Simpson (another of the boarders) in his garage. Petrova, however, would rather spend time working with Mr.

Pauline soon shows talent as an actress, while Posy is clearly a gifted ballerina. This means that as each child reaches the age of twelve, she will be able to work professionally on the stage. After seeing Posy dance, she arranges for the head of the school, Madame Fidolia, to train them free of charge. Two of the boarders, Doctor Smith and Doctor Jakes, take over the education of the children (much to the relief of Sylvia, who had been teaching them herself when she could no longer afford to send them to school.) Doctor Jakes tells Pauline that ‘the three of you might make the name of Fossil really important, really worth while, and if you do, it’s all your own.’ As a result of this, the three sisters make a vow: ‘We three Fossils vow to try and put our names in history books because it’s our very own and nobody can say it’s because of our grandfathers.’ Another boarder, Theo Dane, is a ballet teacher at The Children’s Academy of Dancing and Stage Training. When Gum goes away on an extended journey, money becomes tight, and Syliva decides to take in boarders. They are looked after by Gum’s great-niece, Sylvia, and her old nurse, Nana. Pauline was the only survivor from a shipwrecked boat, Petrova the orphaned child of a Russian couple, and Posy the daughter of a widowed ballet dancer.

Posy loves it too she is born to be a dancer and the school is the perfect place for her.The description of the book according to the Noel Streatfeild website reads: “ Ballet Shoes tells the story of Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil, who were adopted as babies by Great Uncle Matthew (or “Gum”). Petrova hates it, all she wants to do is learn about cars and planes and engines. Pauline adores the school, as she dreams of becoming an actress. This way they will be able to earn some money before they grow up. 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. But when Gum fails to return after five years, Sylvia’s money begins to run out. At first they lead privileged and sheltered lives. When the three little girls are old enough, they choose the surname Fossil for themselves and vow to make the name famous.

Then off he goes to continue his exploring, saying that he’ll be back in five years’ time. He adopts them, takes them to his London home and leaves them in the care of his niece Sylvia and the family Nurse. Pauline, Petrova and Posy are found as orphaned babies in different parts of the world by eccentric fossil collector and explorer Gum.

Streatfeild shoe books