The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse - The Animated Story

by Charlie Mackesy

The companion book to the BAFTA and Oscar winning animated short film.A journey, in search of home...This beautifully made hardback celebrates the work of over 100 animators across two years of production - with Charlie's distinctive illustrations brought to life in full colour with hand-drawn traditional animation and accompanying hand-written script."I made a film with some friends about a boy, a mole, a fox and a horse - their journey together and the boy's search for home. I hope this book gives you courage and makes you feel loved." Love Charlie x

Genres: Fiction, Graphic Novels, Childrens, Fantasy, Picture Books, Middle Grade, Art

192 pages, Hardcover

First published December 6, 2022

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has once again made me weep the sweetest tears :,)

Thank you Charlie!

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this story/book a few years ago and was enchanted by the gentle and loving story as well as whimsical illustrations. Here is my review for the original edition.

Not long ago, I saw that there was an „animated“ version and after seeing how cute the slightly different art was, I had to get it, too.




The story is the same. Apparently, the reason for this different version of the book is that AppleTV+ picked up the story and there will be an animated movie about it (I‘ll have to check because whether it‘ll be a movie or a mini series, I‘ll definitely watch it).

Gentle (I call them quiet) stories are relatively rare. This was very thoughtful and touching in addition to being charming so it deserves all the promotion and love it can get. And no, I don‘t know which version I like better - both styles have advantages and disadvantages.

[Daniella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ik ben alleen maar aan het huilen hoe mooi dit is. De afbeeldingen, het verhaal… De tekst! POH

[Mohammadreza · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Nothing beats kindness; it sits quietly beyond all things!

Isn't it odd, we can only see our outside but nearly everything happens on the inside.

One of our greatest freedoms is how we react to things

I think home is somewhere warm and kind, with light.

Doing nothing with friends is never doing nothing, is it?

I think you believe in me more than I do.
Life is difficult but you are loved.

This storm will pass.

[jess.manora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Der Zeichenstil, die Geschichte, die Botschaften… es war so wunderschön! 😍

[lxvanessaxl · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐️
Dieses Buch ist einfach so so unglaublich schön!!! 🥹💗🫶🏼 Ich liebe einfach alles daran.
Die Geschichte ist süß, berührend und regt einen zum nachdenken an, die Illustrationen sind toll und ganz nebenbei hat es auch noch eine super tolle Message!!!
Meiner Meinung nach definitiv ein Buch für klein und groß. 🫶🏼😍 Kann euch das Buch so so sehr ans Herz legen und auch wenn es teuer ist, es ist jeden Cent wert!!!

[prozaczytana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nowa wersja jest nieco inna niż ta pierwsza, która ukazała się w Polsce w 2019 roku - jest fabularyzowana i wzbogacona bardziej dopracowanymi ilustracjami, jednak nadal opiera się na tej samej konwencji. Tytułowy chłopiec poszukuje domu, a kiedy na jego drodze pojawiają się zwierzęta - kret, lis i koń - wszyscy zaczynają zastanawiać się nad istotnymi kwestiami życiowymi.

Mam słabość do tej historii i wcale tego nie kryję. Co prawda, pierwsza wersja ma specjalne miejsce w moim sercu, bo była czymś świeżym i nowym, natomiast ta jest również przepiękna oraz wartościowa. Rozczulają mnie te niby zwyczajne prawdy życiowe, ale tak mądre i trafne w swojej prostocie. Uwielbiam i polecam każdemu bez zastanowienia - nieważne ile macie lat, będziecie zachwyceni.

[Avonlea Gal · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
“Kind.”
THIS IS SOO CUTE

[Suhasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read with audiobook 23/7/25: Even better with the audiobook with sound effects and some great music. Never fails to disappoint no matter how many times you re-read. Can't wait for "Always Remember"!!!



As amazing as the animated movie on which this illustrated book is based, which was based on the original short story.

"I think you believe in me more than I do" said the boy.
"You'll catch up"

"Doing nothing with friends is never doing nothing, is it?" said the boy.

Illustrations are so wonderfully painted and by the same team that made the movie if I'm not mistaken. Highly recommended to watch the movie before reading this animated story.

Off to watch the movie again!!

[Herz auf der Zunge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicht ganz so wunderbar wie Teil 1, aber immer noch wunderschön

[Hedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nii ilus, puhas ja siiras lugu sõprusest, headusest, valikute tegemistest ja armastusest. Seal on otsimis ja, leidmist ning õppimisest nägema asju, mis on otse nina all ning päriselt olulised.
Lugesin selle raamatu koos lapsega läbi ning talle väga meeldis seda kuulata, imekaunitest piltidest ma ei pea mainimagi, sest no vaadake ise kui ilus raamat see on...

