Brigman, June & Richardson, Roy. Anna Sewell's Black Beauty

Kliatt, Sept, 2005 by George Galuschak

BRIGMAN, June & RICHARDSON, Roy. Anna Sewell's Black Beauty. Penguin, Puffin Graphics. 176p. illus, c2005. 014240408X. $9.99. JSA*

Black Beauty is rightly considered a classic; Sewell's story of a horse's life, told from the horse's point of view, is a moving statement against animal cruelty. It's also a great story. After an idyllic childhood, Black Beauty is sold into slavery. He serves under a number of masters--some kind, some cruel, some indifferent--before being put out to pasture. Despite its happy ending, Black Beauty does not sugarcoat the fact that a horse's life is one of misery and drudgery. Whether it's cruel or kind, slavery is still slavery.

This adaptation does justice to Sewell's novel. Brigman and Richardson are a husband-and-wife team, and their b/w artwork is quite expressive. Black Beauty looks suitably regal, a prince amongst horses, and he displays a wide variety of emotions. I'm sure it's not simple to draw a dejected horse, but the authors make it look easy. Black Beauty contains depictions of animal cruelty. Highly recommended for libraries with graphic novel collections. George Galuschak, YA Libn., Montvale PL, Montvale, NJ

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.

S--Recommended for senior high school students.

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.

*--The asterisk highlights exceptional books.