New Releases by Noel Streatfeild

Margaret Thursday, the unforgettable heroine of Thursday's Child stars in this classic children's adventure from Noel Streatfeild, the beloved author of Ballet Shoes. When Margaret Thursday lands a role as a child actress at a well-known London theatre, becoming famous almost overnight, news of her success reaches her bitter enemy, the matron of her old orphanage. Margaret knows that Matron is set on revenge, but she keeps her head held high, focusing on the play. But Matron's evil plans are well prepared, and Margaret is going to need her wits about her - and the help of her friends - if she is to escape unharmed...

This enchanting story follows one girl's journey from her very first trip to the ballet, through the doors of ballet school, and into the world of disciplined yet passionate training. From the beauty of key positions to the grace of timeless choreography, this story invites readers to step into a world where dreams and hard work intertwine. Filled with illustrations of ballet positions, a history of the art form and the captivating tales behind famous ballets, this book is a treasure trove for budding dancers. A glossary of ballet terms makes it the perfect companion for young readers eager to learn. First published in 1953, Anna's story will captivate young readers and delight adult fans of Noel Streatfeild's work, including the much-loved Ballet Shoes. Fresh new illustrations bring this classic ballet book for children up to date.

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers' story comprehension and develop vocabulary. Ballet Shoes, a Level 2 Reader, is A1+ in the CEFR framework. Sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, introducing the future tenses will and going to, present continuous for future meaning, and comparatives and superlatives. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear on most pages. Sisters Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil do not have parents, but they have a very kind uncle. The sisters learn to dance, act and sing at a dancing school. But soon they have no money. What will happen to them? Visit the Penguin Readers website Exclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys.

Margaret Thursday, the unforgettable heroine of Thursday’s Child stars in this classic children’s adventure from Noel Streatfeild, the beloved author of Ballet Shoes.

A thrilling, classic children’s adventure with a courageous heroine, from the beloved author of Ballet Shoes.

*'Classic Noel Streatfeild at her warm-hearted best. I absolutely loved it' Hilary McKay, author of THE SKYLARKS' WAR *'Such rewarding reading' Daily Telegraph There are stories for every reader in this delightful collection - exciting crime-solving adventures; nervous young actors in the spotlight for the first time; unforgettable holidays and unlikely friendships. Featuring beautiful illustrations by PETER BAILEY Stories include: The Plain One; Devon Mettle; Chicken for Supper; Flag's Circus; The Secret; Coralie; Ordinary Me; Cows Eat Flowers; Andrew's Trout; The Old Fool; Let's Go Coaching; Howard; The Quiet Holiday; Roberta; Green Silk Originally written for annuals and magazines from the 1930s-70s, these newly discovered stories make captivating reading for Noel Streatfeild fans of all ages.

A skating champion. An unlikely friendship. A fateful pair of white boots. Read the classic that has captivated generations! It's a stroke of great luck when Harriet Johnson’s doctor prescribes skating after an illness that has left her feeling frail and listless. For on her very first day at the rink, Harriet meets orphaned Lalla Moore, who is being brought up by her wealthy aunt Claudia to be a skating champion. Although they have little in common, the girls form a fast friendship. Harriet is energized by talented, funny Lalla, and Lalla in turn blossoms under the affection of openhearted Harriet. The girls skate together more and more. But just as Lalla’s interest in skating starts to fade, Harriet’s natural talent begins to emerge. Suddenly Lalla and Harriet seem headed in two very different directions. Can their friendship survive? This beloved children's classic is the perfect gift for girls who dream of spending days at the ice rink and becoming a figure skating champion. Adult readers may remember the "Shoes" books from You've Got Mail!

For the first time ever in the United States, the "Shoes" books are available as ebooks! Go behind the scenes of a movie in this beloved classic! Life is tough for the Winter family in London, with little money and Dad out of work. Luckily, Aunt Cora comes to the rescue with an invitation to live in California. From that moment on, talented Rachel and Tim dream of stardom in America. The family couldn't be more surprised when a movie producer picks plain, peevish Jane for the lead role of Mary in The Secret Garden. No one's ever noticed Jane before. Could this be the chance of a lifetime? Noel Streatfeild's "Shoes" books are some of the most popular of the thirty-eight books she wrote for children.

Picture a gorgeous English country house, surrounded by manicured lawns and sprawling oak trees. This is Levet, where the Laurence family have lived since the 18th century. Once full of children and excitement, the only Laurences left at Levet now are former actress Sara and her very upper class mother-in-law Lydia. That is until the Second World War erupts and Mrs. Vilder arrives with her three children after being evacuated from their home . . . Carnegie Medal winning author Noel Streatfeild fills Levet with authentic families facing undeniable tragedy in this heart-warming wartime novel, The Winter is Past.

