Té la mateixa vibe que les sagues sobre internats de l’Enid Blyton que m’encantaven amb 10 anys!!! I l’he devorat

Somehow this book passed me by during childhood but I'm so glad that I was introduced to it recently.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story, characters, social history aspect and writing style.

"You've Got Mail!" That was the first thing I thought about when I picked up this book and CD from the library. The history of that movie for me, is that my husband and I consider this 'our' movie. We met on an online pen-pal forum. So we had watched it a million time, give or take. We both are obsessed with books, reading and writing them. So when I saw the title of the book: n  n by Noel Streatfield, I realized that the 'shoe books' were real, not just a title made up for the movie. That, also, brought up the sadness of small family bookstores or other small stores being run out by the big 'Fox' type stores. So as I started reading the book I felt a melancholy mass of emotions.

Those feeling quickly went away. I was soon absorbed into this charming story of three adopted sisters in the 1930's. I loved that the books didn't talk down to children. The vocabulary was more advanced than many adult books of today. And let me mention the narrator, Elizabeth Sastre, was so delightful to listen to as I read the paperback. I now have to find the next book and CD. I want to see what happens next.

My only complaint of the book was the last line in French. There was no interpretation offered. I assume it may have been the same line used previously in the book that was translated. But this was a library book and I already turned it in when I thought of that. Maybe someone could let me know. Meanwhile the book and CD are on my wishlist for my own copies.

3.5 stars. Such a delight! I enjoyed seeing how this simple tale of three adopted sisters would unfold.

Isn't life grand? Here I am, a 60-ish person, raised in a literary home, having read classics by the bushel, and I keep discovering books I missed in my childhood!

This was a charming story of a loveable (but irresponsible) avuncular professor who bundles up unwanted babies, brings them home to his niece, then travels to nether parts for his next geological dig. Actually Gum (Great-uncle Matthew) hardly reckons in the story. The three orphans — Pauline, Petrova, and Posy — are the girls whose fortunes and misfortunes we follow.

I listened with my granddaughter for a while, but the necessary setup of the narrative in the opening chapters didn't twirl her skirts.

Favorite quote:

There is no doubt a new dress is a help under all circumstances.

3.5⭐️

Reading this just made me happy. Ridiculous, but true.

It's really a lovely book, with strong, sensible characters.

I read this to Sophie and she gives it 5 stars!!

I loved this book. When I bought a second hand Portuguese version I didn't know it was the one mentioned in the iconic scene in "you've got mail".. It's such a lovely coulerful story. Wich I liked most was the fact that a group of completely strangers bounded to take care of the education of three little orphan girls. It was a very modern and real family. Also I don't understand why some people find it strange for children to work at the stage to help the family. Come on... They had so much health, education and welfare and today there are lots and lots of children working on TV and fashion with almost no public control and only to be famous... How come is it better?
Appart from that, it's a simple but not very childish writing with captured me.. The end is a little bit odd and rushed but leaves a lot to imagination...

i MUST read this soon!!

My mum bought me a copy of this book when I was 7/8 after I loved A Vicarage Family by Noel Streatfeild. I became a massive fan of her work from that moment and dug out my old copy of Ballet Shoes yesterday after seeing the wonderful new adaptation of it at The National Theatre last week.

Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil live on the Cromwell Road in London in a big house but they are far from wealthy as their Great Uncle Matthew has not returned for years. They start to develop their own hobbies and have lessons at Madame Fidolia's stage Academy while helping Sylvia (their guardian) and Nanna with the household income.

This has lost none of it's charm for me. Streafeild wrote this in 1936 and it was the first book about children going on stage. Even she was shocked by how well it sold as she had been writing for adults before. It still stands up well now. I love the 3 different personalities of the girls and how they join together to earn money on stage although they don't always enjoy it. Especially Petrova who is more of a Tomboy. Streatfeild herself was an actress for 10 years and she just gets it. The highs and the lows but also the importance of being a good person and having integrity.

A wonderful book about children on the stage but also the realities of working hard and the highs and lows of working in the Arts. I am so glad I re-read it!

One of my ultimate comfort novels. If I had a choice, I’d be Posy - who would you be?