Publisher's Synopsis
Published in 1893, "Beautiful Joe" was the first Canadian book to sell a million copies. It was also extremely popular in America. A work of fiction told from the dog's point of view, it is based upon the true story of an abused dog. "Beautiful Joe" reflects many of the unfortunate realities of society in those days, but it had an incredible impact upon the Western world's ideas about humane treatment of animals. "Beautiful Joe" is a wonderful and enriching story which teaches everyday values as told through the eyes of a dog. It teaches amazing compassion and that the golden rule doesn't apply just to humans. It begs for people to be the best that they can, provides the basic credo of the humane society. It makes you think twice when you see a stray-or even a rat! In a world where respect for human life is not always apparent, it appeals to the human spirit in all. By teaching kids to first love and respect animals, "Beautiful Joe" helps them to become better people. Though the beginning of the book is very sad, the story is full of memorable characters such as Malta the cat, Jim the spaniel, Billy the fox-terrier, Bella the parrot, and of course, "Beautiful Joe." There are humans in the story as well, such as Miss Laura, Ned, Willie, Jack, and Cousin Harry. Though some scenes are heart-rending, this book reminds us too that we have much to still work on in the area of animal cruelty. In the tradition of "Black Beauty," "Beautiful Joe" has done much to enlighten readers for many years, and remains a classic that rings true today.
