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...

A timeless children''s classic about ice-skating, friendship and ambition, from the beloved author of Ballet Shoes. Perfect for all children who love skating, dancing and performing. Harriet''s best friend Lalla dreams of being the best skater in the world - but when Harriet discovers her own natural talent on the ice, the girls'' friendship comes under threat. Will Harriet choose Lalla, or her own glittering future?

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.

A treasury of inspiration for every December baby... Find out why you might give your December baby a name to do with light, what is meant by a gift of a Christmassy garland of holly and mistletoe, and who your baby shares their birthday with - could it be Walt Disney, Jane Austen or Nostradamus? Much-loved author Noel Streatfeild originally launched this series of month-by-month baby books in 1959. Recently rediscovered in her publisher''s archives, each little book arrives complete with gorgeous illustrations, and includes: - suggested names and games for babies born in each month - characteristics of your baby according to their zodiac sign - famous babies who share your baby''s birthday - quotations and rhymes to fit every aspect of babyhood ... and much more. With a warm, lively and charming introduction by Noel Streatfeild to every volume, each adorable book in this series is a pleasure to read, and an object to treasure.

A treasury of inspiration for every April baby... Find out which names for your April baby have connotations of renewal, learn what is meant by a gift of a bunch of moss, bearded crepis, primroses, daisies and wood sorrel, and discover who your baby shares their birthday with - could it be Charlotte Brontë, Leonardo da Vinci or Alexander the Great? Much-loved author Noel Streatfeild originally launched this series of month-by-month baby books in 1959. Recently rediscovered in her publisher''s archives, each little book arrives complete with gorgeous illustrations, and includes: - suggested names and games for babies born in each month - characteristics of your baby according to their zodiac sign - famous babies who share your baby''s birthday - quotations and rhymes to fit every aspect of babyhood ... and much more. With a warm, lively and charming introduction by Noel Streatfeild to every volume, each adorable book in this series is a pleasure to read, and an object to treasure.

Theatre Shoes is part of the wonderful ''Shoes'' series of adventures for children by Noel Streatfeild. Every family has its secrets, but it was a huge surprise to the three young Forbeses, fresh from a country vicarage, to discover that their grandmother was a famous actress. Sent to live with her in bombed-out, wartime London, they soon discovered that they were expected to follow in the family footsteps - to the footlights -! As an actress herself, Noel Streatfeild was familiar with all the details of the backstage world of the theatre. She has created an authentic, perceptive and vivid picture of theatrical life - from stage school to auditions to performances. Reissued in ''A Puffin Book'' series of Puffin modern classics, along with Ballet Shoes, Circus Shoes and Tennis Shoes, all 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.

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.

Written by the author of the beloved classsic, Ballet Shoes (1936), this wonderful picture book about a family poodle is available once again after 70 years! Aunt Cathy''s wedding is tomorrow, but Father insists on keeping Osbert the family dog away from the festivities. Father says he''s too unsightly! Can the heartbroken children work a miraclein time? Collectible hardback with foil on the cover makes this a lovely gift for anyone''s library Rarely seen for 50 years, this heartfelt and nostalgic read is the perfect gift for dog lovers of all ages Osbertand The Theatre Catare Noel''s only picture books - both republished simulataneously. Includes the book''s original illustrations by artist Susanne Suba, also known for her covers for The New Yorkermagazine. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Noel Streatfeild was born in Sussex in 1895 and began writing children''s books in 1931. Ballet Shoeswas published in 1936, and she quickly became one of the most popular authors of her day. She was one of the first winners of the Carnegie Medal and was awarded an OBE in 1983. Streatfeild lived in London until she died in 1986.

Written by the author of the beloved classsic, Ballet Shoes (1936), this wonderful picture book about a cat who lives in a theatre is available once again after 70 years! Pinkie the cat works at the ballet theatre as a mouser. He loves watching the dancers, but he''s scared of the mice he''s meant to catch! What''s a ballet-loving cat to do? Collectible hardback with foil on the cover makes this a lovely gift for anyone''s library Rarely seen since it''s publication in 1951, this heartfelt and nostalgic read is the perfect gift for cat lovers of all ages Osbertand The Theatre Catare Noel''s only picture books - both republished simulataneously. Includes the book''s original illustrations by artist Susanne Suba, also known for her covers for The New Yorkermagazine. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Noel Streatfeild was born in Sussex in 1895 and began writing children''s books in 1931. Ballet Shoeswas published in 1936, and she quickly became one of the most popular authors of her day. She was one of the first winners of the Carnegie Medal and was awarded an OBE in 1983. Streatfeild lived in London until she died in 1986.

