Black Beauty: A Creative Workbook Adaptation

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 my 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 flip book 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 advocacy heroes that spent their lives making a difference for our equine friends.

Advocacy Hero: Anna Sewell

Changing Lives Since 1877

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.”

Advocacy Hero: Henry Bergh

Saving Lives Since 1866

A History of Compassion
While on assignment in Russia as an American diplomat, a New Yorker named Henry Bergh stopped a carriage driver from beating his fallen horse. The year was 1863, and it was then and there that Bergh realized the effect he could have on the world. He soon resigned his post and returned to New York to devote his energy to the prevention of cruelty to animals. In 1866, he founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®.

Although the workbook adaptation is in production, it is available to RiseUp Equestrian Academy (W.H.O.A.) Book Club members. Members have access to most books as they are being written. Early access and book surveys provides RiseUp EQ (the Publisher), feedback that improves the quality of the reader’s experience. Join the club and get access to a host of wonderful books and early release projects like Black Beauty.

Robyn Smith

Sneak Peek: Black Beauty Flip Book

Black Beauty (CH. 1-4)