Noel Streatfeild (Author)
Noel Streatfeild was born in Sussex in 1895 and was one of three sisters. After working in munitions factories and canteens for the armed forces when the First World War broke out, Noel followed her dream of being on stage and went to RADA where she became a professional actress.

She began writing children's books in 1931 and Ballet Shoes was published in 1936. She quickly became one of the most popular authors of her day. She was one of the first winners of the Carnegie Medal and was awarded an OBE in 1983.

*'Classic Noel Streatfeild at her warm-hearted best. I absolutely loved it' Hilary McKay, author of THE SKYLARKS' WAR

*'Such rewarding reading' Daily Telegraph

There are stories for every reader in this delightful collection - exciting crime-solving adventures; nervous young actors in the spotlight for the first time; unforgettable holidays and unlikely friendships.

Featuring beautiful illustrations by PETER BAILEY

Stories include:

The Plain One; Devon Mettle; Chicken for Supper; Flag's Circus; The Secret; Coralie; Ordinary Me; Cows Eat Flowers; Andrew's Trout; The Old Fool; Let's Go Coaching; Howard; The Quiet Holiday; Roberta; Green Silk

Originally written for annuals and magazines from the 1930s-70s, these newly discovered stories make captivating reading for Noel Streatfeild fans of all ages.

'Classic Noel Streatfeild at her warm-hearted best. I absolutely adored it' HILARY MACKAY

There are stories for everyone in this captivating collection by one of the most beloved writers in children's literature: unforgettable holidays and unlikely friendships; young performers on stage for the first time and exciting crime-solving adventures.

'Their charm lies in their evocation of the small, everyday dramas of childhood . . . Such rewarding reading'
***** Daily Telegraph

Illustrated by Peter Bailey

This volume of newly discovered stories will be an exciting discovery for Streatfeild fans of all ages. By the beloved author of Ballet Shoes.An enchanting collection, full of wonderful old friends, (the Bell family, the Fossils' darling Doctors Smith and Jakes, Harriet and Lalla!) Classic Noel Streatfeild at her warm-hearted best. I absolutely loved itThis heart-warming collection of stories will stoke nostalgia for holidays from bygone years with tales of crime-solving adventures, unlikely friendships and fun-filled afternoons spent berry-picking, fly-fishing and decamped to the homes of doting grandparents . . . will appeal to readers of all agesThese 14 stories, which were written between the 30s and 70s, were recently found buried among Streatfeild's papers. As one might guess from their dreamily nostalgic titles ("Chicken for Supper", "Let's Go Coaching"), there are few pantomime twists or cliffhanger endings. Instead, their charm lies in their evocation of the small, everyday dramas of childhood . . . Such rewarding reading.