Book Report: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse

29. Charlie Mackesy, The Boy, The Mole, the Fox, and the Horse (2019) (5/28/21)

I saw mention of this book on FB. I was drawn simply by the image of the cover, and the title. And I figured a children's book or two could help me keep up with my reading challenge—I'm a little behind in May. 

The book arrived today, and I read it quickly—the calligraphed words, anyway. Though a good part of the "reading" of this book involves the beautiful illustrations, and those I will need to go back and give more time to. 

The story is simple: a boy meets a mole (who loves cake) and then a fox who has been caught in a snare but whom the mole saves by chewing through the tether, even though the fox points out, "If I wasn't caught in this snare I would kill you." But the mole is not afraid. Eventually a horse enters the picture. There is much philosophizing—about kindness and self-belief, trust and vulnerability, curiosity and love. "'I think everyone is just trying to get home,' said the mole."

The words on their own are, I daresay, platitudes, but that is easy to forgive. What makes this book beautiful is the artistry: the calligraphy and the drawings. And the unlikely friendship of four sentient beings. And cake. Here are a few pages: