Anna Sewell

Black Beauty is among the most enduring works of children's literature. First published in 1877, the book alerted adults to the widespread abuse of horses, and provoked immediate positive changes. Yet Black Beauty's appeal is literal as well as political: for young readers it offers a magical perspective---a story told from a horse's point of view. Beauty has an idyllic and heroic youth. His master and coachman treat him gently, and the horse responds...

"When Black Beauty was born one sweet spring day, he could not have imagined the life ahead of him. Following his mother's advice to do his work with a good will, he enjoys the adventures of country and city life, makes new friends, and suffers from the cruelty and greed of his human masters. Beauty faces each challenge with bravery and kindness -- and then a chance encounter with an old friend brings him the greatest joy of all. Anna Sewell's classic...