Ballet Shoes is a wonderful story about three adopted sisters, Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil. Each one of them was found when they were babies, by ”Gum” (Great Uncle Mathew), an old palaeontologist and professor constantly travelling throughout the world. He lives with his great-niece, Sylvia and her nanny from when she was a child. When Gum leaves on a long expedition, he leaves some money to support the family for five years. However, Gum doesn’t return after five years, and money is starting to run out. As the family has no idea where he is, they start taking in boarders, as they lived in a big, six story house. The boarders include Mr.and Mrs. Simpson, Dr. Jakes and Dr. Smith who are tutors who will soon take over the girls’ education when they can’t afford the school’s tuition anymore, and Miss Theo Dane, a dance teacher, who arranges for the three girls to start courses at the Children’s Academy of Dancing and Stage Training. At that academy, the main teacher is Madame Fidolia, a retired and famous Russian ballet dancer. There, Pauline discovers a talent and passion for acting and Posy a love for dancing. When the children grow, they start financially supporting the household, by acting and dancing in different productions. Petrol is only interested in motors, cars, and planes. We are carried away by each one of these girls, who pursue their respective passion in life.
I really enjoyed this book that talks about family, jealousy, but also true attachment and support between siblings. It captivated and amused me, at the same time!
I also found out while researching this book, that the same author has written many other books, interestingly entitled: Tennis Shoes, Circus Shoes, Family Shoes, etc… Looking forward to reading them all!
Rating: 
(5 / 5)
Release Date: 1936
Author: Noël Streatfield
Publishing House: J. M. Dent & Sons