A horse is a horse of course unless of course the horse is Black Beauty. Animal-loving children have been devoted to Black Beauty throughout this century, and no doubt will continue through the next. Although Anna Sewell's classic paints a clear picture of turn-of-the-century London, its message is universal and timeless: animals will serve humans well if they are treated with consideration and kindness.

Black Beauty tells the story of the horse's own long and varied life, from a well-born colt in a pleasant meadow to an elegant carriage horse for a gentleman to a painfully overworked cab horse. Throughout, Sewell rails--in a gentle, 19th-century way--against animal maltreatment. Young readers will follow Black Beauty's fortunes, good and bad, with gentle masters as well as cruel. Children can easily make the leap from horse-human relationships to human-human relationships, and begin to understand how their own consideration of others may be a benefit to all. (Ages 9 to 12)


From Publishers Weekly
In this abridgement of Sewell's classic story, McKinley has managed nicely to retain Beauty's unique voice as well as the most-remembered stories, while making the text more accessible to younger readers. Jeffers's fine ink illustrations will satisfy even the most demanding of horse-lovers with her ability to capture each horse's personality. This version brings back the sharpness of the cruelty towards Beauty and his companions, and McKinley has rightfully retained the pain and the ugliness of some of the incidents. Children will still weep at the death of Ginger, and Jeffers's portrayal of the barn fire is quite frightening. It's an elegant edition, which will linger with readers until they are ready to tackle the original. (All agesCopyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
Grade 2-5 Sewell's classic tale of ahorse's fortunes and adversities has been a favorite since it was written over 100 years ago. Now McKinley offers a new abridgment which, while honing the original almost to spareness, loses none of the beauty of Sewell's poetic prose. Although some of the less important incidents and descriptive passages have necessarily been omitted, there is still every essential element of the plot here to delight readers as Black Beauty's story unfolds. But it is Jeffers' illustrations (pen-and-ink with watercolor wash) that bring this book to a level above the ordinary. Intensely yet sensitively wrought, there is a fine attention to detail, down to veins and quivering nostrils. The horses are never allowed to descend to the anthropomorphic tone of the text, and although Jeffers' human portrayals suffer by comparison with their equine counterparts, they are nonetheless keenly done. Given the demand for simpler versions of children's classics, this one won't stay on the shelf long; it is wonderful as a read-aloud, or for independent readers. Kathleen Brachmann, Highland Park Public Library, Ill.Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
From a life of comfort to one of labor, the famous horse, Black Beauty, encounters both good and bad people while revealing how animals suffer as much from thoughtlessness as from malice. This classic makes the transition from the written to the spoken word with flair and is as varied and interesting as the characters themselves. Lambert uses a forceful and well-paced narrative style, and his vocal characterizations are just right. This well-crafted audio presentation tells Black Beauty's story in all its splendor. M.R. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine


Midwest Book Review
A handsome foal with promising beginnings is passed from owner to owner and soon learns the particular cruelties of hard masters and the rich in this horse story. The audio version, narrated by Martin Jarvis, abridges and brings alive the high points of Sewell's classic.


Publisher Comments
When I was a child I loved animals, especially horses. Yet I couldnt resist teasing them, even being cruel to them. BLACK BEAUTY was one of my favorite books, and I read it over and over again. It helped me realize that animals should be treated with compassion. -- Marian Flandrick Bray, author of horse stories, including Flight of the Swan in the anthology HERDS OF THUNDER, MANES OF GOLD


Book Description
Suspenseful, deeply moving tale, narrated from the horse’s point of view, follows Black Beauty from his carefree days as a colt through a variety of experiences at the hands of many owners—some sensitive and gentle; others thoughtless and cruel. A memorable story for animal lovers of all ages, now available in an unabridged, modestly priced edition.



Download Description
A happy colt from a loving home falls on hard times when his owners are forced to sell him.


Card catalog description
A horse in nineteenth-century England recounts his experiences with both good and bad masters.


From the Publisher
We're proud to offer this timeless children's classic.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A handsome horse with a glossy black coat and a pretty white star on his forehead, Black Beauty seems to lead a charmed life. Although his mother warns him that there are 'bad, cruel men' in the world, he begins his life in a happy home, with a friendly groom to look after him and plenty to eat. However, when a change of circumstances means that he is sold, he soon discovers the truth of his mother's words. Anna Sewell's moving story is one of the best-loved animal adventures ever written.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Childrens Literature

This summary of the Black Beauty story is profusely illustrated with full-color drawings of horses, clothing, and artifacts of Victorian England. An introduction explains the context of the story and its impact on the care and treatment of horses. Ten short chapters follow, carefully capturing the essence of the original book. Sidebars feature photographs and illustrations with descriptions of words and terms that may not be familiar to young readers. A glossary in the back contributes to further understanding. Some biographical information about Sewell is included. This is a good introduction to both the study of horses and the enjoyment of horse stories. 2000, DK, Ages 7 to 10, $12.95 and $3.95. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer

VOYA

The historical sidebars in Black Beauty mostly deal with what English life in the nineteenth century was like, but a few specifically deal with horses. They can be distracting if you're trying to follow the story. Unless you're really interested in details of that time period, don't think that this book is any better than another version, although the illustrations might make it easier for younger readers to enjoy, $17.99 Trade pb. Illus. VOYA CODES: 4Q 3P M (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8). 2000, Viking/Penguin Putnam, 208p, $25.99. Ages 11 to 14. Reviewer: Kristen Moreland, Teen Reviewer SOURCE: VOYA, February 2002 (Vol. 24, No.6)

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3-In this abridgement of Anna Sewell's 19th century English classic, British actress Juliet Stevenson's outstanding narration is highlighted by her rendition of the regional dialects of various human characters and her sympathetic portrayal of Beauty's voice. Music as well as realistic sound effects of foxhunts, railway trains, Victorian city streets and the terror of a stable fire enhance the audio performance and enrich its historical perspective. The accompanying book blends both the story and factual information about Beauty's life and times. Sidebars inform readers about breeds of horses and their roles in pre-automobile society, their stables and tack, various types of carriages, and life in country houses and in London. Photographs and Victor Ambrus' energetic illustrations describe a world in which horses were used for work rather than simply for pleasure. Children will admire Beauty's noble nature as he is sold from master to master, some of them gentle and some of them harsh, and they will empathize with Ginger's hardships and tragic end. This new version is an excellent addition to public or school library collections.-Maura Martin Smith, Somerset Elementary School, Shawnee Mission, KS Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

AudioFile - Robin F. Whitten

From country squire to cab horse and back to gentle ladies, Beauty's life is a happy tale to be enjoyed by families and young children. The abridgment cuts much of what some of us remember of the horses' cruel treatment. Martin Jarvis is a master, who draws the listener into the story from his first breath. He effortlessly brings to life the orchard at Bertwick or the London cab rank. The character voices are distinctive while easily understood. Remember, the story is narrated from Beauty's point of view. Without sounding contrived or trite the horse's account is sympathetically presented. Sharing Beauty's delight or diligence, listeners will enjoy this compassionate presentation. R.F.W. ￯﾿ﾽAudioFile, Portland, Maine

AudioFile - Martie Ramm