Ballet Shoes

In the tradition of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Little Princess come Noel Streatfeild’s tales of triumph. In this story, three orphan girls vow to make a name for themselves and find their own special talents. With hard work, fame just may be in the stars! Originally published in 1937.

Often drawing on the raw material of her experiences as stage actress, Noel Streatfeild wrote more than 80 books for children and adults, including the famous "Shoes" series. A rebellious child who was expelled from her first school, she developed a lifelong love of theater and the performing arts. Her first novel, The Whitcharts—about the theater—was published in 1931. Though several other novels for adults followed, an editor encouraged a reluctant Streatfeild to write a theater-themed story for children; the result was highly successful Ballet Shoes, about three young girls training for the stage. Look for Theater Shoes and Dancing Shoes on audio from Listening Library.