Always Remember: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse and the Storm

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse and the Storm

by Charlie Mackesy

The brand-new book from Charlie Mackesy, revisiting the much-loved world of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES INSTANT BESTSELLER * USA TODAY BESTSELLER

‘One day you’ll look back and realise how hard it was, and just how well you did’

Charlie Mackesy’s four unlikely friends are wandering through the wilds again. They’re not sure what they are looking for. They do know that life can be difficult, but that they love each other, and cake is often the answer. 

When the dark clouds come, can the boy remember what he needs to get through the storm?

The hugely anticipated new book from Charlie Mackesy, revisiting the much-loved world of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse – the internationally bestselling book, with over ten million readers around the world.

This beautiful paper-over-board hardcover includes a dark blue satin ribbon, textured blue quarter bind, illustrated endpapers, and cream sketchbook-quality paper.

Genres: Fiction, Graphic Novels, Art, Poetry, Childrens, Picture Books, Philosophy

128 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 14, 2025

About the author

Charlie Macksey 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.' Collectors of Mackesy's works include Elizabeth Gilbert, Whoopi Goldberg, Roger Waters, Richard Curtis, The Murdoch Freuds, Tim Bevan, M. Night Shyamalan, Bear Grylls, Howard Goodall, Harry Enfield, and Sting. He has lived and painted in South Africa, Southern Africa, and New Orleans. He co-runs a social enterprise, Mama Buci, in the Zambian copperbelt, which helps families of low and no income to become beekeepers.

Reviews

[Carolyn Marie]

Thank you, Charlie Macksey, for giving the world more hope, love, kindness, and courage through your beautiful artwork and comforting words.

We can find parts of ourselves, and our own experiences, in each of the characters. The mole feels especially familiar… *starts dreaming of muffins, pastries, and other sweet treats*

This book, and its predecessor, are true companions. I know they’ll continue to help me through life, as I’m sure they’ll help you through yours as well.

~ Notes on the illustrations (as an illustrator myself) ~
~ I loved how Charlie Macksey used different mediums throughout the book! It made turning each page such a thrill. As I read, I eagerly awaited to see what my eyes would feast upon next… *thinks of feasting upon cake*
~ I admire how gestural each piece of art is, because I often draw very tightly. The loose fluidity of the line work is truly inspiring.
~ The ripped page with the sheet music and notes peaking through was brilliant!!!
~ Each and every little artistic detail was a dream come true for this fellow animal, nature, music, art, word, and cake lover.

[Emma.catherine]

This is one of those books that belongs in every home 🏡

5 years ago, at the lowest point in my life, sat alone in a mental hospital, I was gifted ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse’ by a dear friend. It gave me a small slice of hope that has grown slowly over time.

This Christmas I am in a very different place, mentally and geographically, and once again I was gifted this very special book - ‘Always remember’

Despite being stronger, I can still (if not more) appreciate the beauty that lies within these pages.

'One day you'll look back and realise how hard it was, and just how well you did' 👣 😭 💖 ✨

Always remember is a book of unbelievable beauty. Easily read in one sitting, every page is to be cherished. Filled with stunning illustrations and incredibly touching messages, this is a book I know I will come back to time and time again. Furthermore, this is a book for all ages, reminding us that no matter what storm comes our way, we are loved, valued, and there are always blue skies on the horizon.

5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Heather]

I had the privilege of seeing Charlie speak about this book last night. It has the same characters you know and love from The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse. They are vulnerable, they learn from each other, and they go on a new journey. And Mole still loves cake. This book has beautiful, colourful illustrations by Charlie, with more artistic styles showcased than in his first book. The art is gorgeous. The messages are valuable and heartfelt. This book feels like a warm hug on a cold winter’s day.

[Lexi]

4.5⭐️

To end 2025 with this book, let alone this series, is some kind of wonderful. As this overwhelming and difficult December comes to an end, I plan to carry every word that I have just read with me into and throughout 2026. Don’t be surprised if next December you see me read both book again. Just kindly hit the like button and look away. 🤭🤭🤭.

