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Ballet Shoes for Anna
Three children, having lost their parents in an earthquake, come to England to live with their prim uncle and feeble aunt. Anna lives only to dance - but her uncle forbids her to have anything do with ballet. How will she survive?
240 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1972
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678 people want to read
About the author
Noel Streatfeild
161 books613 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 60 reviews
May 22, 2017
Not my favorite Streatfeild, though I found it interesting that it was a little darker than her usual. The parents die at the very beginning and the effects of it on the kids are dealt with at least a little. (I mean, I know she has other dead parents, but generally they're far in the backstory.) The uncle didn't have much in the way of redeeming characteristics and
And it was more about about fighting to get to learn to dance than actually learning to dance.
And it was more about about fighting to get to learn to dance than actually learning to dance.
June 4, 2017
Katie made me pull this off my shelf again (for the first time in a decade, I think). It's not terrible, actually. Kind of more compelling than I expected. The earthquake is still shattering - that's what I remembered most about this - but Mabel is an oddly interesting character, too.
This is short, though. Too short to develop a story well or to make any conflict or confusion around "S'William" convincing.
This is short, though. Too short to develop a story well or to make any conflict or confusion around "S'William" convincing.
January 29, 2024
Never give up on your dreams/passion 🔥
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June 4, 2016It's funny how relevant a story like this is in today's world. Here we have three children: with a Polish mother and a British father, they were born in India, Iran and Turkey respectively. They've travelled all their life and now, orphaned by an earthquake, they're refugees in Britain trying to make sense of a life totally unlike the one they left behind. Anna's a talented dancer, or will be if she has the training, but in a world where being given a home is expected to be enough, that's not an easy thing to come by.
This book's one of the more modern of Streatfeild's books, set in the 70s -- she must have been nearly 90 when she wrote it, at least -- and while some of it will seem dated to the modern reader, I honestly think there are a lot of children now who'd see themselves in this book, kids who don't speak English well and don't like British food (even if you can get curry pretty easily these days and cabbage isn't that popular). This is as "diverse" a book as many that are marketed that way, and it's a touching story of three children tackling loss and dislocation in an unknown land.
Sure, Anna's a little fixated on dancing. Yes, it's not an up-to-date story. But I think there's a lot in it that's relevant to today's Britain.
This book's one of the more modern of Streatfeild's books, set in the 70s -- she must have been nearly 90 when she wrote it, at least -- and while some of it will seem dated to the modern reader, I honestly think there are a lot of children now who'd see themselves in this book, kids who don't speak English well and don't like British food (even if you can get curry pretty easily these days and cabbage isn't that popular). This is as "diverse" a book as many that are marketed that way, and it's a touching story of three children tackling loss and dislocation in an unknown land.
Sure, Anna's a little fixated on dancing. Yes, it's not an up-to-date story. But I think there's a lot in it that's relevant to today's Britain.
June 24, 2020
This was darker than your typical children's book by Noel Streatfeild, but her most familiar trope was present. (Girl who has THE gift to dance! She can only be trained by the best! She is too young to dance pointe!!!) For some reason, it stood out more as an irritation to me in this book. Perhaps because it was her only character trait, besides being quiet. There were a lot of fresh elements in the story (the dynamic of the aunt and uncle, the storylines of the brothers, etc.), but I didn't enjoy this as much as I've enjoyed many other Noel Streatfeild books.
April 7, 2011
I was disappointed with this book. I thought it would have been more about Anna's struggle to convince her uncle that she should take ballet lessons, but instead it was about two brothers scrounging up money. That was the only thing on the brothers' minds- how to get money for Anna's classes. They had no interests of their own. Gussie started to, towards the end when he joined the school's gang, but even then his primary focus was to get money for classes.
Anna had no personality of her own. She appeared to know that going en pointe at eight was too young, but that was it. Why didn't she want to actually dance- not do repeated exercises? Even center exercises seems to cause her anguish. I felt like telling her- Anna, ballet is dancing. Yes, exercises are vitally important, but each exercise you do is the equivalent to a movement on the stage. That whole aspect of the story puzzled me. And it didn't even seem as though it was because she was bashful or thought her dancing wasn't too good. It just seemed to be that Anna didn't want to dance at all.
This book lacked any kind of character depth, or even basic character motivation. It seemed to be:
1. Get money for Anna.
2. Find a way to get money for Anna.
3. ???
4.Profit! Ballet lessons for Anna.
