Black Beauty

Black Beauty is a fictional autobiographical memoir told by a horse, who recounts many tales of cruelty and kindness. It is written by Anna Sewell and is the first major animal story in children's literature. It was composed in the last years of her life, during which she was confined to her house as an invalid. After its publication in 1877, Sewell lived just long enough to see her first and only novel become an immediate bestseller, as well as the novel encouraging the better treatment of many cruelly-treated animals. Although initially intended for people who work with horses, it soon became a children's classic. While outwardly teaching animal welfare, it also contains allegorical lessons about how to treat people with kindness, sympathy, and respect. Each short chapter recounts an incident in Black Beauty’s life containing a lesson or moral typically related to the kindness, sympathy, and understanding treatment of horses. This story has captured the hearts of both adults and children alike. Download your copy of Black Beauty today!

Julia Niedermaier