Listen to the Nightingale

Lottie's mother had been a promising ballet star who died young, leaving Lottie to be raised by Auntie, the wardrobe mistress at Madame Holbein's Theatre of Dance. When she passes the tough audition for the famous Royal Ballet School, Queen's Chase, everyone is thrilled - except Lottie. Now that she has to live at the school, what will become of her beloved dog Prince? To choose between the two is heart-breaking, but thanks to Prince, Lottie finds a new friend, a brilliant dancing role and a whole family. 'Listen to the nightingale,' Madame Holbein used to say, and Lottie finally comes to understand what she meant. This charming and vivid ballet fairytale will delight young and adult readers alike.

This is an absolutely heart-warming read, which will make you laugh, cry and love it Guardian
Her craftsmanship is always sure; her understanding of character is compassionate and profound; her prose is pure, delicate, and gently witty New York Times
Godden's expert narration, her beguiling setting and her heartening celebration of love and happy endings Publishers Weekly
Her sympathetic characterizations are cunningly built of peccadillos, revealing responses to various stresses and moral dilemmas, and heart-warming and/or satirical details Kirkus Reviews

Rumer Godden (1907-98) was the acclaimed author of over sixty works of fiction and non-fiction for adults and children. Born in England, she and her siblings grew up in Narayanganj, India, and she later spent many years living in Calcutta and Kashmir. Several of her novels were made into films, including BLACK NARCISSUS, The Greengage Summer and The River, which was filmed by Jean Renoir. She was appointed OBE in 1993.

'Never forget, Charlotte, you were born to be a dancer . . . Never forget. Promise.' Before her ballet teacher died, Lottie promised Madame Holbein to be the dancer her mother never lived to become. Orphaned at birth, Lottie has been brought up by her aunt, and though she is loved, she is lonely. Then she finds Prince, a beautiful puppy, and discovers a love and loyalty that is boundless. When Lottie passes the tough audition for Queen's Chase, Her Majesty's Junior Ballet School, everybody is thrilled - except, surprisingly, Lottie. She will have to board at school, and what will happen to her beloved dog? To choose between the two is breaking her heart.

Lottie's mother had been a promising ballet star who died young, leaving Lottie to be raised by Auntie, the wardrobe mistress at Madame Holbein's Theatre of Dance. When she passes the tough audition for the famous Royal Ballet School, Queen's Chase, everyone is thrilled - except Lottie. Now that she has to live at the school, what will become of her beloved dog Prince? To choose between the two is heart-breaking, but thanks to Prince, Lottie finds a new friend, a brilliant dancing role and a whole family. 'Listen to the nightingale,' Madame Holbein used to say, and Lottie finally comes to understand what she meant. This charming and vivid ballet fairytale will delight young and adult readers alike.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.