Black Beauty

by Caryn Jenner, Victor G. Ambrus (Illustrator), Anna Sewell

An adaptation from the original classic story plus facinating facts and images.

Genres: Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Classics, Literature, Horses

64 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1997

About the author

Caryn Jenner has written many DK Readers. In addition, her picture book, Starting School, was longlisted for the School Library Association Information Book Award. Caryn is a reading volunteer at a local school, and also presents writing workshops and author events for children.

Reviews

[Vibhuti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a horse named black beauty. Black beauty experiences nice, and cruel masters in his life. From a colt to a full grown horse, black beauty has a great, and bad life. But does he ever find a true home? Or will he keep getting sold?

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was young, I would stay with my grandmother for a month every summer. She had a bookshelf full of classics. Most of them were over my 9-year-old head, but the first book I would read was 'Black Beauty.' I loved it!

I recently re-visited 'Black Beauty.' It is still a wonderful story. This edition has definitions and notes filling the outer margins, and I learned some things I never knew. Did you know that Anna Sewell (the original author) got sick while working on this book and needed to dictate it to her mother to write down for her?

This is meant as a children's book, but I read just about anything. This is worth it!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This version of Black Beauty is written for readers in the upper elementary grades. The margin has facts about horse, how they grow and various facts about their care to help the young reader learn about the care and stabling of horses as they enjoy the story of the life of Black Beauty. The illustrations are detailed to the time of the story and add to the enjoyment of the story.

[Lynn Mandaville · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

When I ordered this on interlibrary loan I thought I was requesting the full novel by Anna Sewell, so I was sorely disappointed to be getting a poorly abridged edition of the original, intended to present on a 4th grade reading level more of a historical perspective of the treatment of horses in Victorian days. I went ahead and read it, but found it had no real soul to the story. I will pursue finding an edition in its original so as to read what it is about this story, told in the first person from the perspective of the horse, Black Beauty himself, that made it such a game-changer in the treatment of animals, and horses specifically.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not know that in 1800's in England they had the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals RSPCA. Fantastic!
This book is not the actual classic but like an over view of the story. On the margins there are pictures and factoids about the horse and its life doing different 'jobs' (slavery) in Victorian times.
The book is also full of Victor Ambrus's beautiful art. So pleased to have this in my collection.

[Bekah Boo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I learned a lot about horses and how they worked for people before we had cars. I think that horses deserve to be treated nicely!

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as a child and still do to this day. This will now and forever be a favourite classic of mine.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm confused by the listing here - We got this version - "Abridged for Young Readers" with typical DK pictures and captions scattered about - at HPB. Bea picked it up because of the horse pictures and the hints of danger. I don't remember reading this book when I was a kid and I can't imagine I would have liked it! Not just illness or trauma but out and out death -- a lot of it -- people and horses. Sudden at that. I CANNOT believe Bea wanted to keep reading it! We did have to switch to day time reading after she started staying up until 1:00 a.m. with insomnia though (umm, understandably...) So - that is my warning. Otherwise, she was quite inspired by the book's telling of the story from Black Beauty's point of view and many of her stories lately have been modeled after that. Having all the photos/captions about the period and horse details really did add to the understanding of this story.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last summer I spent about an hour a day in the car driving with my 8 year old daughter. I wanted to make the time more pleasant for her, so I visited the local book store to look for books on tape. This was the only one I found that wasn't in the $40-$50 price range. I did not expect to like it very much...
I was pleasantly surprised at how well the story was read. This is a gripping story, full of emotionally wrenching (although a little melodramatic) episodes.

[Subin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was almost continuously sad then it turned to a happy ending. I think the story was quite good but the words in the book were difficult so it was hard to understand. Still i liked it because there were some emotional parts

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was kind of sad because a lot of horses died in a war in London.

[Ellyn Davis]

I read this book to my little sister

[Abigale Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was sad when Merrylegs died.

[Molly]

One of the most beautiful stories of all time. Black Beuaty's journey is one that will touch the hardest heart. The addition of the wonderful illustrations is nice.

[Jenniffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great abridged version for young readers. Gives background reference for the different coaches, veterinarian care, and such for that time period.

[Eden Silverfox · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the classic story of Black Beauty, but retold for children. Really nice book and touching story.

[Mellanie C]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13118702