⭐️"Kes sa suurena olla tahad?" küsis mutt.
"Hea," ütles poiss.

⭐️"Abi palumine ei ole alla andmine," ütles hobune.
"See on alla andmisest keeldumine."

[Kariss Ainsworth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a bit lost with this one, think I just expected more. The illustration is lovely but the story itself is just a bit lame. The message is about as subtle as a brick and a lot of the lines just feel forced in to be quotes. Cute none the less

[Melly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love this 💕 the illustrations are incredible and the story is heartwarming

[Marloes · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4⭐️

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent!!!

I loved the original book as well as every spin-off and parody that it has inspired. I didn't think a follow-up would wow me any more but boy, was I wrong. This was a fantastic and deeply moving read. While the vibes are the same, it offers refreshing content and plenty of lessons that's just as wonderful as the original.

Don't even get me started on the illustrations! They are even more vivid, breathtaking and richer than before since this is based on the animated film. Gosh, what a visual feast.

I loved every single page of this magical, spellbinding and incredible read. Don't miss it!

Favourite quotes:

✨ "Imagine how we would be if we were less afraid."

✨ "One of our greatest freedoms is how we react to things."

✨ "Tears fall for a reason and they are your strength, not weakness."

✨ "Asking for help isn't giving up. It's refusing to give up."

[Yv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Het originele boek prijkt al een aantal jaar bovenaan mijn Top-1o. Na het succes van dit verhaal, werd er een korte film over uitgebracht en hiermee ook 'Het geanimeerde verhaal' van het boek. Geen herhaling in kleur, maar een nieuw avontuur met de bekende personages. De prenten zijn nóg mooier en vooral veel sprekender in kleur, maar het verhaal is minder sterk. Waar de eerste editie vooral door de levenslessen en boodschappen haar kracht vond, is het verhaal in dit boek over een thuis wat langgerekt en niet zo indrukwekkend. Toch is het een pareltje om in de kast te hebben.

[Klaudia (Czytelniczka z Księżyca) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"- czasem wydaje się, że wierzycie we mnie mocniej niż ja w samego siebie.
- W końcu uwierzysz."

"- Jaka jest najodważniejsza rzecz, jaką kiedykolwiek powiedziałeś?
- Pomóż mi."

"- Gdy zaczyna ci się wydawać, że nie masz wpływu na wielkie sprawy... skup się na tym, co kochasz i masz pod nosem.
Burza przejdzie."

[zoskaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Czytam to drugi raz w innej wersji i za tym razem równie mocno chwyta mnie za serce ;)) uwielbiam

[Oliwia (flea_book) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kwintesencja egzystencji zamknięta w przecudownie namalowanej historii i prostych dialogach 💙
Czego chcieć więcej?

[Sabrina Ye · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 solid stars 😍😭 It's just as beautiful and heart-warming as the animation ❤️❤️❤️

[Shikha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Looks like a collection of few quotes from Pinterest with beautiful artwork.

[Guðrún Gunnarsdóttir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Svoooo hlýtt í hjartað❤️ Mikilvægur lestur fyrir alla, ekki síður fyrir fullorðna til að minna aðeins á mikilvægi litlu hlutanna. Klárlega 5 stjörnur. Myndirnar voru lika GUUUULLFALLEGAR✨⭐️❤️

[Sarah McCartney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, wise and beautiful.

[Kari Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so worth a read. Beautiful illustrations and an absolutely beautiful story. It has amazing depth and good lessons for young and old.

[Rosalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

« Demander de l’aide, ce n’est pas abandonner, dit le cheval. C’est refuser d’abandonner. »
Douceur apaisante et beauté infinie ✨🤍

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just love it so much. It’s full of wisdom and emotions and humor. Without using a lot of words every character has his own personality and goal. I just want to give this book to everyone I know, because it is so beautiful. I liked the contradiction between the wise horse and the mole who loved cake.

[روابي · Rating 5 out of 5]

لما الناس قالو انهم يبكون عليها ما فهمت واللحين احس اوكي تمام عندهم وجهة نطر

[Marjolein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just one word: beautiful ❤️

[Anvi (warner's version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The animations are so pretty. ❤️❤️❤️ 5/5 ⭐️

[Helen_t_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie Mackesy's original book has been turned into an animated film which will be shown on TV this Christmas, and this new edition is the book of the film.
It portrays the supportive and loving friendship that is forged by the book title's characters, as they go on a journey in search of the lost boy’s home.
The illustrations are breathtakingly beautiful and it retains the gentle, life affirming, and inspirational spirit of the original volume, reinforcing the absolute importance of love and friendship, and the fact that home does not have to be a geographical or physical place, and is a sense or feeling.
Profoundly beautiful and moving, and will be loved by readers of any age.