Beautiful Joe (1893). By: Margaret Marshall Saunders: and By: Hezekiah Butterworth

As a very young child, just barely reading, I read this book. I had Birthday and Christmas money which I used to buy this book. Not far into the book, my father caught me crying while reading Beautiful Joe and threatened to take away the book for making me sad. I begged him to let me finish reading it, and I am so thankful that he did. He didn’t want to see me hurting, but the book taught me so much. This book had such an impact on me, and I recall it, to this day, as one of my favorite all time books. I can’t wait to read it again as an adult!

I had the joy of having this book read to me( and my class) in elementary school. It was a story I have never forgotten in almost 30 years. It made such an impression on me. I want others to share the joy, too. Thank you, Marshall Saunders, for such an inspiring book. Read it to your children, & they will remember it and it's message of kindness to animals always. In fact, Everyone should READ THIS BOOK.

OK, seriously... this book leaves such an impact on every child I have seen that has read it. It teaches amazing compassion. It teaches the golden rule doesn't apply just to humans. It begs for people to be the best that they can. It is the basis for the credo of the humane society. It makes you think twice when you see a stray, heck, it makes you think when you look at a rat. There is no reason for a child not to be read this story, in fact several adults I know could benefit from it also. And read the sequel too... Beautiful Joe's Paradise (when the are all in heaven and all damaged/hurt creatures are restored! Even Barnum's elephant, Jumbo gets his tusks back...) Happy reading and get some Kleenex, if you cried in Black Beauty... you'll need it for this, too!

I too read, " Beautiful Joe" years ago when I was in elementary school. I was unable to put the book down then and was unable to put it down now. I searched many years in order to find a copy of the book. I have my original from my younger days, but decided to keep it in the original condition. "Beautiful Joe " was and is a book to teach us all to be kind to all living creatures. I am sure I will read the book again and know it will be read by many of my colleagues in the school in which I teach. Thank you, Marshall Saunders, for writing a terrific book.

I have been looking for the book "Beautiful Joe" for many years. I thought it was out of print. My parents had a copy of it and every Saturday morning I would read it to my younger brother. This was before T.V. It is a sad story with a happy ending. Joe is a wonderful cur dog, mistreated by his first owner and then rescued and loved by his second owner. It taught my brother and I a long lasting love for animals and the importance of kindness to all creatures. I am so happy to have found it back in print. Now, I can purchase copies for all the children in my own immediate family!!