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Noel Streatfeild's Christmas Stories
From the author of Ballet Shoes In this captivating collection of festive stories, there are auditions on stage and antics on ice, trips to the pantomime, holiday adventures, and laughter shared with family and friends. Charming, heartwarming and funny, this exciting new collection is sure to be a hit with readers of all ages. Originally written for annuals, magazines and the radio from the 1940s-60s, these stories by this much-loved author have never been collected before and will be a welcome discovery to all Streatfeild's admirers. Stories
The Audition
The Bells Keep Twelfth Night
The Moss Rose
Thimble
The Princess
The Chain
Christmas at Collers
The Pantomime Goose
Skating to the Stars
The Audition
The Bells Keep Twelfth Night
The Moss Rose
Thimble
The Princess
The Chain
Christmas at Collers
The Pantomime Goose
Skating to the Stars
176 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2018
19 people are currently reading
465 people want to read
About the author
Noel Streatfeild
158 books609 followersMary Noel Streatfeild, known as Noel Streatfeild, was an author best known and loved for her children's books, including Ballet Shoes and Circus Shoes. She also wrote romances under the pseudonym
Susan Scarlett
.
She was born on Christmas Eve, 1895, the daughter of William Champion Streatfeild and Janet Venn and the second of six children to be born to the couple. Sister Ruth was the oldest, after Noel came Barbara, William ('Bill'), Joyce (who died of TB prior to her second birthday) and Richenda. Ruth and Noel attended Hastings and St. Leonard's Ladies' College in 1910. As an adult, she began theater work, and spent approximately 10 years in the theater.
During the Great War, in 1915 Noel worked first as a volunteer in a soldier's hospital kitchen near Eastbourne Vicarage and later produced two plays with her sister Ruth. When things took a turn for the worse on the Front in 1916 she moved to London and obtained a job making munitions in Woolwich Arsenal. At the end of the war in January 1919, Noel enrolled at the Academy of Dramatic Art (later Royal Academy) in London.
In 1930, she began writing her first adult novel, The Whicharts, published in 1931. In June 1932, she was elected to membership of PEN. Early in 1936, Mabel Carey, children's editor of J. M. Dent and Sons, asks Noel to write a children's story about the theatre, which led to Noel completing Ballet Shoes in mid-1936. In 28 September 1936, when Ballet Shoes was published, it became an immediate best seller.
According to Angela Bull, Ballet Shoes was a reworked version of The Whicharts. Elder sister Ruth Gervis illustrated the book, which was published on the 28th September, 1936. At the time, the plot and general 'attitude' of the book was highly original, and destined to provide an outline for countless other ballet books down the years until this day. The first known book to be set at a stage school, the first ballet story to be set in London, the first to feature upper middle class society, the first to show the limits of amateurism and possibly the first to show children as self-reliant, able to survive without running to grownups when things went wrong.
In 1937, Noel traveled with Bertram Mills Circus to research The Circus is Coming (also known as Circus Shoes). She won the Carnegie gold medal in February 1939 for this book. In 1940, World War II began, and Noel began war-related work from 1940-1945. During this time, she wrote four adult novels, five children's books, nine romances, and innumerable articles and short stories. On May 10th, 1941, her flat was destroyed by a bomb. Shortly after WWII is over, in 1947, Noel traveled to America to research film studios for her book The Painted Garden. In 1949, she began delivering lectures on children's books. Between 1949 and 1953, her plays, The Bell Family radio serials played on the Children's Hour and were frequently voted top play of the year.
Early in 1960s, she decided to stop writing adult novels, but did write some autobiographical novels, such as A Vicarage Family in 1963. She also had written 12 romance novels under the pen name "Susan Scarlett." Her children's books number at least 58 titles. From July to December 1979, she suffered a series of small strokes and moved into a nursing home. In 1983, she received the honor Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). On 11 September 1986, she passed away in a nursing home.
She was born on Christmas Eve, 1895, the daughter of William Champion Streatfeild and Janet Venn and the second of six children to be born to the couple. Sister Ruth was the oldest, after Noel came Barbara, William ('Bill'), Joyce (who died of TB prior to her second birthday) and Richenda. Ruth and Noel attended Hastings and St. Leonard's Ladies' College in 1910. As an adult, she began theater work, and spent approximately 10 years in the theater.
During the Great War, in 1915 Noel worked first as a volunteer in a soldier's hospital kitchen near Eastbourne Vicarage and later produced two plays with her sister Ruth. When things took a turn for the worse on the Front in 1916 she moved to London and obtained a job making munitions in Woolwich Arsenal. At the end of the war in January 1919, Noel enrolled at the Academy of Dramatic Art (later Royal Academy) in London.