Not to mention Anna never seemed to be grateful for all the trouble her brothers went through. Like Gussie said, it was one thing after another- ballet lessons, then ballet shoes, then a ballet tunic and finally another ballet teacher. Geez, Anna, give it a rest.
And finally the ending. And that was that.
Thanks for the lack of conclusion, there, Streatfeild.
Anna had no personality of her own. She appeared to know that going en pointe at eight was too young, but that was it. Why didn't she want to actually dance- not do repeated exercises? Even center exercises seems to cause her anguish. I felt like telling her- Anna, ballet is dancing. Yes, exercises are vitally important, but each exercise you do is the equivalent to a movement on the stage. That whole aspect of the story puzzled me. And it didn't even seem as though it was because she was bashful or thought her dancing wasn't too good. It just seemed to be that Anna didn't want to dance at all.
This book lacked any kind of character depth, or even basic character motivation. It seemed to be:
1. Get money for Anna.
2. Find a way to get money for Anna.
3. ???
4.
Not to mention Anna never seemed to be grateful for all the trouble her brothers went through. Like Gussie said, it was one thing after another- ballet lessons, then ballet shoes, then a ballet tunic and finally another ballet teacher. Geez, Anna, give it a rest.
And finally the ending. And that was that.
Thanks for the lack of conclusion, there, Streatfeild.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2016
I'm giving marks for the start in which the children, three siblings, live in Turkey with their Bohemian-style parents. An earthquake kills their English artist father and Polish mother, so they are rescued by a kindly British diplomatic traveller and brought to England.
After this the tale becomes rather like an Enid Blyton with the difference of poor spoken English standards which the kids need to address. Anna has a talent for ballet and early training from her grandfather, so she is determined to keep going with lessons. But these will cost money and the kids don't have any, besides which their stingy, formal uncle doesn't approve of dancing. We're not told why he disapproves, because classical ballet would, like choir, be seen as an asset in his middle-class community. The plump, quiet aunt supports the children but is not used to standing up to her husband.
The children, while distinct personalities, are each quite one-sided. Anna is particularly annoying as she just demands money for lessons and gives no thought to the welfare of her brothers or to earning her fees. I could not make myself like her although I like her determination and wish to train rather than to show off her skills. The older brother takes his position seriously and becomes quite domineering while the younger gets up to escapades and is easily led when he thinks there is money in it for him.
I fond a lot of repetition particularly as the earthquake tragedy is retold, and in my copy there are several typos, as though it had been scanned. Overall it's an interesting story for under tens, with some lessons to be learned.
After this the tale becomes rather like an Enid Blyton with the difference of poor spoken English standards which the kids need to address. Anna has a talent for ballet and early training from her grandfather, so she is determined to keep going with lessons. But these will cost money and the kids don't have any, besides which their stingy, formal uncle doesn't approve of dancing. We're not told why he disapproves, because classical ballet would, like choir, be seen as an asset in his middle-class community. The plump, quiet aunt supports the children but is not used to standing up to her husband.
The children, while distinct personalities, are each quite one-sided. Anna is particularly annoying as she just demands money for lessons and gives no thought to the welfare of her brothers or to earning her fees. I could not make myself like her although I like her determination and wish to train rather than to show off her skills. The older brother takes his position seriously and becomes quite domineering while the younger gets up to escapades and is easily led when he thinks there is money in it for him.
I fond a lot of repetition particularly as the earthquake tragedy is retold, and in my copy there are several typos, as though it had been scanned. Overall it's an interesting story for under tens, with some lessons to be learned.
December 26, 2016
This book is about three children - Francesco, Gussie and Anna - who are taken from Eastern Europe to England to live with their Aunt and Uncle. Unfortunately they disapprove of dancing, yet Anna is determined to be a ballet dancer. The book revolves around the children's gradual adaptation to British life, and also Anna's persistence in needing to find ballet classes and a teacher who will take her seriously.
As ever with this author's work, the children are delightful - a mixture of good and bad, responsible and irresponsible - and the adults rather caricatured. But that's not a bad thing in a book intended for this agegroup. The story moves along rapidly and I enjoyed it very much.
My only criticism of the book is that it ends very abruptly. There are some dramatic events in the last couple of chapters, then suddenly all problems are solved in a 'deus ex machina' way in about two pages. It didn't feel as if it fit with the rest of the book.
But other than that, it's excellent - and a little more thought-provoking than others by this author.
As ever with this author's work, the children are delightful - a mixture of good and bad, responsible and irresponsible - and the adults rather caricatured. But that's not a bad thing in a book intended for this agegroup. The story moves along rapidly and I enjoyed it very much.
