The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (Hardcover)

Staff Reviews
You can gift this book to anyone from age eight to eighty-eight! Stunningly simple, eloquent yet accessible. This is a classic gift book!
— Maureen PalaciosDescription
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER · WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER · USA TODAY BESTSELLER
“The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is not only a thought-provoking, discussion-worthy story, the book itself is an object of art.”- Elizabeth Egan, The New York Times
From British illustrator, artist, and author Charlie Mackesy comes a journey for all ages that explores life’s universal lessons, featuring 100 color and black-and-white drawings.
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” asked the mole.
“Kind,” said the boy.
Charlie Mackesy offers inspiration and hope in uncertain times in this beautiful book, following the tale of a curious boy, a greedy mole, a wary fox and a wise horse who find themselves together in sometimes difficult terrain, sharing their greatest fears and biggest discoveries about vulnerability, kindness, hope, friendship and love. The shared adventures and important conversations between the four friends are full of life lessons that have connected with readers of all ages.
About the Author
Charlie Mackesy was born during a snowy winter in Northumberland. He has been a cartoonist for The Spectator and a book illustrator for Oxford University Press. He has collaborated with Richard Curtis for Comic Relief, and Nelson Mandela on a lithograph project, “The Unity Series.” He has lived and painted in South Africa, Southern Africa and New Orleans, and co-runs a social enterprise, Mama Buci, in Zambia, which helps families of low and no income to become beekeepers. He lives in London but is often in Suffolk. Visit him at charliemackesy.com
Praise For…
“The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is not only a thought-provoking, discussion-worthy story, the book itself is an object of art.”
— New York Times
“The world that I long to inhabit is the one that Charlie Mackesy has created – a world of infinite kindness, wisdom, mutual care and tenderness, and true love between real friends. My prayer/hope is that our world will become more like this one.”
— Elizabeth Gilbert, New York Times bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love and Big Magic
"Love, friendship, and kindness--this book speaks a universal language."
— Bear Grylls
"A wonderful work of art and a wonderful window into the human heart"
— Richard Curtis
"Simply, the world need's Charlie's work right now."
— Miranda Hart
“A sweet tale rendered in swirly black calligraphy and watercolor. Childlike in its simplicity, its messages are universal. . . . Mackesy has brought people together.”
— The Washington Post
“A lonely boy ambles through the countryside on a spring day, finding companionship: first meeting the mole, then the other animals of the title. As they walk, the new friends talk, wonder, share their hopes and fears and pose some big questions. . . . A big hit.”
— The Philadelphia Inquirer
“A delightful treat of a book. . . . If there were classes on how to be a good person, this book would be the textbook.”
— Horse Nation
Staff Picks
Spin the Dawn was a book full of history and powerful feminist characters. An unusual book with an interesting set of tasks to be conquered. A great book for a curious reader. Fun, crazy, and mysterious characters make the characters storng and full of secrets. An exciting read! Great for everyone 14 and up. Kaitlyn R., customer age 14