The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse

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What to expect

Narrated by Charlie Mackesy.

Brought to you by Penguin.

With music by Max Richter and Isobel Waller-Bridge.

Discover the universal tale of four unlikely friends that has captured the hearts of readers of all ages, now available in audio.

Adapted into a BAFTA and Academy Award-winning animated short film.


Experience the world of a curious boy, a greedy mole, a wary fox and a wise horse who find themselves together in sometimes difficult terrain, sharing their greatest fears and biggest discoveries about vulnerability, kindness, hope, friendship and love.

Charlie's words and illustrations have brought comfort to many and have been shared online by readers around the world, as well as on t-shirts for Comic Relief, on magazine covers, on street lampposts in lockdown, in school classrooms, local cafés, and hospital ward walls. They've even been used as screensavers for NHS hospital computers in difficult times.

The shared adventures and important conversations between the four friends are full of life lessons that have connected with readers of all ages.

Enjoy the journey of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse brought to life in audio by its author and illustrator Charlie Mackesy, with a beautiful music score and the real wildlife sounds of rural England.

© Charlie Mackesy 2019 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

Charlie Mackesy's mesmerizing debut combines the simplicity of "The Giving Tree", magic of "The Velveteen Rabbit" and the curiosity of "Paddington" - Elisabeth Egan, New York Times
This is one of my favourite books - Dr Rangan Chatterjee
Gorgeous - Chris Evans

Critics Review

  • Wise words

    James Corden
  • Charlie Mackesy’s mesmerizing debut combines the simplicity of ‘The Giving Tree’, magic of ‘The Velveteen Rabbit’ and the curiosity of ‘Paddington’

    The New York Times
  • Simply, the world needs Charlie’s work right now.

    Miranda Hart
  • Love, friendship and kindness – this book speaks a universal language.

    Bear Grylls
  • A wonderful work of art and a wonderful window into the human heart.

    Richard Curtis

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