The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse Book Review

Ink drawings of a small boy, gray mole, red fox and towering horse sharing thoughts on life and love captured my attention on Instagram about a year ago. Profound captions such as

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

“Kind,” said the boy,

caused my finger to stop scrolling, my eyes to mist and nose to sniffle.

When I found out artist Charlie Mackesy brought his characters to life in a book, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, I was thrilled and knew I HAD to buy one for my very own!

This post contains affiliate links.

If you also follow Charlie Mackesy on Instagram, you’ll be familiar with some of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse content, as some of the art he shares on social media is part of his hugely popular horse book. The literary graphic novel has earned New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller status! What a trifecta! If you’re not yet following Charlie Mackesy on Instagram (see below), or haven’t purchased the book (click here to buy) what are you waiting for? 🙂

I’m delighted to share the book itself is as beautiful as the sentiments expressed via the horse, mole and boy’s dialogue (the fox doesn’t speak with words very often). The front title is in a shimmery copper color and the interior feels personal as Charlie’s introduction is in his distinctive cursive. Each page is dripping with warmth, affection and hope. The book is hardcover and contains 128 pages of sheer delight.

When the Amazon package of my book arrived at work, I paged through it quickly, excited to see more. Then at lunch time I went to my art teacher friend’s room for lunch and showed her The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, saying, “You’ve GOT to see this!”  I knew she would LOVE it!

She smiled, eagerly opened the book and said, “Is it all right if I take it home and look at it tonight?” I agreed, even though I was a little sad I would have to wait to drink it all in. #kindness

Love horse books? Check out this review of The Perfect Horse.

The tenderness of the characters initially reminded me of the interaction with Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin. Charlie Mackesy’s boy and his furry friends adventure in the great outdoors too, yet their interactions are marked by deep interpersonal expression (I know a mole, fox and horse aren’t people, but you get what I mean). They philosophize and share their fears and desires.

Favorite Quotes from The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

I have more than one favorite drawing and quote, but I’ll share just a couple with you. One that really speaks to me shows the horse lying down and the boy seated, with his head nuzzled up next to his steed’s face. The horse says, “Asking for help isn’t giving up. . . it’s refusing to give up.”

Another one shows the boy and the mole riding double as the strong horse strides through the woods with this caption–I’m tearing up as I type this–“‘Sometimes I think you believe in me more than I do,’ said the boy. ‘You’ll catch up,’ said the horse.” I wonder if that’s what my horse Knight would say to me if he could. 

As a horse person and animal lover, there is something about this art that is deeply personal and sweet. When I see Mackesy’s wise and gentle horse, I can’t help but think about Knight. In the book there’s a series of sweeping images with the horse sporting wings. He has a secret and that is he can fly. When lost in The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse or sitting atop my equine best friend, I don’t fly, but my fears, negativity and doubt do fly away. And that is a beautiful thing indeed. Thank you Knight, and thank you horse, boy, mole and fox. And thank you, Charlie.

Question: What horse books have stirred something in your soul lately? Leave your pick in the comments section.

Thanks for reading and tally ho!

Join my email list for horse-centric people just like you and me. CLICK HERE to get the scoop about fun new products, horse books and equestrian inspiration via twice-a-month emails. No spam.

Trot along with Knight and me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.