Few stories in children’s literature have championed animal welfare as powerfully as Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty. Told in the first person by a noble horse, the novel follows Beauty from a pampered foal in the English countryside through the hardships of working life in Victorian London — and ultimately to a peaceful old age. Along the way, readers meet memorable companions like Ginger and Merrylegs.
Published in 1877 and an instant bestseller, Black Beauty is credited with improving the treatment of horses in Britain. Its gentle moral — that kindness to animals reflects kindness of character — resonates as strongly today as it did nearly 150 years ago. Download the free EPUB and enjoy this timeless classic with the whole family.