Black Beauty: The Graphic Novel [Mass Market Paperback]

June Brigman (Adapter), Roy Richardson (Adapter), Anna Sewell (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Puffin Graphics Graphic Novels

A handsome and sweet-tempered horse, Black Beauty is strong and spirited. His mother warns him that there are bad, cruel men in the world, but Black Beauty sees none of it in his fine, happy home. Until the day when he is sold, when his life changes immeasurably and he finally sees the truth in his mother’s words. As he moves from master to master, Beauty’s adventures will captivate readers, and June Brigman’s wonderful illustrations will capture their imaginations.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This graphic novel adapts the classic children's story of a horse whose gentle nature triumphs over abuse and misfortune. Anna Sewell's original remains beloved to preteen girls in particular, not just for the adventures Black Beauty goes through, but also for Sewell's lyrical descriptions of a past era. Husband-and-wife team Brigman and Richardson do a wonderful job illustrating that period, with b&w drawings that pop off the page and give readers an excellent sense of place as well as time. Unfortunately hamstrung by having to shorten a story that spans many years, they have had to cut all of Sewell's descriptions and most of her transitions, leaving short, choppy chapters that represent information rather than tell a story. Sewell originally wrote the story to expose mistreatment of animals in her society, and the cuts leave the adaptation sounding a bit preachy and repetitive. The spirit of the author's brave horse still comes through, as Black Beauty describes his different masters and the other horses he meets in his life. This should be a hit with horse lovers still too young for the original.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6–This adaptation of the 19th-century classic is faithful to the original story, in which Black Beauty recounts his experiences with both kind and cruel owners. The novel's episodic structure translates easily to graphic format, but the frequent moral lessons and antiquated language may make some readers squirm. The artwork is detailed and realistic but lacks a distinctive style; the layout is similarly functional. Black Beauty's success even in libraries with a popular graphic-novel collection is not assured, since it is likely to become lost among the trendier manga titles. Purchase where the original novel circulates, or where the same can be said for graphic-novel adaptations of the classics.–Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Puffin Books; 1st Edition in this form edition (May 19, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014240408X
• ISBN-13: 978-0142404089
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #89,670 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Short and Sweet!, September 28, 2005

By 

W. GRUENDLER I I "pylgrym" (Palm Bay, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black Beauty: The Graphic Novel (Mass Market Paperback)

Of course, I am the sentimental type that gets all gooey-eyed at any of the great horse stories, whether on film or printed page. So, I was particularly struck by the earnest renderings of June Brigman and Roy Richardson in their labor of love and timeless beauty: Black Beauty. For any reading this who know not the tale, suffice it to say this will be an excellent, pithy and tasty introduction. The story moves right along and the illustrations capture the spirit of the age and of the plucky steeds portrayed. The little paperback format is an inexpensive way to introduce young readers to the story; and its simplicity will merit many repeat readings by those grandfatherly types - such as I - who love a little one in the lap for an evening's storytime, until one or both of us falls fast asleep! Get a whole case of these and pass them out to horselovers wherever you go! EXTRAS worthy of mention include a few pages devoted to June's adapive stylings, i.e. just HOW the little paperback was developed from her artist's perspectives. Too, you will find the sweet synopsis of the life of Anna Sewell very moving. Highest recommendation.

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming!, June 17, 2011

By 

d3a4d281 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Black Beauty: The Graphic Novel (Mass Market Paperback)

Very much charming! The drawings add both emotion and action to the strong text of Anna Sewell. June Brigman and Roy Richardson did a very fine and good artistic job! This book was intended for my kids, but I keep on reading it every now and then. I also ordered from Amazon both the Sean Bean Black Beauty film and the Black Beauty 3 DVD set, and the paperback help us understand what is going on in the film, once it focus on the most important parts of Anna Sewell play.

5.0 out of 5 stars well done, February 2, 2011

By 

M. Heiss (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black Beauty: The Graphic Novel (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a black-and-white graphic novel of the classic story, an inspiration for people to treat others kindly. While the human characters were less well-developed due to space constraints, the horse characters were very well done. The whole story is here, and the illustrations are clear and beautiful.

Needs editing after page 80 -

"sites" instead of "sights" on page 82
"Sunday's off" instead of "Sundays off" on page 85
"we always prompt" instead of "was always prompt" on page 119
"war" instead of "warm" on page 121

My son, the sweetie, loves this book.