In 1930, she began writing her first adult novel, The Whicharts, published in 1931. In June 1932, she was elected to membership of PEN. Early in 1936, Mabel Carey, children's editor of J. M. Dent and Sons, asks Noel to write a children's story about the theatre, which led to Noel completing Ballet Shoes in mid-1936. In 28 September 1936, when Ballet Shoes was published, it became an immediate best seller.
According to Angela Bull, Ballet Shoes was a reworked version of The Whicharts. Elder sister Ruth Gervis illustrated the book, which was published on the 28th September, 1936. At the time, the plot and general 'attitude' of the book was highly original, and destined to provide an outline for countless other ballet books down the years until this day. The first known book to be set at a stage school, the first ballet story to be set in London, the first to feature upper middle class society, the first to show the limits of amateurism and possibly the first to show children as self-reliant, able to survive without running to grownups when things went wrong.
In 1937, Noel traveled with Bertram Mills Circus to research The Circus is Coming (also known as Circus Shoes). She won the Carnegie gold medal in February 1939 for this book. In 1940, World War II began, and Noel began war-related work from 1940-1945. During this time, she wrote four adult novels, five children's books, nine romances, and innumerable articles and short stories. On May 10th, 1941, her flat was destroyed by a bomb. Shortly after WWII is over, in 1947, Noel traveled to America to research film studios for her book The Painted Garden. In 1949, she began delivering lectures on children's books. Between 1949 and 1953, her plays, The Bell Family radio serials played on the Children's Hour and were frequently voted top play of the year.
Early in 1960s, she decided to stop writing adult novels, but did write some autobiographical novels, such as A Vicarage Family in 1963. She also had written 12 romance novels under the pen name "Susan Scarlett." Her children's books number at least 58 titles. From July to December 1979, she suffered a series of small strokes and moved into a nursing home. In 1983, she received the honor Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). On 11 September 1986, she passed away in a nursing home.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
December 31, 2024
Picked this up on Kindle deal last year, I think, and promptly forgot about it until yesterday! What a treat! If you were as obsessed by her "Shoes" books as I was as a kid, this is just what you need. A collection of stories published in children's magazines in the '40's and '50's, here are little girls getting to dance, and skate, in Christmas performances, city children discovering the joys of an old fashioned country Christmas, and even one girl doing her best to play the goose in a Christmas pantomime!
January 1, 2019
Beautiful. Streatfeild was my favourite author as a child having written Ballet Shoes and I adored all these short stories just as much. Highly recommend it!
January 3, 2023
Interesting to listen to, but not my favourite from her books.
December 8, 2023
This is EXACTLY the sort of book I want to read at Christmastime! Heartwarming, sweet, uplifting short stories featuring realistic people in realistic situations that are treated with humor and kindness.
My favorite stories were "The Moss Rose," "The Princess," "The Chain," and "Christmas at Collers." I absolutely loved this collection! A new favorite, for sure.
My favorite stories were "The Moss Rose," "The Princess," "The Chain," and "Christmas at Collers." I absolutely loved this collection! A new favorite, for sure.
December 2, 2019
Just delightful , perfect December read!
December 9, 2018
This is absolutely delightful. I'm not saying they showcase the best of Noel Streatfeild (you need Ballet Shoes for that), but they're warm and festive and full of The True Spirit of Christmas, and I'm not ashamed to say that several made me weep a little bit! The book itself is beautiful, with lovely illustrations throughout, and would make an excellent gift for young readers and Noel Streatfeild obsessives!
December 17, 2020
“It was extraordinary how easily a farmhouse egg, followed by a mince pie, went down, even at a time of unutterable grief”
.
.
.
Ballet shoes was one of my favourite books as a child, mainly because I loved to dance. I loved the rhythms of tap, the discipline of ballet and the sheer exuberant freedom of modern. It’s something I’ve never lost and, even now, I miss being able to move my body that way, with controlled leaps and spins across the floor
As you would expect, this collection of Noel Streatfeild’s Christmas stories for children, contains tales of theatrical families. The stories have been gathered together from annuals and magazines from the 1940’s and 50’s. I like her writing because the dream of success is always tempered by a dose of financial reality. Her families are not the richest nor the most successful, but are made more relatable because money is not limitless and compromises have to be made. Cold reality, however, doesn’t impinge on the warm Christmas fuzzies of this collection
One of my favourite stories was Christmas at Collers. Three London children are made to leave the city to have Christmas in the country because their grandmother is sick. Bored at first, their trip turns into a blur of making decorations, sledging and rehearsing for the Nativity play and the children declare it their best Christmas ever! Featuring pantomime geese, ice-skating and auditions, all with a theatrical flourish, this is Christmas in book-form with whipped cream and sprinkles on the top
.