My only criticism of the book is that it ends very abruptly. There are some dramatic events in the last couple of chapters, then suddenly all problems are solved in a 'deus ex machina' way in about two pages. It didn't feel as if it fit with the rest of the book.
But other than that, it's excellent - and a little more thought-provoking than others by this author.
February 6, 2012
Another book dedicated to dancing by Noel Streatfield, ballet shoes for Anna follows the lives of three siblings. The youngest sibling, Anna has a rare talent for ballet which is developed by her grandfather who used to be a ballet teacher. A freak accident kills their parents and grandparents and they are sent to London to live with their uncle and aunt. Unfortunately for the children their uncle does not like children and believes dancing to be foolish and bans Anna from having dancing lessons. The book follows the children in their efforts to get ballet classes for Anna without their uncle knowing. The book is suitable for children who can read fluently and independently and teaches about the relationships between siblings and the importance of putting other peoples needs in front of your own.
April 24, 2016
This is the first real book I've ever read. I don't really remember much about it, I know it had a girl who loved to dance ballet, but I'm giving it a 5 because I trust my 8-year-old self who thought this was an amazing book (and because nostalgia washes over me every time I see it on the shelf)!
April 2, 2019
I really enjoyed this book
February 15, 2014
Melodrama! Oh, the poor, poor orphans! This isn't quite up to par with Streatfeild's best writing but is still a decent, if over dramatic, tale of orphans who overcome tragedy. Having lived a gypsy-type life with their Polish mother and British father, who ran away from his stiff upper-lip family to pursue a career as a painter, three children are devastated when all their living European relatives are killed in an earthquake in Turkey. Rescued by a British Lord, they are taken to live with the father's brother. The Uncle is a pompous bore, who hates children and only tolerates them for the sake of appearances, The Aunt is kind but she is terrified as a mouse of her husband. Of course, life in England is miserable for them, especially since the girl had been about to go off for serious ballet lessons when the tragedy struck, her Polish grandfather, a famous Ballet instructor, having taught her all he knew. The Uncle thinks any kind of dance is the work of the devil and forbids them to even mention it again. The children find ways around this and persevere making sure Anna gets some sort of lessons locally, but the boys have trouble raising money and Gus is prone to the shenanigans of The Gang. Written as a tragedy, the children's lives become more and more miserable, though they manage to find happiness in the fact that they at least have each other, until at last the worst may happen then ta dah ... the orphans are rescued again. I grew up on Streatfield and love her books, and enjoyed reading this one again. Though certainly not one of her best, a fun lark for those who like orphan stories.
I actually read from two copies of this book as I have two editions I really like and don't want to give up either. First is the HarperCollins "Essential Modern Classics" edition, books from this line start with a short essay from another children's author on "Why You'll Love This Book". This essay is an introduction written by Hilary McKay. Then these books always end with some sort of appropriate back matter relating to the book. As in my previous reviewed "White Boots" from the same line, the Streatfield books end with a note from her nephew, William Streatfield who reminisces about his aunt and something pertaining to either the writing of or the theme of the book in hand. This new editions is, unfortunately, not illustrated. This is why I also kept on hand my battered little Lions paperback (only 50p) so I could read the story and enjoy the illustrations at the same time, though Mary Dinsdale produces some rather scribbled sketches.
I actually read from two copies of this book as I have two editions I really like and don't want to give up either. First is the HarperCollins "Essential Modern Classics" edition, books from this line start with a short essay from another children's author on "Why You'll Love This Book". This essay is an introduction written by Hilary McKay. Then these books always end with some sort of appropriate back matter relating to the book. As in my previous reviewed "White Boots" from the same line, the Streatfield books end with a note from her nephew, William Streatfield who reminisces about his aunt and something pertaining to either the writing of or the theme of the book in hand. This new editions is, unfortunately, not illustrated. This is why I also kept on hand my battered little Lions paperback (only 50p) so I could read the story and enjoy the illustrations at the same time, though Mary Dinsdale produces some rather scribbled sketches.
November 24, 2020
This book is a must read for young readers . quick and empowering read . Highly recommended book
June 4, 2021
The three children had been orphaned after their parents and grandparents died from terrifying earthquake along with the village. It's just vanished as if it was never existed.
So the children was led by Sir William and they were sent to live with their cheapskate paternal Uncle, Cecil from Britain. The children hate their Uncle but shows kindness towards their Aunt, Mabel.
They made friends with Wally (his parents sell clothes etc) and their twin neighbour, Jonathan and Priscilla.
