Dancing Shoes

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One of Streatfeild's best books! - Rated
I received a copy of this book some forty years ago! It was then published as "Wintle's Wonders", which I think is a much more interesting and appropriate title for the book than "Dancing Shoes", as it refers to the children's dancing troupe run by Rachel's Aunt, Mrs. Wintle,which the orphaned Rachel and her adopted sister Hilary are obliged to join. I adored the book when I first read it and I am not ashamed to admit that I still re-read it from time to time and adore it just as much. The characterisation is superb, the plot has some interesting and unpredictable twists to it, and the whole story works out most satisfactorily at the end. I am sure that this book would be appreciated by children nowadays even though it was written in a different time and about a very different era. Try it and see - I guarantee that you won't be able to put it down!

This book is very good. - Rated
With the death of Rachel's mother, she and her adopted sister go to live with their aunt and uncle in London, where their aunt runs Mrs. Wintle's School of Dancing, where their cousin is the star, and spoiled brat of the school, Dulcie. But with help from kind Miss Purser who ran the house of the dancing school, to Uncle Tom, who understands that not everyone wants to be a Wintle's Little Wonder, and Mrs. Storm, who would quit her job if it were not for Rachel. Her friends help her get through having to become a Little Wonder, to trying to get Heather in the Royal Ballet.

Dancing Shoes - Rated
This is another book by Noel Streatfield, author of the classic 'Ballet Shoes.' I don't know why, but I love this book every time I read it, though I'm not a ballet fanatic or anything. It follows the story of Rachel and Hilary, orphans who are forced to go and live with their unsympathetic aunt and weak uncle. It's a bit old fashioned, but it doesn't really matter once you get into the story. The ending isn't so predictable unlike many other ballet books and it doesn't all turn out exactly the way the characters want it to. I read this book first when I was little and still enjoy it years later, so don't be put off by the babyish cover. Try it!