Ballet Shoes (BBC Children's Classics) Audio CD – Unabridged, 7 Aug. 2006

A lovely, lovely book. Funny, sad, informative - it's got the lot. And a mildly happy ending - one gets the feeling that the end is only the beginning. In fact the Fossil sister make an appearance in a later book of Noel Streatfeild's. I don't know how the training the girls received would stand up to today's stage schools - Pop Idol and X Factor it ain't, but it's a perennial favourite and I won't lend my battered copy to anybody, Now it's on my Kindle so I've got it for good.I read this book when I was 7, and again at 15, and 25, and 30 - and now that I'm 54 (+VAT) I'm reading it again. It's the kind of book you want to curl up with on a wet afternoon, or after a lousy day at work when everything has gone wrong. Pure escapism, and great fun.If you enjoyed it, try White Boots and Wintle's Wonders. Every bit as good.

I originally read this story when I was around eight and it's one of those childhood books that I have been meaning to get hold of again and add to my library and I am so glad that I did. They recently did a television adaption of the book which although brilliant just doesn't compare to the book. A timeless story that I have once again really enjoyed reading. The story is about the three Fossil sisters Pauline, Petrova and Posy and how they became to be sisters as they were adopted by their Great Uncle Matthew on his travels otherwise know as GUM. The name Fossil is one they picked themselves and they vow to get into the history books as the name is their very own and no one can say it's because of their ancestors. A really really charming and lovely book that took me back to reading under the duvet with my torch when I was meant to be asleep!

I love this book and I found the end very satisfying. There is a lot of theatre language so it can be a bit confusing at times and it does have some hard words so its about 9+ unless your a very good reader. My favourite character was Pauline and I think it is a shame the authot didn't write more about the Fossils. All in all a very good book.

This is a book about three orphan sisters; Pauline, Petrova and Posy. They are taken in by Great-Uncle Matthew, or Gum for short. and his Niece, Sylvia, looks after them. The three girls attend a dance class where Madame Fidiola prepares them for a life on the stage.I found myself entertained throughout the entire story and wasn't once bored. It is a very light and happy read and I think Noel Streatfeild wrote this story beautifully. I think any girl from ages 7-14 would enjoy this book. Five stars

Having read Ballet Shoes as a child for more times than I could count I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone who knows children between the ages of 9 and 14. It is really a book for girls of that age and I have been reading it taking turns with my grand-daughter - who has absolutely loved it to my great delight.

Ballet shoes is a a good story about three sister that are all adopted the family that were adopted them were low on money and still are but they have to make do with what they have they are all good at different things but they are all offered a scholarship to go to a dance academy instead of being home schooledWill the girls stick together forever or will they go different ways but make sure they still love each otherThis is a exciting story by Noel streatfieald about family and being poor and helping your family earn more money by using your talentedI would recommend this book for children aged 8 and over

My daughter was very pleased with her new book

This was one of my favourite books when I was a child , but re-reading it many years later with a grandchild, I have decided that it is rather dated for today's child .It contains quite old fashioned vocabulary such as 'gramophone' and talks about old money such as shillings .The treatment of the children in the book is somewhat Victorian. It is about three adopted children , and their struggles to achieve careers on the stage or in ballet .The title 'Ballet shoes ' is relevant to the youngest , Posy, who is the only one to achieve major success as she is taken on to train as a ballet dancer by a famous person and you assume she will become professional. The educational standard of the children in the book is way above the dumbed- down standards of today -they speak French , know about opera, ballets and Shakespeare plays ! and that is at primary school age .Only very bright or well-educated children today will keep up .However , Noel Streatfield is a gifted writer adn the book has human interest and universal appeal in the sense that it is about children growing up and making their way in life .

“Making your name worthwhile is a very nice thing to do; it means you must have given distinguished service to your country in some way.” —Noel Streatfeild, Ballet ShoesIt all begins with a pair of shoes!Ballet Shoes, by Noel Streatfeild (1895-1986), was originally published in 1936, the first of what have become known as the popular “shoe books” she wrote. Streatfeild was surprised by its popularity and said it literally rolled off her pen as she wrote. The first edition of Ballet Shoes was illustrated by the author’s older sister, Ruth Gervis, and has become a timeless classic—a beloved children’s chapter book written for ages 8-12, although enjoyed by all. Two movies were made from Ballet Shoes, one in 1975 and one after the author’s death in 2007.Ballet Shoes is a magical tale of joy and wow. It’s a story about the unique childhood of three orphans, growing up as sisters with different origins, looks, and gifts, who discover how they can contribute to the world. The book is loosely based on the personalities of the author and two of her sisters and contains some serious girl power!! It will make you chuckle and smile, while it’s message is a testament that with enough hard work and determination, even the most impossible dreams can come true! You’ll be thinking about it long after the last page has been turned!!“[Anything) to do with happiness—it means hard work.” —Noel Streatfeild, Ballet Shoes

El libro llegó en buen estado, sin embargo, las pastas blandas de las que está hecho son muy delgadas, al igual que las hojas. La calidad general es bastante austera, más la historia de las tres hermanas siempre será de mis favoritas.

I bought this for my granddaughter who loves to dance. She is 11 and quite serious about her dancing, so I hope she enjoys this. It was my favourite book at her age with no hope of dancing in post war Britain, but it opened up that world to me. It is a little "dated" now, but still a joy to read.....

Minha filha de 9 anos adorou .

The book was truly amazing. I read the book over and over and enjoyed it more each time, it is also reasonably priced. I'm going to say this is one of my favorite books of all time.