Three Noel Streatfeild Books to Discover
When you hear someone talking about Noel Streatfeild books, chances are they’ll mention one of her most successful stories, usually in the Shoes series: Ballet Shoes or Theater Shoes (UK title—Curtain Up) or Skating Shoes (UK title—White Boots). And to be honest, I’m always excited when I see people talk about reading any Streatfeild book, because although some of the Shoes books achieved considerable popularity here in the USA, they just never quite attained the same status as other classic children’s novels.
Having been a Streatfeild fan since the age of nine, I’m delighted whenever I get the chance to introduce readers to some of her lesser-known stories. So without further ado, here’s a list of three books I’d love to share with you:
The Painted Garden (1949)
One of Noel Streatfeild’s favorite books was The Secret Garden, and this novel she published in 1949 is a clever retelling of that story. The Painted Garden follows ten-year-old Jane Winter, a middle child who has a tendency to get into trouble, as her family moves from rainy England to sunny California not long after World War II. Once in the picturesque town of Santa Monica, Jane (to her immense surprise) is cast as Mary Lennox in a major film production of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic story. She has to learn how to deal with a difficult co-star and manage her temper, or risk losing the role and her one chance of importance. It’s a lovely book that has memorable characters and some of Streatfeild’s best atmospheric writing. Be sure to get the UK edition with this title, though—the US version (Movie Shoes) is abridged.
Caldicott Place (1967)
This is one of Streatfeild’s most emotionally moving stories, and it completely captured my heart the first time I read it (and on many subsequent rereadings). This is the story of a family who inherits an old manor house that was once grand but is now run-down and in need of attention. But the Johnstone family is in need of a new home after their father’s car accident, and not only do they gradually fix up the house, they take in several children who also need a place to live. At first, personalities clash and there are numerous challenges and misunderstandings—the youngest child tries to run away before one of the older girls convinces her to stay—but the ending is marvelously happy and satisfying. It’s safe to say that this book has one of my all-time favorite finales. My first copy of this book was a US edition called The Family at Caldicott Place, but to my knowledge there are few differences in the two texts. The only major difference I’ve found between the two versions is that the UK publication has more chapter breaks (and, therefore, chapter titles).
The Growing Summer (1966)
I will likely be talking more about this story in the summer, when I plan to re-read it (again!), but it’s definitely worth including here too. If you haven’t yet heard me discuss this tale of four siblings and their summer adventures in a mysterious Ireland setting, you’re certainly going to want to pick it up now. This book follows the Gareth children as they are uprooted to the home of their unpredictable Great-Aunt Dymphna, where they have to learn how to cope with complex responsibilities and secrets. The reason why I recommend this book so often is because I think it will appeal those who love Elizabeth Enright’s summery books or Edward Eager’s magical tales, and I know there are tons of fans of those books. This sometimes overlooked Streatfeild story fits right in with those, and I hope you’ll give it a try! (P.S.—I recently bought my first UK copy of this story but haven’t read it yet. I don’t think there are many text changes from my US edition called The Magic Summer.)
Do you have a lesser-known Streatfeild favorite? If so, I would love to hear about it!
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(I am not writing in all caps, but I would like to) I did not know that Movie Shoes was abridged! I have bought The Painted Garden, which apparently has FIFTY MORE PAGES (couldn’t help myself). It arrives in May and I’m very excited.
Aww, yay! I’m so glad you were able to find a copy! 🙂
What are the extra pages? Or, what was missing from the abridged edition? I bought a copy of the Swish of the curtain recently (not Streatfeild, but another vintage children’s book I’d read as a kid in the eighties). I was surprised to find two whole chapters had been omitted from my 1980s version. But when I read them, I wasn’t that surprised. One of them was really classist, about an entertainment being put on for working class children. The attitudes expressed were of their time, but I could see could be problematic without context when read by modern children. The second chapter was about a midnight trip by the protagonists to go ice skating without telling anyone. I suppose the editor might have had safety concerns. Anyway, it was interesting to see what was left out, and think about the potential reasons.
Off the top of my head, I think some of their long trip to California was cut from Movie Shoes?
I also really like the painted garden. I love the travel descriptions, especially the train journey, the cultural transplanting impact on the children, and the cameo appearance of Pauline and Posy Fossil, and Garnie.
Yes! Love the Fossil appearance!
UK readers should also note that the Puffin edition of The Painted Garden has the same abridgement.
Yes! Hopefully readers can find full versions. 🙂
Apple Bough / Traveling Shoes is one of my favorites – Sebastian is a violin prodigy, and his 3 siblings Myra, Wolfgang, and Ettie, must accompany him as his parents take him to perform around the world. Myra decides they need to stop traveling and have a home again. All the usual characters – kindly, but oblivious parents, a warm and wise nanny/housekeeper, and the four siblings – each with different personalities & talents. A fun read. Although this book also had a US “Shoes” retitle, it is not included in the current set of 6 “Shoes” books on Amazon, so it is sometimes overlooked.
I recently re-read this one and enjoyed it so much too!
Hi Anna Rose;
I am not familiar with these titles by Noel Streatfeild. Of course the Shoe books are ones that I have read. I enjoy Noel Streatfeild’s writing and know I will love these books too. Thank You for sharing another informative and interesting post.
Happy seed planting
Marion
Thank you, Marion! I know, isn’t her writing wonderful?
Thank You Anna Rose for these new Noel Streatfeild books. Congratulations on finishing the knitted quilt. It is lovely. Will be looking forward to your next book in the Spring 2024. Have a good week. God Bless.
Marilyn
Thank you so much, Marilyn! I hope you enjoy reading Lucy next year!
Anna, thanks for the reminder about Noel Streatfeild. I don’t think I’ve read the books you mentioned, so I reserved them at the library. In the process, I found FAR TO GO, the sequel to THURSDAY’S CHILD–neither of which I ever read–and enjoyed it for the first time. Always fun to find a “new” book by a favorite author–Skating Shoes and Dancing Shoes have been life-long favorites. 🙂
The Painted Garden is a long time favorite of mine. I grew up reading Movie Shoes. As an adult I discovered the English editions were different – and IMHO so much better. I found a copy of The Painted Garden on E-bay and have since collected the English versions of most of her books.
Congratulations Anna Rose on the upcoming of your next book. May it be as successful as “The Star That Always Stays”.
Joan