The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
“Kind,” said the boy.
This line sums up Charlie Mackesy’s The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. Full of endearing ink sketches and watercolour paintings, this book touches the parts of ourselves that long to slow down and reflect on what is truly important in life, as well as teaching the reader how to be gentle with themselves and others.
Craft and Artistry
The book is composed of very small, two-page stories as well as standalone illustrations. There’s no discernible storyline with a plot except for the boy, the mole, the fox, and the horse meeting each other and enjoying one another’s company.
This “no-plot” structure was a very different experience from most books I have read, where, for the majority of the time, there is always a plot, even if it is only a loose one. Instead, this book focuses on brief interactions between those we love and the kindness we have the opportunity to extend to others, and I found that this added to the heartwarming and healing nature of the story.
One thing to consider is the cursive handwriting used throughout the book. While it’s beautiful (and I wouldn’t want it any other way), it may be difficult for readers who struggle with cursive. I had to really slow down because of dyslexia (which makes reading cursive difficult) and take my time with it.★★★★★
Themes and Messages
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse offers messages of encouragement, healing, and reflection through its gentle interactions. It asks questions such as: What kind of person do we want to be? How do we deal with pain? And one of my favourites: “Oftentimes, the hardest person to forgive is yourself.”
These comforting reflections make this a perfect book to enjoy with a cup of tea under a cozy blanket.
Many of the messages feel very Christian-coded, echoing themes and truths that are also found in Scripture. I loved this. I believe it is important for Christian artists of all kinds to be able to step into the secular space with truth and kindness. This book does that beautifully, and it is wonderful and exciting to see.★★★★★
Final Thoughts
I don’t think there is a single thing I would change about this book. It is straightforward and lovely, not a book with complex characters, but one that shows "human" interactions as they ought to be: full of kindness, empathy, and encouragement. Over all this book in my eyes is five stars.
Want to Explore More?
If you’d like to learn more about Charlie Mackesy and his work:
🌐 Visit Charlie Mackesy’s official website: https://www.charliemackesy.com/
📸 Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charliemackesy/
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