Noel Streatfeild

To tie in with their centenary celebrations, Oxford's Children's Books are launching a new series, 'Oxford Children's Classics', bringing together some of the most unforgettable stories ever told.

Plucked from their old home in Guernsey and sent all the way to London, the three Forbes children find themselves thrown into the exciting yet frightening world of the theatre. Their mother has come from a long line of great actors and Sorrel, Holly and Mark are expected to carry on the family tradition.

Adopted as babies by great uncle Matthew, Pauline, Petrova and Posy lead a sheltered life until the money runs out, and then everyone has to do something to make some more. But what can three small schoolgirls do to help?