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Shoes #2
Tennis Shoes
All the Heath children become interested in tennis and lazy Nicky turns out to be the most talented, so the family tries to get her to enter a tennis championship. The story of a doctor's family, limited in funds, but with boundless ambition. The twins are launched by their grandfather as tennis players, only to find that the trying younger sister has the makings of a champion. So the whole family sets to work to make a tennis player of her and to reduce her ego.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1937
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1190 people want to read
About the author
Noel Streatfeild
164 books614 followersMary 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 also wrote romances under the pseudonym
Susan Scarlett
.
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 prior to her second birthday) and Richenda. Ruth and Noel attended Hastings and St. Leonard's Ladies' College in 1910. As an adult, she began theater work, and spent approximately 10 years in the theater.
During the Great War, in 1915 Noel worked first as a volunteer in a soldier's hospital kitchen near Eastbourne Vicarage and later produced two plays with her sister Ruth. When things took a turn for the worse on the Front in 1916 she moved to London and obtained a job making munitions in Woolwich Arsenal. At the end of the war in January 1919, Noel enrolled at the Academy of Dramatic Art (later Royal Academy) in London.
In 1930, she began writing her first adult novel, The Whicharts, published in 1931. In June 1932, she was elected to membership of PEN. Early in 1936, Mabel Carey, children's editor of J. M. Dent and Sons, asks Noel to write a children's story about the theatre, which led to Noel completing Ballet Shoes in mid-1936. In 28 September 1936, when Ballet Shoes was published, it became an immediate best seller.
According to Angela Bull, Ballet Shoes was a reworked version of The Whicharts. Elder sister Ruth Gervis illustrated the book, which was published on the 28th September, 1936. At the time, the plot and general 'attitude' of the book was highly original, and destined to provide an outline for countless other ballet books down the years until this day. The first known book to be set at a stage school, the first ballet story to be set in London, the first to feature upper middle class society, the first to show the limits of amateurism and possibly the first to show children as self-reliant, able to survive without running to grownups when things went wrong.
In 1937, Noel traveled with Bertram Mills Circus to research The Circus is Coming (also known as Circus Shoes). She won the Carnegie gold medal in February 1939 for this book. In 1940, World War II began, and Noel began war-related work from 1940-1945. During this time, she wrote four adult novels, five children's books, nine romances, and innumerable articles and short stories. On May 10th, 1941, her flat was destroyed by a bomb. Shortly after WWII is over, in 1947, Noel traveled to America to research film studios for her book The Painted Garden. In 1949, she began delivering lectures on children's books. Between 1949 and 1953, her plays, The Bell Family radio serials played on the Children's Hour and were frequently voted top play of the year.
Early in 1960s, she decided to stop writing adult novels, but did write some autobiographical novels, such as A Vicarage Family in 1963. She also had written 12 romance novels under the pen name "Susan Scarlett." Her children's books number at least 58 titles. From July to December 1979, she suffered a series of small strokes and moved into a nursing home. In 1983, she received the honor Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). On 11 September 1986, she passed away in a nursing home.
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 prior to her second birthday) and Richenda. Ruth and Noel attended Hastings and St. Leonard's Ladies' College in 1910. As an adult, she began theater work, and spent approximately 10 years in the theater.
During the Great War, in 1915 Noel worked first as a volunteer in a soldier's hospital kitchen near Eastbourne Vicarage and later produced two plays with her sister Ruth. When things took a turn for the worse on the Front in 1916 she moved to London and obtained a job making munitions in Woolwich Arsenal. At the end of the war in January 1919, Noel enrolled at the Academy of Dramatic Art (later Royal Academy) in London.
In 1930, she began writing her first adult novel, The Whicharts, published in 1931. In June 1932, she was elected to membership of PEN. Early in 1936, Mabel Carey, children's editor of J. M. Dent and Sons, asks Noel to write a children's story about the theatre, which led to Noel completing Ballet Shoes in mid-1936. In 28 September 1936, when Ballet Shoes was published, it became an immediate best seller.
