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Great Aunt Dymphna drew herself up. 'You have a whole wing of the house to yourselves. This magnificent kitchen. The glorious world outside to play in. All that the earth brings forth to feed you, and you stand there asking foolish questions until my head reels. Help yourselves, children, help yourselves.' Then, flapping her cloak as if to shoo off a clutter of chickens, she was gone.The four Gareth children lead a quiet life in a London suburb, but when their father, an epidemiologist, gets ill abroad, their mother has to leave to take care of him.
The children go to stay with an eccentric relative they have never met - Great Aunt Dymphna, who lives in a ramshackle house in Ireland. Here, they are not only expected to look after themselves, they also discover they have company - a mysterious boy who announces that his is on the run. Irritating as he is, the children agree to hide him from his pursuers - but who are they? And who is the boy? The children are determined to find out.
About the author
Noel Streatfeild was born in Sussex in 1895 and was one of three sisters. After working in munitions factories and canteens for the armed forces when the First World War broke out, Noel followed her dream of being on stage and went to RADA where she became a professional actress.
She began writing children's books in 1931 and Ballet Shoes was published in 1936. She quickly became one of the most popular authors of her day. She was one of the first winners of the Carnegie Medal and was awarded an OBE in 1983.
Summary
A beautifully written novel by the beloved author of Ballet Shoes. With enchanting illustrations by Edward Ardizzone.
Foreword
A beautifully written novel by the beloved author of Ballet Shoes. With enchanting illustrations by Edward Ardizzone.
