Three orphan girls. A pair of pink slippers. A lifetime in the spotlight. Read the classic that has captivated generations! Pauline, Petrova, and Posy love their quiet life together. They are orphans who have been raised as sisters, and when their new family needs money, the girls want to help. They decide to join the Children's Academy of Dancing and Stage Training to earn their keep. Each girl works hard following her dream. Pauline is destined for the movies. Posy is a born dancer. And Petrova? She finds she'd rather be a pilot than perform a pirouette. This beautiful children's classic is perfect for girls who love to dream about ballet, friendship, and finding their own special talents. Adult readers may remember them as the "Shoes" books from You've Got Mail!
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"I finally got around to reading Ballet Shoes, a book my daughter adores and has three copies of, and see why it has been loved by children and adults for decades. Now that I've spent time with Pauline, Petrova, and Posy, my life will never be quite the same. :) "
— Jenny (5 out of 5 stars)
" I would have given it 5 starts but the narrator was awful. I loved this book as a child. It's a shame that the reader is so dreadful. Nana speaks badly dropping her h's etc which would never have happened with upstairs staff in those days. Much better version read by Jan Francis. "
— Ro, 6/14/2017" One of my all time favorites to this day. "
— Nancy, 1/13/2014" This book has been sitting on my bookshelf for five or more years. I got it as a reward for one of those summer reading programs at the library (when I was still young enough to be eligible for it). I don't know why I chose it, but I never really wanted to read it. I picked it up recently because I had nothing to read and because You've Got Mail inspired me to read it. This book took me so long to finish because I simply wasn't interested in the story. A third of the book was dedicated to descriptions of the girls' few outfits and how much money they earned, spent, or had. "
— vcheung, 1/11/2014" It was a cute story. ^^ Glad to have read it. I would recommend it for girls age 9-14. "
— Megan, 1/11/2014" Ballet Shoes was a pleasant story with likeable characters. The illustrations were charming. "
— Tressa, 1/11/2014" I loved this book, and I definitely need to read more Streatfield. "
— Clara, 1/2/2014" I loved this book! I wish I would have read it when I was a girl. "
— Dianna, 12/27/2013" I enjoyed this book more than I thought it would - since it was in the juvenile collection. It was a fun book and I learned a lot about the time period and about England at the time. It was very enjoyable. "
— Celese, 12/21/2013" read this book only because of the movie, "You've Got Mail" I really liked it, I even saw the dvd it is a bit different from the book though, great read for girls "
— Teri, 12/17/2013" I have wanted to read these books ever since the movie You've got mail. I saw it in the library and wasn't disappointed. I loved following the girls through their experiences. Loved it! Looking forward to the next book. "
— Dani, 10/20/2013" As a child, I was beguiled by Streatfeild's series on dancing, including this book, BALLET SHOES. I'd read them again and again under the covers at night, leading my mother to take me to the eye doctor because I was blinking and squinting so much. "
— Elana, 9/16/2013" I read this a long time ago but it was great. :) "
— Michelle, 7/24/2013" neat story about 3 girls :) "
— Balletprincess, 7/18/2013" A very captivating story of three girls at a school for the arts. I definitely recommend it to dancers, especially! "
— Halley, 4/2/2013" Reread this old favorite after watching the 2007 DVD version. A wonderful children's book. "
— Linden, 12/30/2012" I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had a little more background in ballet and understood what movement the names were referring to. "
— Lori, 12/27/2012" Beautiful tale of three sisters - loved the characterization of each sister. Not quite got the 'Wow' factor to gain those extra stars - simply just because it wasn't a book that I couldn't put down. Brilliant story to read when you don't have time to get sucked in! "
— Lucy, 10/28/2012" Noel Streatfield is just a really good author. Every single book of hers that I've read I've enjoyed. Plus I kind of liked the movie also. So please read this book and trust me you'll enjoy it. "
— Fashiongirlgoldberg, 9/29/2012" I absolutely love this book I read the whole thing in a few days. Pauline, Petrova, and Posy are amazing characters. Five stars yay!! "
— Hermione, 8/5/2012" Saw the movie on DVD and loved it. Great book for young girls. "
— Pamela, 8/1/2012" Most of us probably read this in childhood, and now it's reissued in an attractive (though pink) paperback. I liked it upon re-reading--a cozy British atmosphere gets me every time, but also the details of showbiz life for kids in the 30s are really interesting. "
— Phoebe, 5/22/2012" Well, a classic of children's literature that deserves the name. Influenced by the author's name, I can't help thinking that it is A Little Princess as written by Noel Coward. I love the orphans learning theater skills to make money. "
— Kaethe, 4/24/2012" A sweet story but it did not really move me, and was over just as things started to get interesting. "
— Patty, 12/19/2011" My favorite book as a child (though I really don't like this new cover). Streatfeild writes about performing children with warmth an insight. My first copy is so warn from re-reading that the pages are falling out. A beloved book. "
— Stasia, 9/27/2011" Needs no introduction and, if it does, go and get it out of the library. No childhood is complete that doesn't include an annual re-reading of 'Ballet Shoes'. "
— Hilary, 9/17/2011" This book was cute and amusing. Although the style of writing was a little outdated it was still an enjoyable story. "
— Alspitz, 8/6/2011" This is a wonderful book about three sisters, Pauline, Petrova, and Posie, who get enrolled in ballet classes and all take something different out of it and become different things. Highly reccomend it. "
— Audrey, 5/19/2011" Fun story about three orphans who are adopted and eventually must learn to dance and act to support their family. First in a trilogy (I believe) that I want to finish. Light hearted and I enjoyed the characters. "
— Jenny, 5/10/2011" I love this book! The situation that they don't have enough money. I was so glad that the 3 children Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil were adopted by GUM.A wonderful book. "
— Sonia, 5/5/2011" I love this book. it is one of my favorites. I love the dancing and acting in it and the storyline. "
— Emily, 4/17/2011" I absolutely love this book I read the whole thing in a few days. Pauline, Petrova, and Posy are amazing characters. Five stars yay!! "
— Hermione, 3/3/2011" This is one of the very first books I checked out from the library all by myself. I remember really liking it, and reading the entire series of Shoes books in about a week. Sadly, I don't actually remember any of them at all anymore--time for a reread I guess! "
— Lara, 3/2/2011" Super cute! It was nice to read a children's book from the 30's without it being, like, weirdly racist or anything. "
— Jenn, 2/17/2011" wow, i read this book so many times, i literally KILLED my copy! i love this book! "
— Kristal, 2/3/2011" Really good book about three orphans who learn to survive by dancing, acting, and Flying?. "
— Leonela, 1/23/2011" This is a wonderful book about learning and growing as a unique family. The characters are well crafted and every little girl can find a character to identify with. "
— Megan, 1/20/2011Noel Streatfeild (1895-1986) was an author, most famous for her children’s books, which included Ballet Shoes. Several of her novels have been adapted for film and television and she was notably mentioned by Meg Ryan’s character in the movie You’ve Got Mail.
Elizabeth Sastre has narrated dozens of audiobooks, including Bed Rest by Sarah Bilston, Brick Lane by Monica Ali, and The Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde, which was an AudioFile Best Audiobook of the Year in 2004.