Product Description

Pauline, Petrova and Posy are found as orphaned babies in different parts of the world by eccentric fossil collector and explorer Gum. He adopts them, takes them to his London home and leaves them in the care of his niece Sylvia and the family Nurse. Then off he goes to continue his exploring, saying that he'll be back in five years' time. When the three little girls are old enough, they choose the surname Fossil for themselves and vow to make the name famous. At first they lead privileged and sheltered lives. But when Gum fails to return after five years, Sylvia's money begins to run out. First she is forced to take in some boarders - an engaging and eclectic mix of characters - but then she decides that the girls should go to acting school. This way they will be able to earn some money before they grow up. Pauline adores the school, as she dreams of becoming an actress. Petrova hates it, all she wants to do is learn about cars and planes and engines. Posy loves it too - she is born to be a dancer and the school is the perfect place for her.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7881 in Books
• Published on: 2007-11-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

The Sun, September 10, 2004
A timeless and magical read

From the Inside Flap
Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil are sisters - with a difference. Pauline was saved from a shipwreck as a baby. Petrova was found in a Russian hospital and Posy was from a family so poor that they couldn't look after her. All three were adopted as babies by Great Uncle Matthew, an eccentric and rich explorer . . . who then disappeared, leaving them in the care of his niece Sylvia. The girls grow up in comfort and wealth until their money begins to run out and nobody can track Great Uncle Matthew down. At first Sylvia takes in lodgers but soon even that's not enough. Things look bleak until they hit on an inspired idea: Pauline, Petrova and Posy will take to the stage. But it's not long before the Fossils learn that being a star isn't as easy as they first thought . . . Noel Streatfeild was born in Amberley, Sussex in 1895. Her father was Bishop of Lewes and her great-grandmother was the prison reformer, Elizabeth Fry. She was a mischievous child, often in trouble at home. She and her sisters put on plays for parish causes and, after making munitions during World War I, she went to RADA and trained as an actress. Noel Streatfeild started out writing books for adults, but in 1931 she published her first children's book. Her best-loved novel, Ballet Shoes, was published in 1936. It was so popular, people queued for hours to buy it. In fact, in order to ensure as many people as possible could buy a copy, sales were limited to one per person. The author herself was allowed only two! During World War II, she worked in canteens for the armed forces and for those injured by bombs. She wrote over 80 books in her lifetime and died in 1986.

From the Back Cover
The classic story of sisters, stage school and stardom.

Customer Reviews

Timeless - Excellent
I am never going to be able to do this book justice, but having seen that it has no reviews, I feel that it just has to be represented by someone! I am twenty three, and an avid reader, and of all the books in my life, this is still one of my favorites, and I know that it always will be. It is described as a 'childrens classic', but it could be read by anyone of any age (my mum has just reread her copy AGAIN!) and it will be recognized as a beautiful and engaging book and thoroughly enjoyed. I cannot recommend this book highly enough, and everyone should read it, whether you are an eight year old girl that is obbssesed with ballet, or a forty year old that appreciates wonderful literature

Ballet Shoes
I bought this for my daughter(7 at the time)who is mad on ballet, and it quickly became her favourite book. It is the story of three sisters (who are not really sisters at all, but brought together to live in the same household by chance)and describes all their ups and downs as they train at stage school. My daughter particularly identified with the youngest sister, Posy, an aspiring dancer who is full of character. All three girls are completely believable, and despite the length of time ago it was written, act in many ways just like modern day sisters! The first time round I read it aloud as the vocabulary is a little old-fashioned and complicated for a 7 year old to read unaided. Now 8, my daughter has since read it many, many times over to herself. I didn't read this as a child and I missed out - as an adult I enjoyed reading it as much as my daughter.

my favourite children's book
I love this book so much - it's probably what got me interested in ballet and acting. The story of three orphan girls in post-War London, with their guardian struggling to find the money for drama school, and how bit by bit they learn how to dance, act and be less selfish. I've read it about 20 times.