According to Angela Bull, Ballet Shoes was a reworked version of The Whicharts. Elder sister Ruth Gervis illustrated the book, which was published on the 28th September, 1936. At the time, the plot and general 'attitude' of the book was highly original, and destined to provide an outline for countless other ballet books down the years until this day. The first known book to be set at a stage school, the first ballet story to be set in London, the first to feature upper middle class society, the first to show the limits of amateurism and possibly the first to show children as self-reliant, able to survive without running to grownups when things went wrong.
In 1937, Noel traveled with Bertram Mills Circus to research The Circus is Coming (also known as Circus Shoes). She won the Carnegie gold medal in February 1939 for this book. In 1940, World War II began, and Noel began war-related work from 1940-1945. During this time, she wrote four adult novels, five children's books, nine romances, and innumerable articles and short stories. On May 10th, 1941, her flat was destroyed by a bomb. Shortly after WWII is over, in 1947, Noel traveled to America to research film studios for her book The Painted Garden. In 1949, she began delivering lectures on children's books. Between 1949 and 1953, her plays, The Bell Family radio serials played on the Children's Hour and were frequently voted top play of the year.
Early in 1960s, she decided to stop writing adult novels, but did write some autobiographical novels, such as A Vicarage Family in 1963. She also had written 12 romance novels under the pen name "Susan Scarlett." Her children's books number at least 58 titles. From July to December 1979, she suffered a series of small strokes and moved into a nursing home. In 1983, she received the honor Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). On 11 September 1986, she passed away in a nursing home.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
May 10, 2017
5 Words: Family, tennis, pressure, money, talent.
I am so glad that as I child I picked up Ballet Shoes and not this, because otherwise I honestly wouldn't have bothered with any of the author's other books. Which is a huge shame, as Ballet Shoes is one of my all time favourite books and I reread it often.
It's still charming and sweet but I expected more.
I am so glad that as I child I picked up Ballet Shoes and not this, because otherwise I honestly wouldn't have bothered with any of the author's other books. Which is a huge shame, as Ballet Shoes is one of my all time favourite books and I reread it often.
It's still charming and sweet but I expected more.
September 10, 2016
Streatfeild season comes when you least expect it. For me, it came earlier this week with the sight of Tennis Shoes on a library trolley, and then, as I read it and the evenings started to twist around the end of Summer and things like Yorkshire puddings and joints of beef found their way into the fridge, I realised that it was most definitely Streatfeild season and it was good. It was time for the rich books, the books of tumultous family and bright, hard-working children that don't jib and don't jibe but just do , yet never, somehow, irritate.
I'd never read Tennis Shoes before. It is ... very .... tennisy. But! It is also rather lovely. It's a madly readable book written in that relaxed, rich style of Streatfeild. The family is immense, close, loving, annoying, and the children are delights. There's always a part of me that loves the complex child in these stories because they are, so often, the richest of characters. Nicky, here, is spectacularly irritating but also spectacularly brilliant. The contradiction of character. Streatfeild revels in it. There's much here in the family and sibling dynamics that reminded me of A Vicarage Family; both books have this kind of delightful rich, direct tone about them.
The big difficulty about Tennis Shoes comes with its structure. It finishes far too soon and almost offhandedly. There's a great, immense book here that could have been something rather brilliant, I suspect, but we only get to see a fragment of it. It's a good fragment, and a delightful read, yet it's a fragment shorn from something bigger. There's more of a story, and the ending is too soon. But then, I suppose with Streatfeild, it always sort of is.
I'd never read Tennis Shoes before. It is ... very .... tennisy. But! It is also rather lovely. It's a madly readable book written in that relaxed, rich style of Streatfeild. The family is immense, close, loving, annoying, and the children are delights. There's always a part of me that loves the complex child in these stories because they are, so often, the richest of characters. Nicky, here, is spectacularly irritating but also spectacularly brilliant. The contradiction of character. Streatfeild revels in it. There's much here in the family and sibling dynamics that reminded me of A Vicarage Family; both books have this kind of delightful rich, direct tone about them.
