The First Book of the Ballet

A little girl, enraptured by her first ballet and determined to take ballet training, learns the hard work and discipline involved in this art. Includes exercises and steps, a history of ballet, and stories of classic ballets. About this author edit data Mary Noel Streatfeild, known as Noel Streatfeild, is an author, best known and loved for her children's books including Ballet Shoes and Circus Shoes. She was born on Christmas Eve, 1895, the daughter of William Champion Streatfeild and Janet Venn and the second of six children to be born to the couple. Sister Ruth was the oldest, after Noel came Barbara, William ('Bill'), Joyce (who died of TB prior to her second birthday) and Richenda. Ruth and Noel attended Hastings and St. Leonard's Ladies' College in 1910. Upon adulthood, she began theater work, and spent approximately 10 years in the theater.