The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse follows the story of a boy traveling through the wild. Throughout his journey, he meets a mole, a fox, and a horse. “The boy is full of questions, the mole is greedy for cake, the fox is mainly silent and wary because he’s been hurt by life. The horse is the biggest thing they have encountered, and also the gentlest.”

I had originally heard of this book during the end of 8th grade, when we were pushed into our homes. I felt isolated and helpless. My English teacher at the time waited on WebEx to give students extra help and no one seemed to show up, so I thought I’d log on. It didn’t need help, just someone “new” to talk to. She shared with me a beautiful illustration of a horse telling a boy, “‘Sometimes just getting up and carrying on is brave and magnificent.’”

After three years or so, I finally have my own copy. I read through every page, from start to finish in one night.

This book by Charlie Mackesy is a beautiful piece of art. The illustrations are simple yet elegant. There are also pages of top tier shading. They capture the essence of a childlike heart, allowing the reader to feel connected and at peace throughout the book. 

Though the book follows a story, Mackesy encourages the reader to start anywhere within the book. In most books this is usually a tricky feat to approach, but in The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse it’s definitely doable. Each page holds a special message that every person can relate to regardless of where they start. 

Anyone, whether an avid reader or not, can start and finish this book. Anyone can connect to at least one of these pages, whether through the simplicity of the writing or the complexity of the images. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse tells readers that it’s ok to not be perfect and that we are all loved.

I would definitely recommend this book to everyone I know. It is a beautiful piece of art that deserves to be shared.

I would give The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse a 10/10.