For her third book and third 'Shoes' novel, The Circus Is Coming (later published as Circus Shoes), she won the 1938 Carnegie Medal. I distrusted what came easily and so despised the book.' It was a commended runner-up for the inaugural Carnegie Medal from the Library Association, recognising the year's best British children's book, and it launched a successful career in writing for children. She recalled, 'The story poured off my pen, more or less telling itself. Her first children's book was Ballet Shoes, published by J. Her familiarity with the stage was the basis for many of her popular books for children, which are often about children struggling with careers in the arts. Upon reaching adulthood she sought a career in theatre, and gained ten years of experience as an actress, working for the Charles Doran and Arthur Bourchier companies. Noel was considered the 'plain' sister in her family, but she shone in performances with her sisters for charity. Her elder sister Ruth Gervis illustrated Ballet Shoes.

Her life is described in three semi-autobiographical novels: A Vicarage Family, Away from the Vicarage and Beyond the Vicarage. Noel Streatfeild was born in Sussex, the second of five surviving children of William Champion Streatfeild, later the Bishop of Lewes, and Janet Venn.

Several of her novels have been adapted for film or television. She was a member of the historic Streatfeild family. She won the third annual Carnegie Medal for Circus Shoes. publisher of the 1936 novel Ballet Shoes (1936), published some of Streatfeild's subsequent children's books using the word 'Shoes' in their titles, to capitalize on the popularity of Ballet Shoes thus Circus Shoes (originally called The Circus Is Coming), Party Shoes (originally called Party Frock), Skating Shoes (originally called White Boots) and many more. Mary Noel Streatfeild OBE / ˈ n oʊ ə l ˈ s t r ɛ t f iː l d/ (24 December 1895 –11 September 1986) was an English author, best known for children's books including the 'Shoes' books, which were not a series (though some books made references to others).

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