The big difficulty about Tennis Shoes comes with its structure. It finishes far too soon and almost offhandedly. There's a great, immense book here that could have been something rather brilliant, I suspect, but we only get to see a fragment of it. It's a good fragment, and a delightful read, yet it's a fragment shorn from something bigger. There's more of a story, and the ending is too soon. But then, I suppose with Streatfeild, it always sort of is.
July 13, 2015
The writing is, frankly, pretty awful, but Nicky is a gift:
There are a few other great human moments, too, mostly with Susan and Nicky. This is a slight but very entertaining book.
In spite of her triumph, Nicky got into bed feeling cross. There was absolutely nobody to jump about and be pleased with. "Oh well," she thought, tucking in her back, "if nobody else is pleased, I am." She settled down for the night. "Good night, Nicky, dear. Many congratulations."
There are a few other great human moments, too, mostly with Susan and Nicky. This is a slight but very entertaining book.
July 28, 2019
I do love the charming style of Noel Streatfeild. This Shoes installment was not as endearing as "Ballet Shoes," but did have its own redeeming properties. The household staff at the Heath home did an admirable job in contributing to the upbringing of the children. I especially loved the things Annie would teach the kids in the kitchen from her circus days. Nikky was a bit difficult to swallow, but she was most certainly a vehicle for teaching about some essential character traits. Looking forward to moving onto "Circus Shoes."
July 1, 2018
Hmm, an interesting one, a Streatfeild about SPORTS, gasp! The pacing didn't quite work and I do think the family treated Nicky rather unfairly at times.
But enjoyable enough overall.
But enjoyable enough overall.
September 24, 2019
Booklovers everywhere have all drooled over the little book shop Kathleen Kelly owned in the delightful movie, You've Got Mail. We've relished the thought of working among such an atmosphere of twinkle lights and children's literature. And what a selection she had too. Whoever was in charge of choosing the books to be highlighted in the movie did a pretty top-notch job! Have you read them all? Notable mentions are The Betsy-Tacy books and The Shoe Series.
"Noel Streatfeild wrote Ballet Shoes and Skating Shoes and Theatre Shoes and Dancing Shoes. I’d start with Ballet Shoes first; it’s my favorite. Although Skating Shoes is completely wonderful—but it’s out of print." —Kathleen Kelly, You’ve Got Mail
If you haven't read this fun series, it's about time you did. Ballet Shoes probably should be read first but the stories are all pretty individual, with different characters in each; the only thing linking them are "shoes" and the characters in the first book being referenced once or twice in a couple other titles. So if you or your child has a favorite recreation and there's a shoe for it, you'd be fine just starting with the one you're excited about the most.
Enjoy!
Ages: 8 - 14
Cleanliness: One of the main characters is not a well-behaved child. She is selfish, cheats and manipulates to get her way. I wish I could say she learned her lesson and changed but it was hardly a satisfactory change at the end as she was still commenting negatively about the punishment she had received earlier. If you can get past her and just tell your kids she's the example of a brat, you can like this book too. The word "stupid" is used. Sherry is mentioned.
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
Visit my website!
"Noel Streatfeild wrote Ballet Shoes and Skating Shoes and Theatre Shoes and Dancing Shoes. I’d start with Ballet Shoes first; it’s my favorite. Although Skating Shoes is completely wonderful—but it’s out of print." —Kathleen Kelly, You’ve Got Mail
If you haven't read this fun series, it's about time you did. Ballet Shoes probably should be read first but the stories are all pretty individual, with different characters in each; the only thing linking them are "shoes" and the characters in the first book being referenced once or twice in a couple other titles. So if you or your child has a favorite recreation and there's a shoe for it, you'd be fine just starting with the one you're excited about the most.
Enjoy!
Ages: 8 - 14
Cleanliness: One of the main characters is not a well-behaved child. She is selfish, cheats and manipulates to get her way. I wish I could say she learned her lesson and changed but it was hardly a satisfactory change at the end as she was still commenting negatively about the punishment she had received earlier. If you can get past her and just tell your kids she's the example of a brat, you can like this book too. The word "stupid" is used. Sherry is mentioned.
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
Visit my website!
