Hetty Feather facts for kids
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| Author | Jacqueline Wilson |
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| Illustrator | Nick Sharratt |
| Cover artist | Nick Sharratt |
| Country | United Kingdom |
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Publication date
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2009 |
| Pages | 309 pp (first edition, hardback) |
| ISBN | 978-0-385-61444-3 (first edition, hardback) |
| Followed by | Sapphire Battersea |
Hetty Feather is a popular book written by the famous author Jacqueline Wilson. It tells the exciting story of a young girl named Hetty. She is left at the Foundling Hospital as a baby. The book follows her journey as she grows up in a foster home. Later, she returns to the Foundling Hospital when she is five years old, full of questions about her past.
Jacqueline Wilson suggests this book series is best for readers aged 11 to 15. The CBBC channel even made a TV show based on the book. Isabel Clifton plays Hetty in the series, which first aired in 2015. In the United States, BYUtv started showing it in March 2018. The next book in the series is Sapphire Battersea.
Contents
Hetty's Story: The Plot
Hetty is left at the Foundling Hospital when she is just a newborn. Babies left at the hospital are sent to live with foster families until they turn five. Then, they return to the hospital to start their education. Hetty spends her early years with Peg and John Cotton, who she believes are her real parents. She doesn't know she will have to leave them one day. Other foster children live with the Cottons, along with Peg and John's own kids. One day, Hetty goes to a circus. There, she meets Madame Adeline, a performer with bright red hair. Hetty thinks Adeline might be her birth mother because Hetty also has red hair.
A few weeks later, it's time for Hetty and her foster brother Gideon to go back to the Foundling Hospital. Everyone in the Cotton family is very sad. Hetty and Jem, another foster brother, promise to find each other again. Life at the hospital is tough for Hetty. She finds it strict and unfair. She often rebels or speaks her mind, even though she is expected to be quiet and follow rules. This makes the Matrons, who are in charge, angry. They punish her often. But Hetty still manages to make friends with other foundlings. She also befriends some staff, like Ida, a kind kitchen maid.
When Hetty is a bit older, the children from the Foundling Hospital go to the Queen's Golden Jubilee. During the trip, Hetty sees a circus. She hopes it's Madame Adeline's circus. When she finds out it's not, Hetty runs away to find the right one and Madame Adeline. When she finally meets Adeline, Hetty is surprised. Adeline is much older than she seemed, and her red hair is actually a wig. Madame Adeline is kind to Hetty but tells her she must go back to the hospital.
Hetty runs away again. She ends up in a dangerous part of the city. A scary man tries to grab her, but an older flower girl named Sissy saves her. Sissy takes Hetty to her home. There, Hetty meets Sissy's very sick sister, Lil. The next day, Sissy and Hetty go out to sell flowers. They meet a writer named Sarah Smith. Sarah takes them to a restaurant. She asks them questions for her new book, "Penny for a Posy." Hetty makes up a grand story about her life as a flower girl. After hearing Hetty's story, Sarah Smith reveals she is a new supporter of the hospital. She recognizes Hetty as the runaway girl. But Sarah praises Hetty's amazing storytelling skills. Sissy leaves, and Sarah takes Hetty back to the hospital. She buys Hetty ink and a book to write her own memories.
When Hetty returns to the hospital, Ida collapses when she sees her. Sarah Smith tells the Matron that Hetty was kidnapped. This means Hetty won't be punished. Hetty is allowed to visit Ida in her attic room. There, Ida tells Hetty a big secret: she is Hetty's biological mother! Ida has been working at the hospital to be near Hetty. Hetty's father is a red-haired sailor, but Ida has no contact with him. Ida tells Hetty they must keep this a secret. If anyone finds out, Ida will lose her job and won't be able to see Hetty anymore. The book ends with Ida and Hetty looking forward to a happy future together.
Main Characters
- Hetty Feather – The main character of the story. She was left at the Foundling Hospital as a baby. She is known for her bright red hair and her strong, fiery personality.
- Gideon Smeed – Hetty's foster brother. He is five days younger than Hetty and is quite shy.
- Jem – Another of Hetty's foster brothers. He is Peg and John's youngest biological son. He really likes Hetty and promises to marry her when she leaves the hospital.
- Saul – Hetty's foster brother. He sometimes bullies others. He has a "withered leg" and is two years older than Hetty. He sadly dies from influenza at the Foundling Hospital.
- Martha – Hetty's foster sister. She has poor eyesight and is three years older than Hetty. She sings beautifully and has good manners.
- Peg – Hetty's foster mother. She is sometimes strict with Hetty for her naughty behavior, but she loves all the children.
- John – Hetty's foster father. He works as a farmer. He is kind but can be bossy towards the children.
- Ida Battersea – A kind kitchen maid at the Foundling Hospital. She is later revealed to be Hetty Feather's biological mother.
- Polly Renfrew – Hetty's best friend at the Foundling Hospital. She is adopted by a couple whose daughter had passed away.
- Matron Bottomly – The head of the senior school at the Foundling Hospital. Hetty secretly calls her "Matron Stinking Bottomly." She is the main person who causes trouble for Hetty.
- Madame Adeline – A circus performer. Hetty feels a strong connection to her and believes Adeline might be her mother, but this turns out not to be true.
- Sissy – A fourteen-year-old flower girl. She saves Hetty from a strange man. She lives with her sister Lil.
- Lil – Sissy's younger sister. She has a very serious cough and eventually passes away.
- Miss Sarah Smith – A wealthy and successful author. She is writing a book called "Penny for a Posy" about young flower sellers. She becomes a new supporter of the Foundling Hospital.
TV Show Adaptation
The book Hetty Feather was turned into a TV show by CBBC Productions. Helen Blakeman was the lead writer. It first aired on the British TV channel CBBC in May 2015. The show was filmed in Kent, England. Some of the filming locations included Cobham Hall School (which looked like an orphanage) and The Historic Dockyard Chatham (which looked like Victorian London streets). Isabel Clifton played Hetty. Each series has ten 30-minute episodes. There were six series in total, shown between 2015 and 2020.
Stage Adaptation
In 2014, Hetty Feather was also made into a play for the stage. The play first opened at the Rose Theatre, Kingston in April 2014. Then, it went on a tour around the UK. After that, it moved to the West End in London, opening at the Vaudeville Theatre on August 5th. The play was even nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Family and Entertainment Show. Emma Reeves adapted the book for the stage, and Sally Cookson directed it. Phoebe Thomas played Hetty in the main role.
Original Cast Highlights
- Phoebe Thomas as Hetty Feather
- Paul Mundell as Gideon
- Isaac Stanmore as Saul
- Nikki Warwick as Madame Adeline
Later Performances
The show was brought back for more performances in 2015–2016. It had another run in London's West End at the Duke of York's Theatre in summer 2015. Then, it toured the UK again. In June 2016, there were also performances in Florida, USA. The play was revived again for the Christmas season in 2017–2018 at the Nuffield Theatre in Southampton. You can even watch the play online on BroadwayHD.
