Adaptation
Writing one’s own book is challenging enough. However, adapting another author’s work is full of responsibility and duty. When taking on this project, one of the primary goals was to introduce the author, Anna Sewell, as a noteworthy person. Shining the light on who she was and why she wrote this one and only book during her lifetime explains her motivation. The second goal was to keep the story complete while providing education, inspiration, and advocacy. This timeless popular classic is still being enjoyed by people of all ages and remains an all-time favorite.
Education
Set during the 1880s, the story is full of fun facts, knowledge, and insight. Using puzzles and various activities, kids explore relevant history, geography, and horse knowledge from the horse characters’ point of view.
Inspiration
Great for creative kids who love to write and/or illustrate. There are plenty of opportunities to draw, color, and learn writing and comprehension skills. In addition, the digital format is full of colorful images and downloadable pages to enjoy over and over.
Advocacy
Sadly, even today, animal neglect, abuse, and misuse still exist. Black Beauty’s autobiographical life story elicits the reader’s raw emotions of fear and hope as readers embark on a roller coaster ride of feelings such as mad, glad, sad, and afraid. I hope that by reading and interacting with this workbook, readers will see the need to advocate for all helpless victims through education and, when needed, intervention.
Meet the Author, Anna Sewell
In 1877 (one year before she died), Anna Sewell wrote Black Beauty for an adult audience. It is her only published work and has become one of the all-time classic stories of courage, resilience, and hope.
At age 14, Anna severely injured her ankles, which left her unable to walk or stand without a crutch. Yet, even at her young age, Anna’s concern about horses’ welfare and humane treatment grew as she drove her father back and forth to work by horse-drawn carriage. Her goal in writing Black Beauty was “to induce kindness, sympathy, and an understanding treatment of horses.”
Although the workbook adaptation is in production, it is available to RiseUp Equestrian Academy Book (W.H.O.A.) Book Club members. Members have access to most books while they are being written.
Robyn Smith