.
.
Ballet shoes was one of my favourite books as a child, mainly because I loved to dance. I loved the rhythms of tap, the discipline of ballet and the sheer exuberant freedom of modern. It’s something I’ve never lost and, even now, I miss being able to move my body that way, with controlled leaps and spins across the floor
As you would expect, this collection of Noel Streatfeild’s Christmas stories for children, contains tales of theatrical families. The stories have been gathered together from annuals and magazines from the 1940’s and 50’s. I like her writing because the dream of success is always tempered by a dose of financial reality. Her families are not the richest nor the most successful, but are made more relatable because money is not limitless and compromises have to be made. Cold reality, however, doesn’t impinge on the warm Christmas fuzzies of this collection
One of my favourite stories was Christmas at Collers. Three London children are made to leave the city to have Christmas in the country because their grandmother is sick. Bored at first, their trip turns into a blur of making decorations, sledging and rehearsing for the Nativity play and the children declare it their best Christmas ever! Featuring pantomime geese, ice-skating and auditions, all with a theatrical flourish, this is Christmas in book-form with whipped cream and sprinkles on the top
December 6, 2021
Charming old fashioned short stories .
January 25, 2019
For my full review: https://girlwithherheadinabook.co.uk/...
For the first time in living memory, this year Father Christmas did not get my note and none of the books I asked for turned up under the tree. This is not a complaint - with the arrival of our little Astronaut, it was a very different kind of Christmas. However, an entirely bookless festive period felt a little off and so I decided I deserved one item from my list. It was not so very difficult about which to pick - the news that a previously unreleased collection of Noel Streatfeild stories were hitting the shelves had made the little girl in me dance with glee. Featuring nine short stories, Noel Streatfeild's Christmas Stories is a treat for fans both old and new.Aside from 'The Bells Keep Twelfth Night', which featured The Bell Family, the stories were unrelated to Streatfeild's other books. Each was fairly short, making for excellent bedtime reading even for the exhausted new parent. Years ago, I borrowed an old Girl's Own annual from a friend of my grandmother and the stories in Christmas Stories reminded me a lot of the kind of thing one found in there. Further delving revealed that most of the material did indeed first see the light in that kind of format, either in children's annuals, magazines and newspapers or on the radio. Ranging in publication date from the 1940s to 1960s, the book does have the slight feeling of an antique - this is a kind of publishing market which has more or less vanished.
Despite the form being radically different to her usual material, Streatfeild's distinctive voice still shines through. The word 'gorgeous' still turns up far more than it strictly needs to and 'sweetly pretty' makes its usual appearance too. Yet more than that, there is the theatrical sparkle which so bewitched me the first time that I picked up Ballet Shoes aged seven years old. Almost every story features a character managing to get on stage somehow or other. Streatfeild always seemed to understand that even the shyest and least dramatically-inclined child would enjoy daydreaming about having a chance in the limelight and these stories are no exception.
That being said, there were some chapters that I preferred to others; having read The Bell Family, I was not overjoyed to encounter them again and Miss Virginia Bell had not improved with keeping. Still, I loved 'The Moss Rose' and 'Thimble', plus I adored the literature fantasy unleashed in 'The Chain'. Some stories were reminiscent of Streatfeild's longer stories, with 'Christmas at Collers' having a similar moral to The Growing Summer but then others were markedly different, with 'The Princess' far more of an overt fairytale than anything I had ever read by Streatfeild before. The whole book felt like an escapist treat, the bookish equivalent of a heavily iced cupcake. Even the front cover is beautiful, and I speak as someone who tries not to judge the book by the cover art. To use a word that Streatfeild would have approved of, Christmas Stories is simply 'gorgeous'.
