Black Beauty (Calla Editions) Hardcover – 30 Oct. 2015

I bought this for my 87 year old mum who has recently had a stroke and didn't even want to read the newspaper any more. I asked her what her favourite story was when she was a girl and she said 'Black Beauty'. Not very hopeful, I ordered her this copy and am absolutely delighted that she has nearly finished it. It has bought lovely memories back to her. It is an excellent size for her to hold and the print is just perfect. I will be ordering her more books, especially childrens classics as these are easy for her to read. Thank you publishers, a really great book.

i read this as a child, but didn't really appreciate it much. And usually i'm not one for the classics, since i tend to find them rather overrated. However, when i reread Black Beauty, i was so impressed. Sewell brilliantly tells the story from the point of view of Black Beauty himself, and his life in various stages, and all the things he learns about humans and other horses. He goes from loving, gentle owners, to some who mistreat him near to the point of death. The author does an amazing job of conveying their distaste with those who mistreat animals, without being too preachy.What i find so sad is that so many of the issues raised in this book are things that are still issues today, animal cruelty, bad use of animals for fashion, overworking etc. It's sad that in the many years since this was written, things may have changed, but not improved.definitely worth a read for adults, as it really hammers home some heartbreaking points, but is still a beautiful story.

Pleased to get this. It took me right back to the late sixties, when Mum used to read the book to us (I am showing my age here), and I remember thinking it was the saddest book I had ever heard at the time. It is, of course, classic literature, and I also remember Mum telling me that it was a story that came from the "horse's mouth". I later realised the book was written as if Black Beauty had written it himself! Clever writing by Anna Sewell!It tells one of Black Beauty's experiences throughout his life, as seen by him, right from when he was a foal to when he retired. I had not realised, until I read the back of the book, that Anna Sewell had suffered an accident which left her in pain, and "Black Beauty" was only written five years before her death!

My 9 year old daughter was keen to read black beauty and this book was easily read by her and wrote in a way that meant we struggled to put it down each night as was so keen to know what happened next. A beautiful classical story.

This wonderfully illustrated version of the classic horse story is well worth buying for its art work alone. The illustrator has clearly done his research well as the painting of Pulteney Street, in Bath was instantly recognisable by a native of the town. The line drawings as well as the full colour illustrations capture wel;l the emotions of the text. If buying this as a "special" present, I can highly recommend it.

A brilliant book. I read it a couple of times as a child and had remembered the opening chapter well. It is a book drawing attention to animal welfare at the time, and is as relevant today many ways. Written from the view of Black Beauty it is in parts heartbreaking and joyous in others. It must be at least 55 years since I last read it and wanted to share it with my 9 year old granddaughter. I found myself skipping over a few of the most harrowing scenes and really wondered how I'd coped when reading it at a very young age! It is very well written and a joy to read at any age.

Illustrations are not as good as other books in this series (Alice In Wonderland), but not a bad take for a children's version of this classic.For people like me who're wondering, the adult version has a description of Ginger's death which children may find upsetting. This version skips that.Not a bad book to read. A bit heavy on the class divide, but kids who love horses will probably enjoy it.

I was in tears at the end! A sentimental old story for a sentimental old fool! Black Beauty was written as a manual of horse husbandry, and polemic against cruelty to animals in general. Anna Sewell intended it for adults, although it's now regarded as a children's classic. I had an illustrated edition with heavily edited text as a child, so this was yet another regression to childhood for me, and it won't be the last!