The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse

Charlie Mackesy

Oct 2019 · Random House

About this eBook

A book for all ages, a book for all times, treasured by millions.

Charlie Mackesy’s The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse was adapted into the BAFTA and Academy Award® winning animated short film.

#1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER · #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” asked the mole.
“Kind,” said the boy.

In this beautiful book, follow 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.

“A wonderful work of art and a wonderful window into the human heart.” Richard Curtis

Ratings and reviews

Understand each and every word, everything mention in this book, because it is something we all need to hear, right now🎈. . This book! It's a gem, a book that I'll treasure forever. A book with beautiful illustrations and a message. Yes, it has a powerful message, answers to many of our questions in a fantastic way. . It's on the friendship between the boy, the mole, the fox and the horse. The greatest lessons of life are explained with simple words and gorgeous illustrations. . It's a book that will make you pause for a moment, make you think and smile. Yes, it's a book that you need whenever you feel low. A book that has stunning sketches and lessons for life. . We all want to be in the world the author created. . Be kind. Be grateful, keep going and love ❤. A wonderful book. Read this book asap.

I bought the hardback version of this book, and I have to be honest, I half expected a novel-like format. Nevertheless, the cursive writings and beautiful ink drawings, as well as the wise quotes of the four characters are precisely what young people need during hard times. I would suggest this book for children between the ages 4 - 9, but anyone can read it and still find it enjoyable :) Note: best read beside a cozy fire with a glass of warm milk

Sometimes...as a philosopher and business executive...you tend to lose sight of the silver lining of things.... This book is exceptionally simplistic in revealing the important values one should strive towards in life...The Author as well as Publishing Company must be praised for having the guts to publish this as the world needs countless more books like this...well done!

About the author

British artist, illustrator and author Charlie Mackesy began his career as a cartoonist for The Spectator, before becoming a book illustrator for Oxford University Press. His award-winning work has been exhibited widely and featured in books, private collections, galleries, school classrooms, hospital wards, prisons, and public spaces around the world.


Charlie worked with Richard Curtis on the set of Love Actually to create a set of drawings to be auctioned for Comic Relief, and with Nelson Mandela on a lithograph project, The Unity Series. His bronzes can be found in public spaces in London, including Highgate Cemetery and the Brompton Road.


His internationally bestselling book, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, was published in October 2019 and holds the record for the most consecutive weeks in the Sunday Times Non-Fiction Chart across all formats as well as being the longest running Sunday Times Non-Fiction Number One of all time. A number one New York Times best-seller, it is one of eight books since 2013 that has remained on the number one New York Times Bestseller and on the New York Times Advice, Misc. Best Seller list.


Charlie's beloved book is the first ever book to be awarded both the Waterstones Book of the Year and Barnes and Noble Book of the Year (2019) and has been translated into over 50 different languages.


In 2023, the short animated film adaption of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse won the BAFTA Award for Best British Film, the Academy Award for Best Animated Short film and five Annie Awards including Best Special Production. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse: The Animated Story was published in November 2023 to accompany the animated short film.


Away from art, Charlie co-runs Mama Buci, a honey social enterprise in Zambia that helps families of low and no income become beekeepers. He lives between Brixton and Suffolk with his dog Barney.