Once fashionable and plush with flowers, post-war Mayfair has lost its dazzling charm. But that didn’t stop Charlotte Nettel and her husband Sir John from swapping life in the quiet northern countryside to convert their roomy Mayfair townhouse into flats. Their tenants come in all shapes and sizes – from pregnant couple Jack and Jenny to German migrants Paula and Heinrich – and they provide a constant stream of both entertainment and anxiety. But it’s Charlotte’s stepdaughter Penny, a disillusioned young women born into the uneasy interwar world, who proves to be the most difficult and scandalous tenant . . . Flashing between the lives of each tenant Carnegie Medal winning author Noel Streatfeild gives us a kaleidoscopic view of post-war London in her ingenious novel, Grass in Piccadilly. For fans of Muriel Spark’s A Far Cry From Kensington.

Sixty-two-year-old Clara leads a virtuous life. She spends all her time helping others and she always puts her friends and family first. It’s a shame that nobody, including her four siblings and their myriad of children, ever stops to say thank you and appreciate all she does. . . . until wealthy Uncle Simon comes into her life. Like Clara, Simon never married, never had children and he lived alone – the two understood each other like no one else in the family could. So when Uncle Simon dies, and leaves very specific wishes to Clara in his will, the path of her life changes in ways she could never imagined. Thrown into the world of circuses, greyhound-racing and dubious house-property, Aunt Clara encounters bizarre incidents and an unlikely love story in this enchanting novel from Carnegie Medal winning author, Noel Streatfeild.

From Noel Streatfeild, the beloved author of Ballet Shoes, comes a moving story of unexpected friendships and new beginnings. When their father is injured in an accident, life changes for the Johnstone family. Unable to afford their home, they have to move to a small London flat. Carol can no longer go to ballet school and Tim is heartbroken as he must leave his beloved dog, Jelly, behind. Then, it seems, their wishes are granted: in an extraordinary twist of fate, Tim inherits a dilapidated country house, Caldicott Place, where the family - including Jelly - can live together. But the house is badly in need of repair and they have no money, so a solution is found - the family start to look after wealthy children in the school holidays. Although they dread the prospect of sharing their newly found home with rich spoiled children, perhaps friendships can be found in the unlikeliest places.

Christmas with the Chrystals is a gorgeous short story about how an influx of cheery young cousins at Christmas warms the heart of a haughty grandmother and lights up her chilly home. This very special Yuletide story is accompanied by several Streatfeild Christmas extracts from her many children's novels, including an (almost) never-before-seen sequel chapter to her bestseller Ballet Shoes. There are also recollections of the author's own childhood Christmases (taken from the Noel Streatfeild Christmas Holiday Book).

A classic story by a much beloved author tells the story Vicky who is the awkward one of four sisters. As she grows up she starts to write stories and gradually realises that she might not be quite as ordinary as she feels.

A Little Girl, Enraptured By Her First Ballet And Determined To Take Ballet Training, Learns The Hard Work And Discipline Involved In This Art. Includes Exercises And Steps, A History Of Ballet, And Stories Of Classic Ballets.

This is a tale of triumph. Three orphaned girls vow to make a name for themselves and find their own special talents. With hard work, fame just may be in the stars!

Near the end of the Second World War, Selina receives a parcel from America that contains a beautiful party dress and shoes. But her excitement turns to sorrow when she realizes she'll never have a chance to wear the beautiful dress, until she and her cousins decide to organize a pageant.

Margaret Thursday grandly announced to the orphanage children, "I'm not properly an orphan. I was found on a Thursday on the church steps, with three of everything, all of the very best quality". And each time she was asked, "Who do you think you might be then?", she had dozens of ready replies. Whoever she was, Margaret made herself the arch enemy of the cruel matron. Soon things reached such a dreadful state that she decided to run away from St. Luke's, but not without Peter and Horatio, and her three of everything. So the children fled in the night to become the unlikelist leggers ever seen on a canal boat. And Margaret proved that she was a person of the very best quality.

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?

A beautiful gift edition of the beloved classic about three orphan siblings and their love of music, theater, and dance. When orphans Sorrel, Mark, and Holly are sent to live with their grandmother, a famous English actress, she enrolls them in the Children's Academy of Dancing and Stage Training, the same Academy that made the orphans from Ballet Shoes famous so long ago. It's the chance of a lifetime, but the Academy won't give the children the "proper" education their parents would have wanted. However, the children learn to love the Academy when they find out that Sorrel has dramatic flair, Mark can sing, and Holly charms everyone with her adorable impish ways. Maybe talent does run in the family. This classic children's book is perfect for kids who dream of being on stage--dancing, singing, or acting. Don't miss the other classic Noel Streatfeild books, Ballet Shoes, Skating Shoes, and Dancing Shoes!

As her cousins find success singing and dancing on the stage, Gemma wins a coveted acting role in a local theatre production but may have to give it up when her mother makes a startling announcement.

Adolescence.

Tired of being world citizens, traveling with their brother on his tours as a violin prodigy, three children plot to find a home of their own and discover careers of their own in films and ballet.

Peter and Santa run away from home, afraid of being sent to orphanages, to find their uncle who lives with a circus.

Adolescence.