Dancing Shoes Audiobook, by Noel Streatfeild Play Audiobook Sample

Dancing Shoes Audiobook

Dancing Shoes Audiobook, by Noel Streatfeild Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Elizabeth Sastre Publisher: Listening Library Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 3.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 2.75 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: January 2005 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781400098866

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

80

Longest Chapter Length:

05:33 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

02:43 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

04:07 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

4

Other Audiobooks Written by Noel Streatfeild: > View All...

Publisher Description

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!

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"Formative for me. Streatfeild's unconventional families undoubtedly influenced my ideas of what can and should be "family", and her portrayal of the business of art gave me a more realistic idea of artistry from the outset. Dancing Shoes is my favorite of the Shoes series. I'm still not sure how it captivated me for so many reads as a kid, but it held up to my rediscovery. As an adult, I identified even more with Rachel in her desire to make things conform to what she believes as right, and her sense of responsibility, to the point of trying to run Hilary's life, and the need growing up to sort out my pursuits and identity from those for whom I felt responsible. I liked her development, as her snobbery was chipped away at, and she and Hilary reversed roles. Uncle Tom (so much like Mr Bennett in P&P!), as well as Pursey, rescued the book from being another Frances Hodgson Burnett story where everyone dumps on the orphans - the balance kept things in the real world for me. I liked that a backstory was given for Mrs. W. - you can't quite ever hate her as a result. I think the portrayal of "working women" (and girls, in this case) still has surprising pertinence, and Hilary's final "I'm gonna get married and have lots of babies" is so great. I think a lot of Hilary's "laziness" will drop away as she's not being hassled into doing things just because she has a knack for them, and she'll bring a lot of energy and ingenuity to being a mom. Dear characters."

— Rachel (4 out of 5 stars)

Dancing Shoes Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.05555555555556 out of 54.05555555555556 out of 54.05555555555556 out of 54.05555555555556 out of 54.05555555555556 out of 5 (4.06)
5 Stars: 12
4 Stars: 15
3 Stars: 8
2 Stars: 1
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I just love the "Shoes" series. Charming children's classics that always prove to be a comforting choice; simple and sweet. "Dancing Shoes" is an overlooked gem that will always have a place on my bookshelf. "

    — Kara, 1/28/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I had never read any of the "Shoes" books - I guess I just didn't run into them as a child. Typical story of plucky orphans and a spoiled child who receives a much-needed come-uppance, but better written than most. "

    — Erin, 1/27/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The best of the 3 "Shoes" books that I've read. Ballet Shoes and Theater Shoes both divided the reader's attention among three protagonists. By focusing on just one main character (Rachel), Dancing Shoes allowed me to really get to know her and become attached. "

    — Emily, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I was excited to find this little book, because it completes the trilogy of the shoes books, and I read and enjoyed the other two, even though they are children's books. The three books really are charming and touching, and I am glad I read them. I first wanted to when I heard about them in the movie, "You've Got Mail", and now I have. "

    — Janet, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Rachel and Hilary had to go to Rachels aunts house.and they had to dance but Rachel couldn't dance but she told Hilary that she had to dance.Itwas perfect at the end because Hilary listened to her sister.Auryn 7yo "

    — Twyla, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I read it because of "You've Got Mail." I wasn't that impressed, but am willing to read the other "Shoe" books and see if there's any improvement. "

    — Katherine, 1/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " a great re-read for feeling sad. now i actually am motherless, there is more sympathy. at least i don't have to live with a dispicable aunt cora! "

    — Caitlinleah, 1/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I didn't like this book as much as " Ballet Shoes ". It was alright though. "

    — Sonia, 12/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I read this book after readinbg Ballet shoes and found that I loved both. This one had great, relatable characters whom I loved after the first chapter. "

    — April, 12/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I absolutely loved this book as a young girl (elementary age 3-5). If you love dance you'll love this book. It was one of my most favorite books when I was young. "

    — Kelly, 11/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I went through a Shoes phase right before and right after my daughter was born. In the movie You've Got Mail, my heart really broke when Meg Ryan's character was in the chain bookstore, talking about the Shoes series. Which until Emma Watson made the recent movie, had long lain forgotten. "

    — Arlene, 11/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " O.k it was really for people younger than me but it was good "

    — Gabrielle, 10/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not up to the standard of Ballet Shoes, but still very enjoyable. Believable characters. "

