I always loved the book 'Ballet Shoes' by Noel Streatfeild, so wasn't entirely sure what to expect from a made-for-TV film of less than 90 minutes . The story is about three adopted sisters who are determined to make their mark on the world: Pauline as an actress, Petrova as a pilot, and Posy as a dancer.

Emma Watson (best known as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies) plays Pauline, the eldest of the Fossil children. There were other well-known faces in this film, including Victoria Wood who wasn't entirely convincing as Nana.

Although, inevitably, a fair amount of the book was condensed or cut out, the storyline mostly stuck to what's in the book; the three sisters were very good, with Posy outstanding as a promising ballet dancer. I wasn't too impressed at a light romance being thrown in at the end - decidedly NOT in the book! - but that kind of thing appears to be compulsory, even in children's films these days.

Still, worth watching for a light evening's entertainment. The sets and atmosphere of London in the 1940s were very realistic. ( )

Set in London in the thirties, Gum, an eccentric Paleantologist who travels the world, delivers three orphaned girls to his niece, Sylvia, who raises them as sisters. Gum leaves a limited amount of money for their care and disappears on another adventure for twelve years. To make ends meet, Sylvia takes in boarders who help educate the girls. Pauline stars at a young age on stage and film, Posy trains with a former Russian ballerina, but Petrova longs to fly planes. All three use their stage talents to contribute to the family coffers. This film adaptation of this classic storybook gives moms, daughters, and sisters an all around warm fuzzy. The viewer is drawn in by the boarders’ desire to give the girls a better life, the girls’ ambitions, and a bit of a love story between Sylvia and a male lodger. In startling fashion, selfishness ambition is brilliantly exposed giving a wonderful opportunity for families to discuss their values and beliefs. The story is enchanting and worth viewing. It certainly will be an addition to my collection. Highly recommended for ages 7-12 ( )