“One day you’ll look back and realise how hard it was, and just how well you did.”

“Be patient with yourself. Shouting at a flower won’t make it bloom.”

“Be kind to your soft wild heart.”

“One of the kindest things you can do is be gentle with yourself.”

“There were dark days, but you didn’t give up.”

“Often the best answer is just to listen.”

“Sometimes the tiniest act of kindness can save a life.”

“I know my mind can play tricks on me, and tell me I’m no good, that it’s all hopeless. But I need to remember who I am, that I am loved, I matter, and I bring to this world things no one else can. So I’ll hold on.”

“I think it’s time to be a friend to myself…to start loving myself.”

“Hope is the quiet song in your heart that can sing in spite of everything.”

“It takes courage to love.”

“Some flowers bloom later than others, and they are spectacular when they do. Take all the time you need.”

“This life. Seize it.”
~~~~~~~
***Pre-Read:*** I have spent the last 3 days restless. Not being able to find peace and quiet in order read has been exhausting. Oooghmee!!! 😩😩😩!!! And now, the time has come for me to read my final book of 2025. 🥺🥺🥺.

[Zoe]

"One day you'll look back and realise how hard it was, and just how well you did."

Feels a bit like fate that this arrived on my doorstop today as I really needed to hear these words. Thank you to Charlie Mackesy for always having the right words, combined with some absolutely fantastic illustrations. While I am always at risk of crying with these characters, I never fail to appreciate them!

[Kristy]

❤️

[Soula Kosti]

The illustrations are as always stunning but I found the inspirational quotes to be pretty common and not as inspiring. It didn’t feel like a story but it read more as self-help quotes in my opinion.

[We_Read_ at_Dawn]

Charlie Mackesy just has it. The Heart strings are always pulled and in the best way possible.

His books feel like a big hug, a warm cup of coffee, and a breath of fresh air.

Not to mention the beautiful illustrations that come with such uplifting stories.

I can’t get enough of these books!

I love them:)

Happy reading!

[endlessbookclub]

Devoured in one setting despite my best efforts to savour each page. The illustrations and messages were so adorable and I’m the mole and the mole is me :’)

[Tammie]

This book is absolutely beautiful and for all ages. Read it, you won’t regret it!

[Dannii Elle]

First Read: December 2025, Rating: 5/5 stars
Second Read: May 2026, Rating: 5/5 stars

This is a book that will make you sob and make you feel seen. No matter your story.

"When you think of everyone you love," said the fox, "I hope you include yourself."

[Hamad]

Reading this felt like a hug and I needed that! 🫂

[Demi Stein]

Gewoon weer prachtig ❤️

[Lavins]

10000000 stars

Randomly one night I saw the TV Apple adaptation of this book and it was absolutely amazing, beautiful, wonderful, magic, fantastic.

If you haven't seen the TV Apple animated version, do yourself a favor, go watch it. It doesn't matter if you're 80 years old, 32, 16 etc. Watch it! It's worth every second.

And then, read the book.

[Elham psn]

پسرک گفت: «نمی‌تونم هیچ راهی رو پیش روم ببینم.»
«می‌تونی قدم بعدیت رو ببینی؟»
«آره»
«همون یه قدم رو بردار.»
پسرک پرسید: «اگه از قدم بعدیم بترسم، چی؟»
اسب جواب داد: «نفس بکش. همین می‌تونه قدم بعدی باشه.»

[Philip]

Virtually the same comments as my review of Mackesy's earlier book; a charming if simple (and ultimately repetitive) message, but just exquisite illustrations — largely in the same pen & ink style, but (as can be seen on the cover) with much more color, as well as some full-on watercolor paintings. Gorgeous and moving.

A Christmas gift from my son.

[Dana Al-Basha | دانة الباشا]