    — Leila, 10/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book was good, but I definently enjoyed Ballet Shoes much better. It is about to little girls named Rachel and Hilary who go to live with the Aunt and their cousin the stuck-up Dulsie Wintle. "

    — Hannah*Inky*, 4/6/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Again, it's the relationship of sisters, but they're not true sisters. The one part that really annoys me is how everyone misunderstands Rachel, so, so, much about Hilary's dancing! "

    — Ellie, 11/13/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was really cute. I loved the story. :) meant for younger girls, but still a fun read. :D "

    — Kelli, 9/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Very good! I feel like I'm in the story! I got mad whenever Dulcie was mean! "

    — Sweet, 8/11/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " These book are for little girls, but they're so adorable and hopeful and mesmorizing. I temember each of them, and loved them dearly as a child. I havne't read them in years and years, but I remember the characters like childhood friends. Sometimes, the best cure for the flu is a children's book. "

    — Maryanne, 7/31/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This is my favorite of the shoes books. I enjoyed the story line the best. It is a definite recommend to any young reader I know. "

    — Samantha97, 6/3/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book was okay. The plot and all was good, but, Rachel kind of annoys me because she's, like, pushing Hilary and MAKING her dance, instead of just letting Hilary choose. And Mrs. W. and her daughter are both just annoying, but it's still okay. "

    — Brigitte, 1/7/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I listened to a sound recording of this book and the reader was excellent! I have always liked Noel Streatfeild, so I was expecting a very good story; I was not disappointed. The book was read by Elizabeth Sastre, who did a fantastic job, making the story even better! "

    — Beth, 12/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Very well written with endearing characters, It was a great book up until the end where I would have liked it to have been a little more depthful and certain(she leaves you to decide the details of how you want it to end, a style of writing some prefer but I don't). "

    — Flora, 11/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I heard of these books from...you guessed it, "You've got mail." I was browsing in the library several weeks ago and happened to see these books. I really liked the story and enjoyed reading them. They are a nice easy read. "

    — Audra, 5/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I think this is my favorite of the "Shoes" books. "

    — Magda, 11/14/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was really cute. I loved the story. :) meant for younger girls, but still a fun read. :D "

    — Kelli, 10/7/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I read this book after readinbg Ballet shoes and found that I loved both. This one had great, relatable characters whom I loved after the first chapter. "

    — April, 8/11/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I don't like this one as much as Ballet Shoes, but it's still pretty great classic kid-lit. "

    — Becca, 3/22/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " a great re-read for feeling sad. now i actually am motherless, there is more sympathy. at least i don't have to live with a dispicable aunt cora! "

    — Caitlinleah, 2/27/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book was good, but I definently enjoyed Ballet Shoes much better. It is about to little girls named Rachel and Hilary who go to live with the Aunt and their cousin the stuck-up Dulsie Wintle. "

    — Hannah, 12/29/2009
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not even nearly as good as Ballet Shoes or Theater Shoes, but still entertaining, with a perfect feel-good ending. "

    — Stephanie, 12/27/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was my favorite of the 'Shoe' books when I was a little girl, and it was a delight to read again. "

    — Kate, 10/19/2009
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I can't say it was badly written - in fact, I think it was better written than Ballet Shoes, with more original characters. But I could not stand reading about Dulcie and her mother, and I mostly thought it was annoying, even though Rachel and Hilary were lovely. And the last lines... were strange. "

    — Ruby, 10/5/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I liked this book a lot, but not quite as much Ballet Shoes or Theater Shoes. I liked the story line well enough, but I was annoyed that Hilary never wanted to practice or work at all. She reminded me of my piano students who also sometimes annoy me. "

    — Anna, 9/9/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This one is my favorite on so far "

    — Rachel, 9/7/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I absolutely loved this book as a young girl (elementary age 3-5). If you love dance you'll love this book. It was one of my most favorite books when I was young. "

    — Kelly, 8/30/2009
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This is basically a good story, however where Rachel has to learn to let Hilary live her own life and go for her own dreams. However, I didn't like the ending to the story though it was written in the fifties for young girls and Hilary really wasn't ambitious as her adopted sister and cousin. "

    — Michele, 8/29/2009

About Noel Streatfeild

Noel 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.

About Elizabeth Sastre

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.