REVIEW: Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild

Set in the late 1930s during the Great Depression, “Ballet Shoes” is about three little girls Pauline, Petrova and Posy who are adopted (by name) by an elderly, absent-minded geologist called Matthew Brown. Each of the three girls have interesting pasts, which come to the fore as they grow and discover themselves.

Because Great-Uncle-Matthew or GUM has no time for babies, the girls are raised by his great-niece, Sylvia and her nanny, Nana.

Pauline is a beautiful child while Petrova is more of a tomboy. Posy, the daughter of a young ballerina who “has no time for babies” has a natural dancer’s streak.

Anyway, GUM’s funds for them runs out and he does not return as promised. Sylvia and Nana are forced to take in boarders, who each play an important role in the girls’ personal development.

First is Mr. Simpson, who runs a garage – he becomes Petrova’s best friend because both of them share a love for automobiles. And Petrova finds a kindred spirit in him because he doesn’t give a hoot about ballet, dresses or how a girl should behave properly.

Second are Dr. Jake and Dr. Smith, a pair of retired professors who volunteer to coach the little girls in Maths and literature. The educators are a godsend for Sylvia because she can no longer afford to send the girls to school.

Last is Theo Dane, a dance teacher at the Children’s Academy of Dancing and Stage Training. She introduces the girls to the Academy, where they learn ballet and performing on stage.

Pauline is a fast favourite due to her natural beauty and grace, much to the envy of the top pupil Winifred, who is overshadowed by plain looks and poverty. Pauline soon starts to earn a living from the roles she wins and soon becomes quite the prima donna…

Poor Petrova suffers at the Academy as she has two left feet. At their first meeting, Madame Fidolia, the retired Russian prima ballerina who runs the Academy is filled with hope at the prospect of developing a fellow countrywoman. Of course, the cars and aeroplane mad Petrova is ANYTHING but a ballerina!

Little Posy is considered too young for serious ballet or stage training but her natural reaction to music soon catches the eye of Madame Fidolia…

I first read “Ballet Shoes” when I was 11 – like any little girl who dreams of becoming a ballerina or a princess, I loved reading about the girls’ preparing their numerous ballet attire, their first class and also of Pauline’s rehearsals!

Besides that, I identified with Petrova being out of place among her more feminine sisters because I was rather tomboyish although I didn’t like cars, aeroplanes or engines. I just didn’t like the kind of stuff most girls my age liked e.g. cute stationery, dainty items and keeping clean and neat all the time (grins).

If your little girl is currently keen on ballet, “Ballet Shoes” is a great read, especially for a REAL feel of the excitement, beauty, hard work, pains, frustrations, airs and squabbles little girls (and adults) experience preparing for stage performances.

Interested? Buy a copy OR check out these other ballet books:

Tagged as: dance, theater