September 11, 2019
The Shoes books absolutely delighted me when I was a child, so revisiting this book again as an adult was a treat. This particular story follows the story of four children who are pushed somewhat into tennis, which they're agreeable enough about. Of course one child (as per the series guidelines) has to excel, though they all discover new things about themselves in the pursuit of the game.
Loved the series, loved the time period and a chance to visit England again during the mid 20th century, which is a nice treat. I still love these books, even if this one did sometimes lag a little bit, as the characters are so incredibly strong and interesting. Overall, I'm glad I read this again, though perhaps with a little less of the starry-eyed wonder than I did back when I was 11. :)
Loved the series, loved the time period and a chance to visit England again during the mid 20th century, which is a nice treat. I still love these books, even if this one did sometimes lag a little bit, as the characters are so incredibly strong and interesting. Overall, I'm glad I read this again, though perhaps with a little less of the starry-eyed wonder than I did back when I was 11. :)
May 12, 2008
Not only do the lucky kids in this book have red hair, they also possess a natural talent for tennis. Gosh, but I was an envious child!
May 8, 2018
I hate this entire family except for Nicky, and I hope they die.
July 16, 2013
A Noel Streatfeild I never read as a child! First time reading it now - I have The Circus is Coming new to read as well, hooray :)
I enjoyed this, but I didn't love it quite as much as her dancing books. Maybe also it's me coming to this fresh as an adult and not reading it with childhood nostalgia too, but I just kept noticing very strongly how much the children were pushed into doing tennis. It was like their father and grandfather decided they would all be fabulous tennis players and that was that. Suddenly that's what all the spare money is for, and there are so many lessons and tournaments and everything, and it was so much more than just a little hobby. And then when Nicky proved to be good - oh my, the poor thing! When everyone decided SHE was the one to pin all their hopes on, and they kept making her do all those concentration exercises, and if she was just sitting around reading they'd tell her to get up and practice her backhand or whatever... just, too much.
Also, her punishment for selling the umbrellas to the tin peddler - no presents for her next TWO birthdays AND next two Christmases - I'm sorry but that's just obscene! The next birthday, sure... but to stretch out a punishment for so long just seems too unfair :( I also felt the family were a little unfair when they walked out on her having her tantrum on the court and just went home, leaving this 11-year-old to get home by herself. And then the same again after the burglar* incident. Damn that family went in for harsh punishments. How about doing the walking off and not watching the rest of her set part, but maybe waiting somewhere at the court for her? Only fiction, only fiction, I know!
*
I enjoyed this, but I didn't love it quite as much as her dancing books. Maybe also it's me coming to this fresh as an adult and not reading it with childhood nostalgia too, but I just kept noticing very strongly how much the children were pushed into doing tennis. It was like their father and grandfather decided they would all be fabulous tennis players and that was that. Suddenly that's what all the spare money is for, and there are so many lessons and tournaments and everything, and it was so much more than just a little hobby. And then when Nicky proved to be good - oh my, the poor thing! When everyone decided SHE was the one to pin all their hopes on, and they kept making her do all those concentration exercises, and if she was just sitting around reading they'd tell her to get up and practice her backhand or whatever... just, too much.
Also, her punishment for selling the umbrellas to the tin peddler - no presents for her next TWO birthdays AND next two Christmases - I'm sorry but that's just obscene! The next birthday, sure... but to stretch out a punishment for so long just seems too unfair :( I also felt the family were a little unfair when they walked out on her having her tantrum on the court and just went home, leaving this 11-year-old to get home by herself. And then the same again after the burglar* incident. Damn that family went in for harsh punishments. How about doing the walking off and not watching the rest of her set part, but maybe waiting somewhere at the court for her? Only fiction, only fiction, I know!
*
December 7, 2017
I'm giving this book 3 stars because it's not Streatfeild's fault I don't like it much. I knew that going in; I care not a rap for tennis (or any other sport). It's great if you want to do it, I'm sure it's excellent exercise, but--really? It's like golf; do it if you want to do it, but the only thing less exciting for me on TV is darts or billiards. But you can't go by me; in my youth I did a very little fencing, but if you have to run to get there, I'm not going.
