Happy March, Friends!
I hope you're not sick of seeing another book collection post - lol! I couldn't resist sharing the (current) Noel Streatfeild books in my little home library. (Pssst...if you want to see my Susan Scarlett book collection, CLICK HERE! I'm almost done reading all 12 Dean Street Press Furrowed Middlebrow editions—woo!)
There's something very special about Noel Streatfeild stories...they're heartfelt, family-rich, cozy, real, and full of authentic characters you feel like you know (or want to know). Sometimes I feel frustrated with the "baddies" (usually selfish, pompous, close-minded individuals), but things always seem to turn out alright—and that's why I love her books.
I would love to say that I know a great deal about this lovely, spirited and incredibly talented author, but I only know the smallest amount (at the moment!) You should definitely check out her Wikipedia page to learn more about her fascinating life!
Today, Liz (@pony.books) and I are so excited to do a collab post on Instagram sharing all of our updated Noel Streatfeild treasures for Book Friday Friday!
I really loved my collab last year with Sue (@myownbookjourneys) last year, too! She has the BEST vintage editions—I'm still drooling over them in a serious way! 😍❤️📚
I also wanted to thank Beth of Small Home Comforts for inspiring me to keep reading more NS books this year! Her hashtag of #yearwithstreatfeild2026 is so fun and includes a wonderful variety of titles. I'm following along this year and I hope you will, too!
BOOK RATINGS:
(These are listed in the order that I read them. Only one book I've read as a child. The rest were read in my late 40s until now. Also, you can also find my full reviews of these books on Goodreads!)
Ballet Shoes 5🌟 (child), 3.5🌟 (adult)Saplings 3🌟
The Bell Family/Family Shoes 4🌟
A Vicarage Family 4.5🌟
Caldicott Place 3🌟
Apple Bough 4🌟
Noel Streatfeild's Christmas Stories 4🌟
The Growing Summer 3.5🌟
Thursday's Child 4🌟
New Town/New Shoes 4🌟
Noel Streatfeild's Holiday Stories 4🌟
Christmas with the Chrystals 3.5🌟
The House in Cornwall 4.5🌟
Skating Shoes 5🌟
Theatre Shoes 5🌟
Movie Shoes/The Painted Garden 3.75🌟
The First Book of Ballet 4.75🌟
Dancing Shoes 4🌟
Ballet Shoes for Anna 4.75🌟
2026/2027 TBR:
- Mothering Sunday
- Circus Shoes
- Tennis Shoes
- Party Shoes/Party Frock
- The Children of Primrose Lane
- The Gemma Series (two of the books gifted to me by Sue @myownbookjourneys!)
- By Special Request
- The Years of Grace
- Birthday Book
WISHLIST:
- Noel Streatfeild's Ballet Annual
- It Pays to Be Good
- The Winter is Past
- Noel Streatfeild: A Biography
- Judith
- Caroline England
- The Whicharts
- I Ordered a Table for Six
- Tea by the Nursery Fire
- The Maitlands
- Parson's Nine
- Grass in Piccadilly
NOTE ON FIRST PHOTO IN POST: The photo in top left picture frame was printed out from the National Portrait Gallery website. (Photo by Bassano Ltd.) The photo in the lower right gold picture frame was printed out from Getty Images website. This photo features Noel Streatfeild as she autographs a copy of her book 'The Years of Grace' for actress Barbara Murray (1929 - 2014), circa 1950. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images.)
HELPFUL LINKS:
- Royal Literary Fund
- Story Mole
- Streatfeild: The Story of a Life by Susan Peak
- Books for Keeps
- Persephone Books
- Encyclopedia.com
- Dean Street Press (for Susan Scarlett)
- Ballet Shoes (2007)
- Ballet Shoes (1975)
- Thursday's Child (1972)
- The Growing Summer (1968)
- Aunt Clara (1954)
Wishing you the most wonderful weekend, sweet friends! Let me know your favorite book(s) by Noel Streatfeild in the comments below! 💕❄️🤗❄️💕
