All Noel Streatfeild's stories for children reflect something of her vivid memory of her own childhood, her consciousness of the way of life in which she was brought up, and her particular interests. (p. 11)

Although there were pleasant times, on the whole she describes her childhood as unhappy. She was the family misfit, a nonconformist in a constant state of rebellion. (p. 13)

In later life, the adult who was not a happy child can perhaps remember more acutely childhood feelings, can recall more vividly the barriers that exist between children and adults…. Such acute memory is shown again and again in Noel Streatfeild's stories. (p. 18)

A professional knowledge of the stage forms the main interest of Ballet Shoes, Curtain Up [British title of Theater Shoes], The Painted Garden, and Wintle's Wonders, and is used to advantage in several other stories—in describing the pageant preparations in Party Frock...