So I ended up skimming all the tennis-championship thing because I found loong descriptions of a sport I've never played boring. I much preferred Annie's circus-related threads, though they were scamped and cut short. Also, I noticed that the silly conceited boy-singer is a repeat motif that appears later in Apple Bough, Theater Shoes et al.
Nicky is so whiny and self-centred I wanted to smack her repeatedly (as I am sure so did the rest of the family). I was amused, I must say, by the entire family sending her to coventry for stamping her foot and throwing her racket on the ground just once, when she messes up on court. Could they not see she was angry with herself for failing--not throwing a "Not Fair!" tantrum a la Nasty Nastase or MacEnro?
Not my best choice, but that's just me. My gut reaction was a shaky 2 stars, but I shouldn't have even gone there and I know that.
So I ended up skimming all the tennis-championship thing because I found loong descriptions of a sport I've never played boring. I much preferred Annie's circus-related threads, though they were scamped and cut short. Also, I noticed that the silly conceited boy-singer is a repeat motif that appears later in Apple Bough, Theater Shoes et al.
Nicky is so whiny and self-centred I wanted to smack her repeatedly (as I am sure so did the rest of the family). I was amused, I must say, by the entire family sending her to coventry for stamping her foot and throwing her racket on the ground just once, when she messes up on court. Could they not see she was angry with herself for failing--not throwing a "Not Fair!" tantrum a la Nasty Nastase or MacEnro?
Not my best choice, but that's just me. My gut reaction was a shaky 2 stars, but I shouldn't have even gone there and I know that.
June 9, 2024
Roland Garros (French Open) time and so time for a reread of Tennis Shoes. I first read it years ago BG (Before Goodreads) but I like to reread. I picked it up again in 2015 and -- lo and behold -- it was an entirely different book to me than the other times I had read it.
There was still the story of the life of 4 brothers and sisters, their middle-class (in the old British definition of middle-class) parents, their sort-of governess, and their eccentric cook. We see them quarrelling, going to school, going on vacation -- various things that many of Streatfeild's books describe. But what I find interesting about this one is the details of how a champion comes to be. Here it is a tennis champion but it could apply to any activity that someone is very expert at. Dr. Heath wants his children to become tennis champions -- so England can once more compete at world level. He does his best to train them and give them opportunities. But we see in this book that Father doesn't always know best. If you don't like this sport better than any other, if you have talent but not ambition, that won't be enough.
Some readers don't like Nicky, others don't like the way her parents treat her. I wonder if Streatfeild didn't see something of herself in Nicky.
I'll think about that next year when Roland Garros comes round again.
There was still the story of the life of 4 brothers and sisters, their middle-class (in the old British definition of middle-class) parents, their sort-of governess, and their eccentric cook. We see them quarrelling, going to school, going on vacation -- various things that many of Streatfeild's books describe. But what I find interesting about this one is the details of how a champion comes to be. Here it is a tennis champion but it could apply to any activity that someone is very expert at. Dr. Heath wants his children to become tennis champions -- so England can once more compete at world level. He does his best to train them and give them opportunities. But we see in this book that Father doesn't always know best. If you don't like this sport better than any other, if you have talent but not ambition, that won't be enough.
Some readers don't like Nicky, others don't like the way her parents treat her. I wonder if Streatfeild didn't see something of herself in Nicky.
I'll think about that next year when Roland Garros comes round again.
April 30, 2020
Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfield was actually one of the first books to get me into reading, (and I actually read it again this year) and I’m so grateful that I picked that one when I was 9, and not Tennis Shoes. I just found it incredibly boring, and it may just be that I find tennis much less interesting that theatre or pretty much anything else, but it just took me so long to get through because if just felt like I was reading the same page again. All the interesting events seem to take place in under two pages and everything else is either tennis matches or spoilt children. Top this off with one dimensional and unlikable characters, this book really disappointed me.
Concept: 3/5
Characters: 2/5
Plot: 1.5/5
Writing: 3/5
Ease of reading: 3/5
July 20, 2015
A loved favorite from childhood, as most books by Streatfeild have been. It's a shame that hey books, especially those in the Shoes series are out of print or only available as European imports.
