English novelist Anna Sewell (1820-1878) could not stand or walk without a crutch for the rest of her life after a fall at fourteen. She wrote Black Beauty (1877) ‘to induce kindness, sympathy, and an understanding of the treatment of horses. The novel, now an all-time best-selling children’s classic, was instrumental in abolishing the cruel practice of the checkrein.

Bhaskar Roy, born on August 21, 1951, is a renowned reteller of European classics. He graduated with First Class Honours in Physics from Cotton College, Guwahati in 1970 and has made significant contributions in various fields. He is a national scholar, has directed documentaries, translated scientific texts, and taught French at Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture in Golpark. Furthermore, he has translated Bengali classics into English and adapted European classics for children and young adults.