Noel Streatfeild

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Mary Noel Streatfeild OBE (December 24, 1895–September 11, 1986), known as Noel Streatfield, was an author, most famous for her of 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.

[edit] Partial bibliography

Children's fiction

Ballet Shoes (1936)
Tennis Shoes (1937)
The Circus is Coming (1938) (also published as: Circus Shoes)
Curtain Up (1944) (also published as: Theater Shoes)
Party Frock (1946) (also published as: Party Shoes)
The Painted Garden (1949) (significantly abridged and published in the U.S. as: Movie Shoes)
White Boots (1951) (also published as: Skating Shoes)
The Fearless Treasure (1953)
The Bell Family (1954) (also published as: Family Shoes)
Wintle's Wonders (1957) (also published as: Dancing Shoes)
Apple Bough (1962) (also published as: Traveling Shoes)
A Vicarage Family (1963)
The Children on the Top Floor (1964)
Away from the Vicarage (1965)
The Growing Summer (1966) (also published as: The Magic Summer)
Caldicott Place (1967) (also published as: The Family at Caldicott Place)
The "Gemma" series (1968-9)
Thursday's Child (1970)
Beyond the Vicarage (1971)
Ballet Shoes for Anna (1972)
When the Siren Wailed (1974) (also published as: When the Sirens Wailed)
Far To Go (1976) (a sequel to Thursday's Child)