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Summary: Beautiful Joe a childhood memory
Review: Actually I read Beautiful Joe's Paradise first then Beautiful Joe. These books really bring back some childhood memories. Beautiful Joe was a beautiful collie. As a child Beautiful Joe was my very close companion. Reading the two books in chronological order is probably best.
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Summary: It is responsible for my love of books.
Review: I am 60 years old..I received this book on my 10th birthday. I had never really read anything before and I began this book out of boredom.50 years later...I am astounded to find out it is still in print!! Ive never forgotten the book, or Joe. It is the foundation for my love...my voracious need to read. Thank you Amazon, for having it in print and available. Now, not only my grandchildren..but my Great Granddaughter will have the chance to meet Joe and the family who nursed him back to health with love. Childrens book? maybe...but a book for ALL ages. I am eager to re-read over and over again this loving tender book. Thank you again.
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Summary: A book that belongs in all classic collections!
Review: I first found the book "Beautiful Joe" in my elementary school library over 20 years ago. After the first time I read it, I found that I loved checking it out to reread at least a few times a year. After I moved from that school, I found it difficult to find the book once again, and I'm so glad that I now have! It is a beautiful, funny, touching book that is a perfect read for children as well as adults who still love to read books like "Black Beauty," The "Black Stallion" Series, "101 Dalmations," etc. I am one such adult, as I work with children, and I would recommend this book to absolutely everyone that likes animals or wants to foster the love of animals in their young friends or children. Enjoy!
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Summary: A lovely book - not just for children!
Review: I had never heard of this book or read it as a child. I found a copy of the 1930 hardback version in an antique shop in the midwest last summer and purchased it just because the cover illustration looked strikingly like a dog my husband and I had recently adopted from a shelter. When I read the book, I was captivated and astonished. You see, my dog (a lovely fawn-colored pit bull) was rescued after having her ears crudely chopped off and burned. She's been a member of our family for nearly two years, and is an obedient, loving companion. The story told from the perspective of the dog reinforces to me that animals are feeling, thinking creatures, put on this earth for humans to care for and give a voice to. I've since become a great advocate for the plight of the American Pit Bull Terrier, which used to be the symbol of American with its courage, loyalty, and tenacity. Unfortunately in this day and age, irresponsible and unfeeling people have tarnished their image greatly by trying to turn them into guard dogs (which they are not) and reaping profits from fighting them. Then, they are usually discarded. Children would do well to read this book to help them learn about kindness to all creatures; adults would enjoy it as well. Because of this book, the name on our dog's AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen) certificate and UKC LP registration proudly reads, "Ostroms' Beautiful Barley." I'm looking forward to reading the sequel and happy to have found, through these reviews, where the "real" Beautiful Joe lived and is buried.
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Summary: A lovely book - not just for children!
Review: I had never heard of this book or read it as a child. I found a copy of the 1930 hardback version in an antique shop in the midwest last summer and purchased it just because the cover illustration looked strikingly like a dog my husband and I had recently adopted from a shelter. When I read the book, I was captivated and astonished. You see, my dog (a lovely fawn-colored pit bull) was rescued after having her ears crudely chopped off and burned. She's been a member of our family for nearly two years, and is an obedient, loving companion. The story told from the perspective of the dog reinforces to me that animals are feeling, thinking creatures, put on this earth for humans to care for and give a voice to. I've since become a great advocate for the plight of the American Pit Bull Terrier, which used to be the symbol of American with its courage, loyalty, and tenacity. Unfortunately in this day and age, irresponsible and unfeeling people have tarnished their image greatly by trying to turn them into guard dogs (which they are not) and reaping profits from fighting them. Then, they are usually discarded. Children would do well to read this book to help them learn about kindness to all creatures; adults would enjoy it as well. Because of this book, the name on our dog's AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen) certificate and UKC LP registration proudly reads, "Ostroms' Beautiful Barley." I'm looking forward to reading the sequel and happy to have found, through these reviews, where the "real" Beautiful Joe lived and is buried.
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Summary: So Happy to Find the Book Beautiful Joe
Review: 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!!
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Summary: Beautiful Joe Changed My Life
Review: I heartily endorse this book for dog people, animal lovers, and anyone with a strong sense of ethics. Some of its descriptions of cruelty to animals may seem a bit harsh. However,each instance of cruelty is followed by a scene of dedicated people taking action: i.e., Joe`s kind owner, Laura,rescues a group of starving farm animals. All of the story`s human characters promote kindness to, and humane treatment of animals. Ethical behavior toward people is also stressed. I think that this book has new relevance in this century, as we strive to teach children compassion and humane actions. Saunders never lets the reader forget that her animal characters are animals, not talking people. This is an added bonus, since that is hard to do when writing 'creature fiction'. You`ll find 'Beautiful Joe' hard to put down, touching, and enlightening. A must-read!
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Summary: Yes, the dog has a point of view!
Review: This book is a period piece, over 100 years old but more timely now, perhaps, than when it was first published. It is written "first person" from the dog's point of view, to show that animals do indeed feel pain and happiness, physical and emotional, and to draw you into an empathic relationship with Joe. We have not come very far in the last 100 years, I'm afraid. People are still fighting their pit bulls when they could be having other kinds of competitions with them, they are still beating and abusing, they are still dumping their dogs at shelters or worse simply because they are tired of them or don't want to deal with them. This book is still as much needed as it was in the late 1800's when people were beating tired horses to make them go. If you are concentrating on helping people rather than animals, remember that most serial killers start with animal cruelty and work up to killing people. I think everyone needs to read this at least once when they are young. Who knows...?
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Summary: My greatest treasure
Review: This book touched my heart, I found it at a yard sale about 10 yrs ago and when I opened it I was so surprised, I have the third edition dated 1895, it also has a letter after the Preface , it is dated March 27th 1894 the letter is from I think Johbel Abercleen or Aberdeen from Standard Publishing CO. Can you tell me about this copy I truely love and is one of my prize possetions, you may email me at geegee5@hotmail.com Thank you, Denise Martin.
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Summary: My favorite childhood book!
Review: This is a charming, heartwarming story by Beautiful Joe himself. He tells of the cruel mistreatment by his first owner, Mr. Jenkins, and how he was rescued and came to live with the Morris's - the most loving family on earth! His adventures with the other animals in the Morris family will make you laugh and his love for Miss Laura will warm your heart! Some might say this book is just propaganda for the American Humane Society, but I am loving it all over again 45 years after I first read it! Treat yourself
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