Black Beauty wasn’t always called this. Called Star or Blackie before given the name Black Beauty (although he prefers just Beauty), it is also the name he goes back to years later. In between he is given other names as he is sold to different owners.

Beginning in a wealthy, caring, kind home, he is well fed, cared for, spoken to often, and at four years is carefully broken in. After his early years in a meadow with his mother, he has to learn to put up with a metal bit in his mouth, blinkers on his face, and a stiff and heavy collar when hitched to a cart.  The sound of the cart wheels unnerve him, but the patience of his master and bond they already have, help Black Beauty to learn.

All of this training is for a reason. He is taken to a new stable where he meets new horse friends Ginger and Merrylegs, and his new master. This home is even better than the first, and Black Beauty learns more about being a working horse – this time pulling a carriage, or enjoying being ridden after being locked in the stables after being used to freedom in the fields.

But alas, it isn’t to stay this way, and Black Beauty has yet another new master. This time it isn’t for the better. He learns about the pain of bearing reins, which are for nothing but looks and vanity of his owner. He experiences drunken riders, inexperienced stable grooms and the uncertainty of being a job horse.

His next owner is a welcome one, with him and his family giving Black Beauty the care he needs. They treat him like a member of their family, and he works hard for them, but never too hard like many other times in his short life.

Again, his circumstances change – due to the thoughtlessness of people he has experienced again and again. Not just to horses but to people as well. Will they ever change?

But maybe, just maybe, there is kindness coming back to him.

This retelling of Anna Sewell’s classic brings Black Beauty to a whole new generation of readers.

Michael Morpurgo’s well loved and gentle style stays true to the 1877 original, but with more modern language. Although more suited to modern young readers, this doesn’t take away the feel of the Victorian England setting in the late 1800’s.

This is a sad story of the life of horses back then, but between the lines is an understanding of the lives of the owners too, and of empathy between horse and human. It emphasises how we can all be better at kindness and compassion, to animals and to each other.

Black Beauty is a window into the time, showing what life was like for people of all walks of life – especially the working class or poor.

Only some of the chapters are named as in the original, but it sticks to the four part tale, told directly to the reader by Black Beauty himself. This viewpoint brings the reader closer to what Black Beauty is experiencing and feeling as a horse through owners good and bad.

Although now thought of as a children’s classic Black Beauty was written by Anna Sewell in sympathy to the terrible treatment of horses she saw around her on an ongoing basis. 

This beautiful hardback edition, illustrated by Tom De Freston, is not only for horse lovers, but for children of all ages to enjoy and partake in compassion and understanding. Sticking to Anna Sewell’s moving ending, this retelling is ultimately hopeful for a brave horse.

Author – Anna Sewell

A retelling by Michael Morpurgo

Illustrator – Tom de Freston

Age – 10+

Find more reviews of books starring horses here

Find more historical reads here

(2026, 1877, Animals, Historical, Grief, Real Life, Bullies, Friendship, Poverty, Retelling, Classic, Horses, Victorian England, 18oo’s, 19th Century, Horse Care, Grooms, Kindness, Animal Cruelty, Mistreatment)