The story itself is for ages 9-11, and would not likely be engaging to older children, or those who dislike sports and tennis. The reader will learn more about growing up in a large English family in the early 20th century, before World War II than about tennis.
The story itself is for ages 9-11, and would not likely be engaging to older children, or those who dislike sports and tennis. The reader will learn more about growing up in a large English family in the early 20th century, before World War II than about tennis.
May 6, 2010
Bring this back into print. Please! The 'Shoe' pantheon needs a little athleticism to toughen it up. The book wasn't heavy on the tennis, but the author did understand the game. And while Nicky can come across as annoying, I rather liked her. She's practical and blunt, and the way her family treated her at times, I don't blame her for looking out for number one.
December 30, 2015
Well researched and with some charming characters but just a bit dry if you don't like tennis.
August 30, 2017
My least favorite 'Shoe' book despite being about tennis. I think the children in this one aren't particularly likable!
September 26, 2017
I liked this book not a lot but I was interested by the book. This was not one of Noel Streatfeilds best books but I liked it.
December 9, 2017
I loved "Ballet Shoes" and "Dancing Shoes" as a child, but found very little enjoyable about this book.
September 18, 2023
Sports, to me, is something that might be interesting if you're doing it, but not at all interesting to watch, or god forbid, read about. Actually, most of the things I rather enjoy doing I'd rather not read about, and most of the things I enjoy reading about I'd much rather not endure personally. But sport in particular has always baffled me, and the thought that millions of people happily observe others doing it remains a puzzlement.
So it's a measure of how good a writer she is that despite there being quite a lot of tennis in this book (and if not actual tennis, then tennis practice, tennis coaching, tennis discussion, saving for tennis rackets, tennis clothes, tennis tennis tennis tennis ...) I still enjoyed it, although surely I'd have liked it better, perhaps even given it the rare 5-star rating, had it been a pair of shoes I like better than sports ... landscape design, or musical theatre composition, or perfumery.
She's written several others, so having got a sports-themed one out of the way successfully, and it wasn't that bad, I have high hopes for the next one. Although as I write this I am suddenly aware of how very many specialized shoes there are particularly for sports. We shall see! Having learned that these aren't sequels, but more of a themed series (like those darling The Dutch Twins, The Japanese Twins etc.) I may if I choose skip the occasional book, like if I get to "Football Shoes" or "Lacrosse Shoes" or worse, something like "Arc-Welding Shoes." I know I won't be confused by the plots of the successive books, thank goodness.
(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)
So it's a measure of how good a writer she is that despite there being quite a lot of tennis in this book (and if not actual tennis, then tennis practice, tennis coaching, tennis discussion, saving for tennis rackets, tennis clothes, tennis tennis tennis tennis ...) I still enjoyed it, although surely I'd have liked it better, perhaps even given it the rare 5-star rating, had it been a pair of shoes I like better than sports ... landscape design, or musical theatre composition, or perfumery.
She's written several others, so having got a sports-themed one out of the way successfully, and it wasn't that bad, I have high hopes for the next one. Although as I write this I am suddenly aware of how very many specialized shoes there are particularly for sports. We shall see! Having learned that these aren't sequels, but more of a themed series (like those darling The Dutch Twins, The Japanese Twins etc.) I may if I choose skip the occasional book, like if I get to "Football Shoes" or "Lacrosse Shoes" or worse, something like "Arc-Welding Shoes." I know I won't be confused by the plots of the successive books, thank goodness.
(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)
December 31, 2024
Koliko sam se samo poistovecivala sa mnogim knjigama i pre ove. Igrala sam i balet, pa sam se poistovecaivala i sa Baletskim cipelicama, ali nijedna knjiga mi nije bila bliza srcu od ove. Igrala sam tenis od svoje 9-te do svoje 14-te godine, i ne mogu ni da opisem koliko sam volela taj sport. A ova knjiga upravo govori o svemu kroz sta sam ja prolazila, a glavni likovi su deca istih godina kao i ja u trenutku kad sam citala prvi put ovu knjigu. Pored toga sto sam je volela zbog toga, uvek sam volela price o odnosima izmedju brace i sestara, a ova knjiga prica o njih cetvoro! Stvarno preinteresantna prica i kad sam bila dete, a i sada. Naravno, s obzirom da je knjida namenjena deci, logicno je da ce biti sporija i malo teza za citati kad imas 25 godina, ali to ne znaci da nije bilo uzvianje citati je i sad isto kao i kad sam imala 12 godina.
