London, 1876. Hetty Feather is just a tiny baby when her mother leaves her at the Foundling Hospital. The Hospital cares for abandoned children – but Hetty must live with a foster family until she is big enough to go to school. Life in the countryside is hard but she has ‘brothers’ Jem and Gideon to play with, and together they sneak off to visit the travelling circus. Hetty is mesmerised by the show, especially Madame Adeline and her performing horses.

When she is returned to the Foundling Hospital, the new life of awful uniforms and terrible food is a struggle for Hetty. But now she has the chance to find her real mother. Could she really be the wonderful Madame Adeline? Or is the truth even more surprising?

A delightful and utterly original take on a historical novel, this warm, funny and moving story, read by Jacqueline Wilson, will thrill her many fans.