For the first time in living memory, this year Father Christmas did not get my note and none of the books I asked for turned up under the tree. This is not a complaint - with the arrival of our little Astronaut, it was a very different kind of Christmas. However, an entirely bookless festive period felt a little off and so I decided I deserved one item from my list. It was not so very difficult about which to pick - the news that a previously unreleased collection of Noel Streatfeild stories were hitting the shelves had made the little girl in me dance with glee. Featuring nine short stories, Noel Streatfeild's Christmas Stories is a treat for fans both old and new.Aside from 'The Bells Keep Twelfth Night', which featured The Bell Family, the stories were unrelated to Streatfeild's other books. Each was fairly short, making for excellent bedtime reading even for the exhausted new parent. Years ago, I borrowed an old Girl's Own annual from a friend of my grandmother and the stories in Christmas Stories reminded me a lot of the kind of thing one found in there. Further delving revealed that most of the material did indeed first see the light in that kind of format, either in children's annuals, magazines and newspapers or on the radio. Ranging in publication date from the 1940s to 1960s, the book does have the slight feeling of an antique - this is a kind of publishing market which has more or less vanished.
Despite the form being radically different to her usual material, Streatfeild's distinctive voice still shines through. The word 'gorgeous' still turns up far more than it strictly needs to and 'sweetly pretty' makes its usual appearance too. Yet more than that, there is the theatrical sparkle which so bewitched me the first time that I picked up Ballet Shoes aged seven years old. Almost every story features a character managing to get on stage somehow or other. Streatfeild always seemed to understand that even the shyest and least dramatically-inclined child would enjoy daydreaming about having a chance in the limelight and these stories are no exception.
That being said, there were some chapters that I preferred to others; having read The Bell Family, I was not overjoyed to encounter them again and Miss Virginia Bell had not improved with keeping. Still, I loved 'The Moss Rose' and 'Thimble', plus I adored the literature fantasy unleashed in 'The Chain'. Some stories were reminiscent of Streatfeild's longer stories, with 'Christmas at Collers' having a similar moral to The Growing Summer but then others were markedly different, with 'The Princess' far more of an overt fairytale than anything I had ever read by Streatfeild before. The whole book felt like an escapist treat, the bookish equivalent of a heavily iced cupcake. Even the front cover is beautiful, and I speak as someone who tries not to judge the book by the cover art. To use a word that Streatfeild would have approved of, Christmas Stories is simply 'gorgeous'.
January 12, 2023
This is A lovely book, perfect for those moments sitting quietly by the fire, being taken back to a happy time of childhood this book is a must!
December 26, 2024
Pleasant holiday stories, but very slight. I think even if I'd read them as a child I'd have felt a little bit "Is that all?" about most of these.
December 21, 2022
Really cute tales and Christmas stories
November 13, 2019
Absolutely darling.
December 26, 2019
Quite enjoyable for the season, but I prefer her longer books to her short stories.
December 18, 2024
I was hoping to like this a bit more. The stories all involved Christmas, but they also all felt like half-written tales, where you're missing the rest of the book. Almost as if they were taken out of context, though according to the back page, they were written as stand-alone stories. Whatever the case, they're all simple little tales of children and Christmas, where everything is going poorly and then everything goes right-side-up by the end. It's not a bad little book, but I kept thinking as I was reading it that if I was reading it aloud to my kids, they would be annoyed by the stories. So I wouldn't necessarily recommend, but wouldn't tell you to avoid, either.
January 1, 2021
I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was gladly surprised with this collection of christmas short stories! While they could be accused of being repetitive, I enjoyed them all individually. They wonderfully capture a specific English character and point in time, with a very distinct narrative voice. I can't wait to read more of Streatfeild!!!
June 5, 2024
A sweet collection of children's short Christmas stories. I particularly enjoyed the stories featuring ballet. These stories were all written between 1949 and 1961 (with most being written in 1950/51), so expect some outdated views. A perfect December read if you enjoy heartwarming and uplifting stories. All in all, I found it delightful.
December 17, 2021
From the author of the beloved Ballet Shoes, this collection of stories was written between 1949 and 1962. All of them are set in England, with children as the protagonists. My favorite was "The Princess", a cute story of mistaken identity.
December 20, 2022
This was really sweet but I am quite picky with children's lit... it really needs to be something special to capture my heart.
December 31, 2024
Really fun collection! Some stories seem much more crafted than others, but all lighthearted and fun. I plan on reading some aloud next Advent.
December 15, 2018
A beautiful set of short stories by Noel Streatfeild, all set around or featuring Christmas in one way or another. Like most of Noel's stories, dancing and theatre feature heavily. These are quite oldfashioned stories now, but that only adds to their charm. This is a fantastic collection for children of 8 to 11.
