Hetty Feather
At the Foundling Museum

“She's a fierce, feisty creature but very much one of my heroines.” - Dame Jacqueline Wilson

When Dame Jacqueline Wilson sat in on the Museum’s Victorian Foundlings school session one chilly November morning in 2008, no-one could have guessed that the experience would inspire her first historical heroine, a red-haired Foundling girl called Hetty.

The Foundling Museum’s first Thomas Coram Fellow, Dame Jacqueline’s packed diary reflects her status as one of the world’s best loved children’s authors, but six months of forced rest after a heart operation gave her the time needed to research and write ‘Hetty Feather’. Dame Jacqueline has written more than 90 books, including ‘Tracy Beaker’, but this is her first historical novel and her longest work so far: “I thought it would be a bit of a challenge, but I love the period and thought, I'll give it a go.”

On Saturday 10 October 2009, the Museum hosted a fantastic Hetty Feather Day to celebrate the book’s launch. This family event included talks and book signings by Dame Jacqueline, appearances by Hetty Feather and Matron “Pigface” Peters, and bonnet and clown hat making. Click here to see photographs of the event!

The Story

Hetty is just a tiny baby when her mother leaves her at London’s Foundling Hospital in 1876. Hetty must first live with a foster family until she is big enough to go to school. Life in the countryside is hard, but with her 'brothers' Jem and Gideon she helps in the fields and plays imaginary games. Together they sneak off to visit the travelling circus and Hetty is mesmerised by the show, especially by Madame Adeline and her performing horses. Hetty's happiness is threatened once more when she is returned to the Foundling Hospital. The new life of awful uniforms, terrible food and Matron “Pigface” is a struggle for her, but now she has the chance to find her real mother. Could she really be the wonderful Madame Adeline, or will Hetty find the truth is even more surprising? (Suitable for children 8 years and up).

“there’s an unforgettable scene when Hetty meets Madame Adeline, the circus performer she hopes may be her mother” – Kate Kellaway, The Observer