Anna, the youngest needs to learn dancing but she is very picky to choose the teacher. She wants the best teacher to teach her as their grandfather whom they called Jardek told Anna to find the best teacher. So the eldest of them Francesco and the middle Gussie tried hard to pay her dancing class and unluckily Gussie joined a bad gang but the truth went out and finally they met Sir William again and somehow Sir William is the one who will take care of them by sending the boys to boarding school and provide Anna her dancing class witg Madam Scarletti who turned out knew Jardek well.
Frankly speaking, I don't like Anna's character because as if she never appreciate teacher's quality. And the story itself from getting interesting to rather drown and the ending was a bit of disappointment.
So the children was led by Sir William and they were sent to live with their cheapskate paternal Uncle, Cecil from Britain. The children hate their Uncle but shows kindness towards their Aunt, Mabel.
They made friends with Wally (his parents sell clothes etc) and their twin neighbour, Jonathan and Priscilla.
Anna, the youngest needs to learn dancing but she is very picky to choose the teacher. She wants the best teacher to teach her as their grandfather whom they called Jardek told Anna to find the best teacher. So the eldest of them Francesco and the middle Gussie tried hard to pay her dancing class and unluckily Gussie joined a bad gang but the truth went out and finally they met Sir William again and somehow Sir William is the one who will take care of them by sending the boys to boarding school and provide Anna her dancing class witg Madam Scarletti who turned out knew Jardek well.
Frankly speaking, I don't like Anna's character because as if she never appreciate teacher's quality. And the story itself from getting interesting to rather drown and the ending was a bit of disappointment.
June 17, 2014
As with many of Streatfeild’s books (at least those I’ve read), the children are the victims of unfortunate circumstances. In the case of Anna, Francesco and Gussie, an earthquake takes away their family, destroys their village. And they find themselves in England under the care of their uncle, a mean-spirited man who wants nothing to do with them and hates that he has to spend his money on them. His wife though is sweet and concerned but always puts the husband first. So the boys, with the help of a new friend, try to figure out how to get their Anna the proper ballet training she deserves, as well as the best ballet shoes (their uncle obviously considers dancing a frivolous activity). It’s a story about determination and courage, with Francesco as a great big brother character. Too bad Anna seems rather silly!
Originally posted at http://olduvaireads.wordpress.com/201...
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July 23, 2016
Having previously read and enjoyed White Boots, I was looking forward to reading more of Noel Streatfeild's work. Although there was nothing particularly wrong with Ballet Shoes for Anna, I found myself slightly disappointed at the abrupt and slightly 'lack lustre'. I was looking forward to seeing the relationship develop more between the children and their aunt and uncle. I found myself wanting to see more of Aunt Mabel's character, perhaps she would make a positive change and become a stronger and more confident person or the Uncle would have warmed to the children. But instead, the story just ended abruptly on the return of Sir William and I felt the whole story was concluded in just a few paragraphs. So although the story was strong throughout I rather feel the ending let it down.
September 9, 2009
Anna and her two live with their grandparents in a small village in Turkey which is devastated by an earthquake. When the beloved grandparents are killed, the children are sent to live with a severe British uncle who refuses to allow Anna to take dancing lessons. Her brothers Francesco and Gussie are miserable too, until they unexpectedly find help. As with many of Streatfeild's books, one learns about an art as well as the characters. Not as much fun as _Ballet Shoes_, but an entertaining story.
July 24, 2012
This book was just OK for me, I don't know if it's because this book is a children's book, or if it's simple not for me, but I didn't find it that brilliant.
There were parts of it which I did like, and it was a quick and easy read, but overall it wasn't brilliant and I wouldn't read it again. I especially didn't like the ending.
I read Ballet Shoes a while ago and I liked it, so I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately it didn't live up to my expectations.
For a full review, visit my blog at www.thebooktower.webs.com
There were parts of it which I did like, and it was a quick and easy read, but overall it wasn't brilliant and I wouldn't read it again. I especially didn't like the ending.
I read Ballet Shoes a while ago and I liked it, so I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately it didn't live up to my expectations.
For a full review, visit my blog at www.thebooktower.webs.com
May 13, 2014
Ballet shoes for Anna, is a heartwarming, slightly teary story about three siblings who become orphans after a Turkish earthquake. They are sent off to their nearest relation. Anna the youngest of them all has her heart set on becoming a ballerina. The only thing that stands in her way is……………………
There uncle did not approve of dancing so, with the help of her brothers and their friend Wally, will Anna’s earthquake inside of her finally stop.
