific master, but unlike Posy doesn't force Master's hand herself. Must say Mrs Port/Sporty took me aback a bit. Father is a gentle vicar and is terrified of losing Mrs Port (a legacy from his late wife). He says she "loves you really" to his children, but she appears to be unbalanced. Doesn't he think a more stable mother figure would be better?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2016
Barbie is a young violin prodigy raised in Austria who comes to live with her cousins Laurel and Simon in England when her mother enters a sanatorium, and her father embarks on a round the world conducting tour. Laurel narrates the story of Barbie's adjustment to life in a rectory in a quiet village, and her unhappiness at not having proper lessons. For most of the book very little happens. There was nothing terrible about the story, but I found it a chore to finish.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews