Black Beauty's Early Days in the Meadow (Classic Picture Books) [Hardcover]

Anna Sewell (Author), Jane Monroe Donovan (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Classic Picture Books

One of the most popular animal stories of all time, Anna Sewell's "Black Beauty" was first published in 1877. Drawn from the original text and intended for even the youngest of horse lovers, "Black Beauty's Early Days in the Meadow" depicts the first few months of the horse's life as a foal frolicking in the meadow. Artist Jane Monroe Donovan renders the classic story in lush oil paintings that convey a pastoral world of green fields and shady trees, while tenderly capturing the special love between mare and foal. The perfect harmony of words and pictures proves once again that the simplest messages are often the strongest. Readers will relish the sweetness of life in the meadow and the companionship of family and friends.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jane Monroe Donovan's parents encouraged her to follow her heart and it led to her love of sketching and painting. Her affection for animals is reflected in much of her subject matter. Jane makes her home in Pinckney, Michigan, with her husband and their two sons, along with a menagerie of pets. Jane is the author and illustrator of Winter's Gift.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press; First edition. edition (October 31, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585362964
• ISBN-13: 978-1585362967
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #432,865 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful introduction to a great humanitarian book for young people, February 3, 2007

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

This review is from: Black Beauty's Early Days in the Meadow (Classic Picture Books) (Hardcover)

Black Beauty's Early Days in the Meadow transforms the beginning of Anna Sewell's classic of children's literature into a gorgeous picturebook. Illustrated in soft colors by Jane Monroe Donovan, who studied horses at length to exquisitely capture their movements, the expansive artwork captures the essence of spring from the fresh grass of the meadow to the pastel hues of the sky. A wonderful introduction to a great humanitarian book for young people, and a superb book to read aloud at storytime or bedtime. The final lesson from Black Beauty's mother has an important lesson for youngsters of all species: "'I hope you grow up gentle and good, and never learn bad ways; do your work with a good will, lift your feet up well when you trot, and never bite or kick even in play.' I have never forgotten my mother's advice; I knew she was a wise old horse, and our master thought a great deal of her."