There uncle did not approve of dancing so, with the help of her brothers and their friend Wally, will Anna’s earthquake inside of her finally stop.
December 3, 2016
Впервые узнала об авторе Ноэль Стритфилд из прекрасного фильма "Вам письмо", а потом и одна из любимых аткрис - Эмма Уотсон сыграла в фильме "Балетные туфельки", снятом по одноименной книге автора. И я решила перечитать все остальные, потому что есть в них что-то волшебное. Что-то согревающее сердце и разгоняющее тоску и грусть. Очень рекомендую.
December 29, 2016
I have always loved Noel Streatfeild's books and as a child I got my library to ILL them for me or hunted through second hand book stores to find all of them. She tells the perfect "girls stories". I was always able to find one character in each book that was my favorite. They definitely stand up to re-reads.
November 13, 2011
A simple yet sweet tale of three children who, after an earthquake which destroys their home and family, are left clinging to the only things they know: they must behave at their uncle's house, they must stick together and Anna must learn to dance. A lovely little book.
September 21, 2016
A favourite childhood book but I did not enjoy reading it as much recently. Perhaps as a child studying ballet I could relate well to Anna's obsession and struggles. It had a certain amount of charm but the ending I found far too abrupt.
December 31, 2009
its a great book but was a challenge. Thats because the printing was small. But still it was very interesting how the older sister was into witch craft.
*GRACE*
*GRACE*
September 24, 2016
Wasn't the best book, but had a good time reading it.
January 25, 2017
I absolutely adored this book as a child. Different perspective as an adult.
March 26, 2020
Reading Noel Streatfield is like curling up in a fluffy blanket by the fire while it's snowing outside. It's that happy mix of nostalgia, wonder, and magic
February 5, 2018
I was suprised how up-to-the-moment-it-was-written this was. It's a very late career Streatfeild and considering how old she was, this actually feels like she was still in touch with what was going on at the time it was written - unlike some other of her contemporaries. There's common themes and experiences with her earlier books, but life has moved on - the ballet of Ballet Shoes is here, but Streatfeild knows it's not the 1930s any more and things have changed - I was impressed.
Beyond that it's a nice culture clash story about three children who are orphaned and have to try and adjust to living in England after having lived a nomadic life in a caravan travelling around Europe with their parents. It could have used a bit more of S'William and a bit more resolution at the end, but other wise, it's a really good children's story.
Beyond that it's a nice culture clash story about three children who are orphaned and have to try and adjust to living in England after having lived a nomadic life in a caravan travelling around Europe with their parents. It could have used a bit more of S'William and a bit more resolution at the end, but other wise, it's a really good children's story.
September 29, 2019
I went into the book with great hopes, after having been a fan of The Ballet Shoes. But this book was such a downer for me. It is a tale of 3 children orphaned by an earthquake in Turkey, and going to live with their aunt and uncle in England. The youngest, Anna, had begun ballet lessons with her now late-grandfather, and he had drummed it into her and her brothers’ head that she was a prodigy.
The rest of the story is all about how the two boys try to make money to get Anna her ballet lessons and shoes, while she just sat around whining, cribbing and being helpless and useless.
I felt sorry for the 2 boys - to have a sister like Anna was robbing them of their childhood. It’d have been more to the point if she’d made some effort to help her brothers’, thus helping herself fulfill her goal of becoming a ballet prodigy.
The rest of the story is all about how the two boys try to make money to get Anna her ballet lessons and shoes, while she just sat around whining, cribbing and being helpless and useless.
I felt sorry for the 2 boys - to have a sister like Anna was robbing them of their childhood. It’d have been more to the point if she’d made some effort to help her brothers’, thus helping herself fulfill her goal of becoming a ballet prodigy.
December 21, 2017
I read this book long, long ago. I don't really remember all the details of Noel Streatfeild's writing , but I was happy when I read the book.
The book revolves around three siblings , the youngest being Anna . They are orphaned due to an unfortunate incident and move to England to live with their not-so-friendly-and-pleasant uncle.
The book is mainly about Anna's dream to learn ballet, which is not really welcome by her uncle. And, how her brothers work towards fulfilling her dream
The book revolves around three siblings , the youngest being Anna . They are orphaned due to an unfortunate incident and move to England to live with their not-so-friendly-and-pleasant uncle.
The book is mainly about Anna's dream to learn ballet, which is not really welcome by her uncle. And, how her brothers work towards fulfilling her dream
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews