Noel Streatfeild

Mary Noel Streatfeild (24 December 1895–11 September 1986), known as Noel, grew up in a vicarage family, the second of five children, fascinated with ballet and an avid book reader. She was dubbed rebellious in every school she went to as a child.

During World War One, she worked in the kitchens of St Mary’s Hospital, which tended to the returning injured troops, and later as a munitions worker at The Woolwich Arsenal.

Post war she went on to study acting at RADA. She pursued an acting career for over ten years, before turning to writing after her father’s death.

She began by writing books for adults, until a request came for a children’s book about the theatre, where she could share her personal experiences.

Ballet Shoes (1936) was her first children’s novel and it became an instant success. It was followed by over 80 books, including Tennis Shoes (1937), The Circus is Coming (1938, also as Circus Shoes), The House in Cornwall (1940), Curtain Up (1944, also as Theater Shoes), Party Frock (1946, also as Party Shoes), The Painted Garden (1949, also as Movie Shoes), White Boots (1951, also as Skating Shoes), The Bell Family (1954, also as Family Shoes), Wintle’s Wonders (1957, also as Dancing Shoes), Apple Bough (1962, also as Traveling Shoes) and The Growing Summer (1966).

Noel Streatfeild was one of the first winners of the Carnegie Medal and was awarded an OBE in 1983.