Wintle's Wonders facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | Noel Streatfeild |
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| Illustrator | Richard Kennedy (UK) Richard Floethe (US) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Collins |
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Publication date
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1957 |
| Pages | 256 pp |
| ISBN | 978-0-340-62663-4 |
Wintle's Wonders is an exciting children's book written by Noel Streatfeild. It's all about a group of young performers in a theater show. The book first came out in 1957. In the United States, it was called Dancing Shoes. Later, some UK versions also used this name. This happened because many of Noel Streatfeild's books were renamed to connect them with her very popular book, Ballet Shoes. Noel Streatfeild used her own experiences as an actress to write Wintle's Wonders.
Story of Wintle's Wonders
The story begins with Rachel Lennox and her adopted sister Hilary. They live with Rachel's mother. Their father, George Lennox, was a rising film star. Sadly, he died when the girls were seven. This left the family without much money. They had to rent out rooms to make ends meet.
Hilary's birth mother was a dancer. So, Rachel and her mother really wanted Hilary to become a ballerina. Hilary was good at ballet. But she wasn't very interested in it.
When the girls were ten, their mother passed away. This happened just before Hilary's audition for the Royal Ballet School. The girls then went to live with their Uncle Tom. He was their father's brother. They also lived with his wife, Cora Wintle, and their daughter, Dulcie.
Aunt Cora ran a dancing school. She taught girls how to perform in shows. These shows included pantomimes and musicals. Her dance groups were called "Mrs Wintle's Little Wonders." Dulcie, who was a bit older, was pretty and a great dancer. But her mother spoiled her a lot.
Mrs. Wintle first only wanted to take Rachel. Rachel was a blood relative. But she changed her mind about Hilary. She saw how talented Hilary was at dancing. Rachel was shocked by the dancing taught at Mrs. Wintle's school. It included tap, musical comedy, and acrobatics. Rachel still wanted Hilary to do ballet.
Rachel also had to train as a Little Wonder. She worked hard, but she wasn't a good dancer. However, she was great at her regular school lessons. She also excelled in elocution and acting classes. This made her a quiet rival to her cousin Dulcie. Mrs. Storm, their teacher, gave Rachel extra elocution lessons. Hilary loved dancing, especially acrobatics. Rachel tried to get Hilary to stick with ballet. But Hilary kept loving acrobatics more.
Rachel learned that at age fifteen, she could train for something else. This excited her. She hoped to send Hilary to the Royal Ballet School later. Meanwhile, Rachel kept working hard at dancing. But her aunt still didn't like her lack of enthusiasm. Dulcie, on the other hand, became a star. She got jobs in pantomimes and on TV. This made her very proud and a bit conceited.
Rachel soon started working too. She hated being on stage. She was happy to be an understudy. She also disliked her Wonder uniform. Hilary became Dulcie's understudy. It became clear that Hilary was as good as Dulcie, especially in comedy. This worried Dulcie. She wondered if her star status was safe. But Hilary, though she loved dancing, was lazy. She didn't like putting in too much effort.
Dulcie had a period with no work. She had been very popular in show business. Then, an offer for a film came up. Dulcie was immediately put forward for the role. She really wanted a film contract. This would make her a star of both stage and screen. Mrs. Wintle was sure Dulcie would get it.
Dulcie went for her film audition. But she wasn't what the director wanted. He thought Dulcie was pretty and talented. But she couldn't truly feel the role. Rachel had come along to the audition. The director saw Rachel reading. He realized Rachel had the face he was looking for. Rachel's acting talent, taught by Mrs. Storm, shone through. Rachel got the film contract, and Dulcie got nothing. Mrs. Wintle was very angry with Mrs. Storm. But she couldn't do anything. Rachel thought about using her film money to send Hilary to ballet school right away. But Hilary told her she wouldn't go. Hilary gently explained it was pointless to make her do something she didn't love. Rachel then gave up on the ballet idea for Hilary. Rachel looked forward to her own bright future.
Main characters
Rachel Lennox is a serious and responsible girl. She tries to take care of herself and her adopted sister Hilary. This happens after they become orphans.
Hilary Lennox is Rachel's adopted sister. They are very close. Rachel wants Hilary to be a ballerina. But Hilary prefers tap, acrobatics, and musical comedy.
The Wintles family
Cora Wintle is Rachel and Hilary's aunt. She used to be a dancer. Now, she runs a dance school.
Tom Lennox is Cora's husband. He is a painter. He doesn't care much about dance. He becomes a good friend and protector to Rachel.
Dulcie Wintle is Cora and Tom's daughter. She is a talented dancer. But she is also proud and a bit snobbish. She is jealous of Hilary and dislikes Rachel.
People at school
Mrs Purser, also called Pursie, is the person who makes costumes. She is also the housekeeper at Mrs. Wintle's school.
Mrs Storm is Dulcie, Rachel, and Hilary's schoolteacher. She teaches Rachel about elocution and acting.
Pat and Ena are dance teachers at Mrs. Wintle's school.
Yolanda and Wanda are the chefs at Mrs. Wintle's school.
