Noel Streatfeild - Children's Author

Mary Noel Streatfeild OBE (December 24, 1895–September 11, 1986), known as Noel Streatfeild, was an author, most famous for her talent of writing children's books including Ballet Shoes (1936). She was born in Sussex, England, the second of three daughters of a local vicar. Her life is described in three semi-autobiographical novels: A Vicarage Family, Away from the Vicarage and Beyond the Vicarage. Noel was considered the "plain" sister in her family, but she shone in performances with her sisters for charity. Upon reaching adulthood she sought a career in theatre, and gained ten years of experience as an actress, working for the Charles Doran and Arthur Bourchier companies. Her familiarity with the stage was the basis for many of her popular books for children, which are often about children struggling with careers in the arts.

In 1969 London Weekend Television produced a six-episode serial of "The Growing Summer", with Wendy Hiller as Aunt Dymphna. It was filmed in Bantry (Bantry House), in Ahakista and near Kilcrohane on the Sheep's Head Peninsula.

Noel Streatfeild was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1983.

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Featured Books, with extracts by Noel Streatfeild

Ballet Shoes 75th Anniversary Edition
Noel Streatfeild
Chosen by Sally Nicholls, March 2012 Guest Editor: "All of my novels are about families, and Ballet Shoes is at its heart a family story. I loved this book as a child, and it was the family I loved most;...
Featured in: 7+ readers | 9+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 07/04/2011
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Theatre Shoes
Noel Streatfeild
Spiritedly drawn, an authentic recreation of the excitement of life in the theatre spills off the pages as Sorrel, Holly and Mark are sent off to learn all they can from the remarkable Madame Fidola. Orphaned during the war, the...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 9+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/04/2009
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Theatre Shoes
Noel Streatfeild
From publisher Jane Nissen Books:  Spiritedly drawn, an authentic recreation of the excitement of life in the theatre spills off the pages as Sorrel, Holly and Mark are sent off to learn all they can from the remarkable Madame Fidola....
Featured in: 11+ readers | 9+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/04/2009
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Party Shoes
Noel Streatfeild
When Selina gets a parcel containing a beautiful dress and a pair of stunning shoes she is delighted. But, when can she wear them? It is war time and there are'nt any opportunities for such things. She and her cousins...
Featured in: 7+ readers | 9+ readers | Children's Classics | eBooks
Format: Hardback - Released: 02/08/2007
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Circus Shoes
Noel Streatfeild
When their snobbish Aunt Rebecca dies, leaving them alone and penniless, Peter and Santa are faced with the dreadful prospect of life in separate orphanages. Desperate, they run away to find their only living relative - Uncle Gus - who...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 9+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/09/2006
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Tennis Shoes
Noel Streatfeild
A wonderfully sharp and funny story by one of the 20th century’s most enduring authors.  The story may be set in a vanished world but to children of now they will still enjoy finding out about life in a bygone...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 9+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/05/2001
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