Victorian Story Time

Just as a picture is worth a thousand words, so a story is worth a score of history lessons.

A sure-fire way of helping a child to place historical events and facts into context is to help them conjure up the atmosphere and mood of the time. Anna Sewell's Black Beauty does just that.

Whilst the novel makes no claims to be absolutely factually accurate, it is a work of fiction, it does give a vivid picture of life in the nineteenth century.

At the time of publication the novel caused controversy by highlighting the plight of working animals. The arrival of engines of course meant that the days of horses pulling cabs were numbered.

Black Beauty has sold over thirty million copies around the world and is an eternal favourite with children. The language takes a little getting used to for a twenty-first century child. Once tuned in though, the old-fashioned feel adds to the magic.

The book raises issues about the rise of mechanical methods of transport as opposed to horses, and brings to life the people of the Victorian era.