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!

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!

A beautiful gift edition of the beloved classic about two orphan sisters and their newfound love of theater and dance. After losing their mother, Rachel and her adopted sister Hilary move in with their aunt, Cora Wintle. Cora runs a dancing school in London, and she thinks that Hilary would be perfect for her dancing troupe, Wintle''s Little Wonders! The only problem is that Hilary might be as good as Cora''s own precious daughter, Dulcie. Still, Cora is determined to make sulky Rachel and sprightly Hilary members of her dance troupe. But Rachel doesn''t want to be a Little Wonder! She can''t dance and feels silly in her the ruffly costume. Nothing seems to be going as planned, until Rachel discovers her talent for acting. . . . This classic children''s book is perfect for kids who dream of being on stage, whether it be dancing or acting. And don''t miss the other classic Noel Streatfeild titles, Ballet Shoes, Skating Shoes, and Theater Shoes!

''The wonderful Noel Streatfeild''s Christmas Stories collects, for the first time, nine festive stories originally written for annuals and magazines in the 1940s and 1950s . . . As ever, Streatfeild''s children always feel utterly real and relatable. A beautifully produced treat'' Anna Carey, Irish Times In this captivating collection of stories by the author of Ballet Shoes, there are auditions on stage and antics on ice, trips to the pantomime, holiday adventures, and laughter shared with family and friends. Charming, heartwarming and funny, this collection will bring joy to readers of all ages. Originally written in 1940s-60s for annuals, magazines and the radio, these stories have never been collected before. With enchanting line drawings by by Peter Bailey. Stories include: The Audition The Bells Keep Twelfth Night The Moss Rose Thimble The Princess The Chain Christmas at Collers The Pantomime Goose Skating to the Stars

Myra Carrol has it all - beauty, kindness and a loving marriage. One afternoon she is searching through her barn for objects which could be of help in the Second World War, when she comes across an old picture of herself . . . She is immediately transported back to the carefree days of her childhood. Raised to be a strong woman by her governess Connie, Myra''s honesty, confidence and angelically beautiful face gave her the best start in life . . . until her father''s death takes her to boarding school. Through nostalgic flashbacks we learn about the events that shaped Myra''s life in this heart-warming family wartime novel by Carnegie Medal winning author, Noel Streatfeild.

Adela Framley seems to be a perfect citizen. She’s a proud mother, she runs a charity for homes which have been bombed and wants to hold a dinner party in aid of the charity’s patron, Gardiner Penrose. But are there dark motives behind her good actions? Adela invites a curious mixture of friends and family to a fancy restaurant nearby and over the course of the dinner party we move between each guest’s daily troubles and anxieties . . . until a catastrophic event puts an end to their soiree. Carnegie Award winning author Noel Streatfeild takes us on a thought-provoking tour of tragedy and family life in wartime London in her poignant novel, I Ordered a Table for Six.

Christmas is disrupted by the death of a distant relative in the vicarage . . . but with death comes a substantial inheritance for David, Catherine and their nine children. Catherine resolves to send her eldest children, Edras and Tobit, to a preparatory school and she hires a governess for her younger children. Miss Crosby is a passionate woman striving for women’s emancipation – including emancipation for young and clever Judith from the constraints of marriage . . . But as the First World War erupts the family approaches catastrophe, can all nine children emerge from it unscathed? Carnegie Medal winning Noel Streatfeild showcases courage and endurance in her family wartime novel, Parson’s Nine.

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.

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.

Harriet is told that she must take up ice-skating in order to improve her health. She isn''t much good at it, until she meets Lalla, a young skating star. Now Harriet is getting better on the ice, and Lalla doesn''t like it. Does Harriet want to save their friendship more than she wants to skate?

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.

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.

A collection of short stories and poems.

Proud of her unusual history, a nameless orphan faces with spirit the unbearable conditions of an early twentieth-century English orphanage.