Not only was this book Anna Sewell's only book, it changed the world in a way that has stayed with me in a very powerful way. In the case of this book, I am really grateful for that commitment to detail as the Life and Times section preceding the story so impressed me. Wow, well to start with I am the type of girl that tends to read EVERYTHING in books, forewords, recommendations, epilogue's, you name it, I read it-or in some cases skip if it is boring!. The publisher, Dorling Kindersley, advise that this version of the book is for ‘proficient readers’ and as such, I would recommend it for either advance readers in Year 4 or for any type of reader from Year 5 and from Year 6. The book not only features colourful illustrations throughout but also explanations and definitions at the sides of the pages that help contextualise the story and help educate any potential reader about the life, times and customs of Victorian Britain.

This version is part of the Dorling Kindersley ‘classic readers’ collection and as such constitutes an abridged and child friendly version of the story. The story was revolutionary in its time and helped to bring about changes in people’s attitudes to animal welfare and ultimately changes in the law also, something that the book outlines. The story begins with the horse’s carefree life as a young colt through to his difficult life pulling cabs under different owners and finally to his happy retirement in the countryside. ‘Black Beauty’ by Anna Sewell is the timeless tale of life in Victorian era Britain through the eyes of the main protagonist, Black Beauty himself.

Black Beauty by John Davage