September 4, 2018
An excellent children's book which many adults too can learn from.
The introduction says this world does not exist anymore in which this story is set: children obey their p[parents, families egg each member on to do well, even make harsh sacrifices, a lorry driver can be trusted to drop a kid off at home, and winning for your country but winning with integrity means much. The characters, especially David and Nicky are very well written and endearing.
So much aspiration and inspiration in this story, in this style of writing, Noel Streafeild is a joy to read and this is without doubt one I shall be reading to my own children.
The introduction says this world does not exist anymore in which this story is set: children obey their p[parents, families egg each member on to do well, even make harsh sacrifices, a lorry driver can be trusted to drop a kid off at home, and winning for your country but winning with integrity means much. The characters, especially David and Nicky are very well written and endearing.
So much aspiration and inspiration in this story, in this style of writing, Noel Streafeild is a joy to read and this is without doubt one I shall be reading to my own children.
March 14, 2021
I had the book Ballet Shoes when I was a kid. I think it came to us ragged, and it's even more ragged now. Somehow I had no conception that this was a series - despite, according to GoodReads, apparently having read book #9, Dancing Shoes, in 2012?! I have no recollection of it). Anyway, once I *consciously* found out, I had to read at least one more.
I pretty much liked this - it has that same oozy Streatfeild feel where years pass but nothing feels slow, because the lives described are so very rich, with familial love and also working hard at interesting things. The characters are great, especially the infuriating Nicky and bombastic little David.
I pretty much liked this - it has that same oozy Streatfeild feel where years pass but nothing feels slow, because the lives described are so very rich, with familial love and also working hard at interesting things. The characters are great, especially the infuriating Nicky and bombastic little David.
May 30, 2019
Very sweet story published in 1937 about the Heath family. Dr. Heath and his wife have 4 children, a set of twins and two children; they have a cook and governess/housekeeper. The Grandfather and Father were champion tennis players in their time and the sport of tennis flows in the family's blood; one of the children is quite good at the sport herself! Nice novel about a family going about their ordinary days as the year moves on; the reader follows along with the holidays and seasons. These older children's books are such a delight.
January 11, 2020
Noel Streatfeild's books are so interesting. They don't really have plots, and it's hard to see a real theme in them -- they're just slice-of-life. But they're compelling and engaging and you can't help but get invested in the characters. This one was kind of hard to read, because I sympathized so deeply with Nicky but she's also kind of a twit. Still, I definitely rooted for her all the way through.
October 26, 2018
Tennis shoes is one of four books in the shoes series by Noel Stratfield. They can be read in any order as they are all about different children perusing their dreams. It was a very interesting book as you think it is going to go one way but the story takes a different turn. I would recommend this book for children aged 9-13.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2023
I read Ballet Shoes back in 2015 during a trip and it became one of my favourite book of all the time. I was really excited to read another novel by the same author and, even though I didn't enjoy it as much, it put me in the reading mood. Plus I love tennis.
Enjoyable enough overall, but not as endearing as Ballet Shoes (read that one first!)
Enjoyable enough overall, but not as endearing as Ballet Shoes (read that one first!)
August 2, 2025
I read Ballet Shoes so many times as a child but didn't realise she'd written others until I was an adult. This was a lovely book! I really enjoyed it, and she's such a great writer of believable children, who don't always get what they want. Ballet Shoes will always be my favourite, but I really enjoyed this and look forward to reading the others.
March 29, 2019
I have always loved Noel Streatfeild's books -- as a child and as an adult reading them to my daughters. This was not one of my favorites, but I also am not a huge tennis fan. My nine year old daughter really liked it :).
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