Black Beauty (Aladdin Classics) - Softcover

Sewell, Anna

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0689842554 ISBN 13: 9780689842559

Publisher: Aladdin, 2001

Synopsis

Probably the most popular horse story of all time, Black Beauty tells the story of one horse's long and varied life. On the one hand, a fully engaging novel and on the other hand, a strong statement against animal maltreatment. Anna Sewell's classic novel has enthralled readers since it was first published in 1877.

About this title

Review

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 manner--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)

Review

"One of the greatest books ever narrated by a horse, with a fine message: be kind to animals, and they'll be kind to you" (Michael Morpurgo Guardian)

"One of the most enchanting and best-loved children's stories of all time" (Mail on Sunday)

"This was the first book that reduced me to tears - I saw what it meant to campaign ardently and successfully for an important cause." (Esther Rantzen Daily Mail)

"So what makes these different to any other set of classics? In a moment of inspiration Random House had the bright idea of actually asking Key stage 2 children what extra ingredients they could add to make children want to read. And does it work? Well, put it this way...my 13-year-old daughter announced that she had to read a book over the summer holiday and, without any prompting, spotted The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas...and proceeded to read it! Now, if you knew my 13-year-old daughter, you would realise that this is quite remarkable. She reads texts, blogs and tags by the thousand - but this is the first book she has read since going to high school, so all hail Vintage Classics!" (National Association for the Teaching of English)

About this edition

• Publisher: Aladdin
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0689842554
• ISBN 13: 9780689842559
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224