But the case was not back in half an hour, nor was it back by dinner time on Christmas Day, though it was not for want of trying. The police promised to let the Wards know the moment there was news. Jock's Scoutmaster rang other Scoutmasters, and they rang the guides, and the guides rang Brown Owls, until finally there did not seem to be a street within miles of South Kensington where someone was not asking 'Do you know a little girl called Emily whose grandfather is staying with her for Christmas, whose birthday is in December?'
It was, of course, a miserable Christmas for the Wards.
But the case was not back in half an hour, nor was it back by dinner time on Christmas Day, though it was not for want of trying. The police promised to let the Wards know the moment there was news. Jock's Scoutmaster rang other Scoutmasters, and they rang the guides, and the guides rang Brown Owls, until finally there did not seem to be a street within miles of South Kensington where someone was not asking 'Do you know a little girl called Emily whose grandfather is staying with her for Christmas, whose birthday is in December?'
It was, of course, a miserable Christmas for the Wards.
December 26, 2024
A nostalgic Christmas Day read of this collection written for children but enjoyable for adults yearning for the magical Yuletides of long ago. Streatfield’s stories famously draw on her theatrical background, so that many of the characters are young students of ballet or theatre, often facing financial or other adversity with pluck and fortitude. In The Audition, Lavinia saves the day by gaining a key dancing role which will stave off adult family debt and ensure a lovely Christmas. In The Pantomime Goose the loss of a father’s income in rep playing the Golden bird when he is injured is made up by a cunning impersonation which impresses a theatre impresario. The Moss Rose features a mix up between suitcases on an over-crowded train nearly resulting in a lost part in a Boxing Day skating show for Lavinia but ending happily with a new family friend. Christmas at the Collers draws on country traditions of Mummer’s shows and simpler pleasures than metropolitan treats such as the much longed for pantomime in The Bells keep 12 th Night. Spiffing fun.
May 1, 2022
These stories are magical and all associated with Christmas. They may be a little tame for the modern child but at least they are classless. father may be a vet in on story but not enough animals are sick for him to carry on supporting his twins' skating career. Another family lives in three rooms. Yes, there's a princess in on and a very middle class in another. But not everyone can make ends meet. As one would expect from Noel Streatfield ballet shoes, skates and the stages feature often in the stories.
December 18, 2018
Noel Streatfeild was my favourite author when I was a child but somehow these short stories passed me by! They have a cosy feel and are just right for this time of year. It's possible some young readers today may find some aspects unfamiliar as they were written in different times but hopefully will still find them enjoyable. Several stories feature pantomimes and children dancing or ice skating.
November 23, 2020
A delightful collection of tales, all with a touch of Noel Streatfeild magic. The stories are sweet, but not in a fake, saccharine way. Many of the tales have a touch of sadness behind them, such a dead parent, or lack of money, but even in the light of troubles joy and thankfulness are able to rise to the top. So all in all, a lovely read in the lead up to Christmas.
December 10, 2021
So many lovely short stories! I’ve enjoyed so many of Noel Streatfeild’s books this year and this one is in the top 3. Her writing is so light, energetic and fun. Not only is the VMC cover adorable, but the selection of short stories is perfect. Definitely a treat to read during Christmas time! 🤩🎄❤️
May 5, 2022
Noel Streatfeild is one of my favorite authors; I grew up reading her Shoes books. So when I saw this collection I could not resist. all but one of the stories were new to me — and I enjoyed them all. Recommended.
December 10, 2024
Lovely shorts stories from a favorite author
Noel Streatfeild writes lovely stories and has been a favorite author for YEARS! These short stories are all the sort that immediately draw you in. I would be perfectly pleased to read an entire book about any of the families featured here and, as I was reading, was sometimes rudely awakened when the short ended! A wonderful book and highly recommended.
Noel Streatfeild writes lovely stories and has been a favorite author for YEARS! These short stories are all the sort that immediately draw you in. I would be perfectly pleased to read an entire book about any of the families featured here and, as I was reading, was sometimes rudely awakened when the short ended! A wonderful book and highly recommended.
December 15, 2018
As in most short stories collections, they were not all as good. I found "The Bells Keep Twelfth Night", "The Moss Rose", "Christmas at Collers" and "Skating to the Stars" lovely and touching, while "The Audition", "Thimble" and "The Chain" for instance weren't really noticeable to me. But, even though I wasn't deeply moved, stories were overall charmingly old-fashion and festive.
January 19, 2019
Very sweet stories that any Noel Steatfeild fan will enjoy! My favorites were the ballet stories and "Christmas at Collers" (spoiled city children learn to appreciate small-town life when they are forced to spend the holidays in the rural village of their mother's childhood), but I loved them all!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews