Black Beauty [Hardcover]

Sharon Lerner (Author), Susan Jeffers (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 22, 2009 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

A stunning picture-book introduction to the first famous fictional horse!

Anna Sewell's classic Black Beauty comes vividly to life in this 40-page picture-book adaptation by Sharon Lerner. Follow the famous stallion as he meets many masters, from Squire Gordon, whose wife Black Beauty saves nearly at the cost of his own life; to the cruel Nicholas Skinner, who drives horses to death; and finally to a reunion with Joe, the kind groom he knew as a colt. Caldecott Award winner Susan Jeffers illustrates this beloved tale with lush watercolor drawings guaranteed to delight and enchant children.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2—This shortened, simplified version of Sewell's classic retains the broad outline of the original but eliminates many key events and glosses over the horses' suffering. Some incidents are compressed in time while others, such as the stable fire, the death of a drunken rider, and Ginger's suffering and death, are eliminated. Beauty sometimes softens the accounts of hardship with the observation, "that was not so bad." Jeffers's illustrations are the most impressive part of the book; almost all of them appeared in Robin McKinley's longer adaptation (Random, 1986). Some illustrations have been recolored or altered slightly. The horses outshine the humans, revealing the artist's love for and skill in depicting the magnificent animals. Because the earlier book includes much more of Jeffers's work and offers a more complete version of Black Beauty's story, libraries with that version will certainly want to retain it. Consider this new work as needed to satisfy demands for horse stories for young listeners not ready for the harsh conditions depicted in Sewell's novel.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Sharon Lerner is an Emmy Award–winning writer and producer who helped to develop two highly acclaimed television series, Sesame Street and Between the Lions. A champion of children’s causes, Sharon is on the board of No Strings, a nonprofit organization that teaches life-saving messages to youth in developing countries.

Susan Jeffers is universally hailed as one of the foremost artists in the field. Among the many beautiful books she has illustrated are the Caldecott Honor Book Three Jovial Huntsmen and the New York Times bestseller Brother Eagle, Sister Sky.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (September 22, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 037585892X
• ISBN-13: 978-0375858925
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 0.3 x 12.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #906,116 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book, November 19, 2009

By 

Stephanie And Tony Fisher - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black Beauty (Hardcover)

This book is simply BEAUTIFUL, in story and illustrations. My daughter,3, loves this book. It is retold so well and suitable for a small child. It can be read in one sitting. Even as an adult I adore reading this book to my girl. Highly recommend for the illustrations alone, they are simply breath taking!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous version of Black Beauty!, October 14, 2009

By 

HH Mommy (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Black Beauty (Hardcover)

We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE children's author/illustrator Susan Jeffers and this book does not disappoint. The artwork is fantastic, simply amazing. Sharon Lerner did a nice job with Anna Sewell's classic in this version of Black Beauty. We also have the 80's Susan Jeffers' Black Beauty that she illustrated for author Robin McKinnley and I find this new release to be much more well suited for young children.

I highly recommend this book for your own child and as a gift for any little girl!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sharon Lerner's easy retelling brings the winning book down to picturebook level, November 21, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Beauty (Hardcover)

BLACK BEAUTY receives Sharon Jeffers' warm and fun drawings as it tells of a fine horse born into a fine stable who moves from home to home only to be rescued in the end by a kind groom. The story's recounted from the horse's point of view, and Sharon Lerner's easy retelling brings the winning book down to picturebook level for those with only basic reading skills.