Charlie outdid himself yet again... what a wonderful book, so beautiful, kind, and magical. I love his work.

[Jon Davis]

Honestly maybe I’m just a hater, but the writing is poop from a butt. There’s no narrative aside from the boy getting lost for four pages. Every page is just some inspirational garbage that probably goes crazy on suburban mom facebook interspersed with pages of the mole talking about how much he loves cake. They might as well have replaced the mole with a minion and it would be just as “inspirational”.

That being said, the art is very pretty so I give the art 2 stars and the writing -5 stars.

[Synne Hansen]

Illustrasjonene. Sitatene. Yes 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼

“Be patient with yourself. Shouting at a flower won’t make it bloom”

[Amber (ambervgn) :)]

“als je denkt dat iedereen van je houdt…’ zei de vos. ‘hoop ik dat je jezelf daar ook toe rekent.”

de tekeningen van dit boek zijn zo waanzinnig mooi, nog mooier dan die van deel 1. en het lettertype is nu ook beter leesbaar. echt een aanrader voor jong en oud 🤍

“heb geduld met jezelf. van schreeuwen tegen een bloem gaat hij niet bloeien”

[Axellesbooks]

Een warm dekentje voor de ziel.

[Harun Ahmed]

উপদেশ গল্পের সাথে মানানসই হলে ভালো লাগে। এবারে শুধুই উপদেশ, সাথে কোনো গল্প নেই। তাই খুব একটা উপভোগ করতে পারলাম না।

[Kristin]

Always Remember is a continuation of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse. I didn’t see as much content that felt new and original, but I still greatly enjoyed it. If you don’t know these books, they are full of loving themes for living your best life, being positive and loved. This one in particular is about persevering even through hard times. It is full of positive self-talk messages. My favorite message was this: “This is getting harder, said the boy. “Then every step you take is a bigger victory.” (said the horse.) The format could be perceived as a graphic novel, but I see it as more of a philosophical story with illustrations.

[Anvi (warner's version)]

“When you think of everyone you love, I hope you include yourself.” ❤️

[bookandachai]

“Have you ever seen anything so wonderful? “Well …” said the mole “I was lost in a cake shop once.”

[Samidha; समिधा]

It was beautiful but it wasn’t linear or strung together with a common pattern so I struggled with it a bit.

[Anne Luz]

van mijn vader gekregen voor mijn verjaardag en dat voelde alsof hij een deel van mij zag, ook al praten we er niet veel over

[Fo]

پیشگفتار: اسم کتاب، همیشه بادت باشد است از چارلی مکسی و چاپ‌ نشر میلکان
مکسی فرمول جذابی برای ارائه پیدا کرده است: ترکیب نقاشی با تک جمله‌های زیبا. نقاشی‌ها نسبت به کتاب اول (پسرک، موش کور و …) متنوع‌تر، بزرگتر و رنگارنگ‌تر هستند. کلمات هم نه به حد کتاب اول ولی زیبا هستند. کتاب را می‌شود به راحتی در یک جلسه خواند، البته که عمق جملات به اندازه‌ای هست که می‌شود (یا باید) کتاب را در فواصل زمانی مختلف دوباره خواند

[Grace Mal]

Guys, I read the introduction and started weeping.
This book was exactly what I needed--I think it might be even better than the first. A bold statement, I know. But, everything he said...I needed to take a small break after every page. It just hurt in all the right ways. I giggled and sobbed and marveled at the amazing art.
This should be required reading for everyone. It is a masterpiece. The words are for everyone, the art is gorgeous, and the message is one we all need to hear.
Thank you, Charlie!!!

[Kriti | Armed with A Book]

Reading Always Remember by Charlie Mackesy felt like a warm reminder to pause, breathe, and love myself through the hard moments. I thought about my new mom days a lot — how hard they were, and how well we did. Read my full review with some pages from the book on my blog (https://armedwithabook.com/always-rem...).