I have always loved Noel Streatfeild's books and as a child I got my library to ILL them for me or hunted through second hand book stores to find all of them. She tells the perfect "girls stories". I was always able to find one character in each book that was my favorite. They definitely stand up to re-reads. ( )

Originally published as The party frock (1946) ( )

This classic for children was originally published under the title 'Party Frock'. It's the story of a pageant, an idea that grows after Selina is sent a gorgeous dress and satin shoes from the USA, shortly before the end of World War II. Her cousins are highly motivated, in different ways, but the pageant would have been a small and rather disjointed affair had it not been for Philip, home from the war with an injured arm.

Realistic people, a plot that feels believable (if unlikely), some humour, some tear-jerking moments, and a great story. One of my childhood favourites, and I was delighted to find that it was back in print.

Highly recommended to children who like this kind of fiction, and nostalgic adults like myself who read Noel Streatfeild avidly in our childhood and teens.

Latest longer review: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2023/11/party-shoes-by-noel-streatfeild.htm... ( )

While not the first Streatfeild book I would give someone, any fan will feel right at home. ( )

I didn't enjoy this as much as a story as a portrayal of life as the war ends in England. Set in 1945, it's the story of a dress, Cream Organdie over a cream satin sip, with rushed square shoulders and short puffed sleeves. It also had a pair of satin shoes to match and a blue shash for the dress and bow for the hair. Sent to Selina who is living with her uncle for the duration of the war, the family rack their brains to come up with a reason for her to wear it, so they settle on a pageant.

And then they start to organise it, and everyone in the village gets involved and there are a lot of characters and strain from what the war has done to everyone. It's interesting to see and interesting to watch the characters grow and evolve. Selina is a teenager and having to deal with a lot of the stresses that a war brings to the world.

Lots of detail about staging and oranising an event like this, an interesting read and an interesting look at life during war from the point of view of teenagers. ( )