"Grief is a strange animal that does peculiar things to us" - Charlie Mackesy’s new book explores grief and hope after The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Charlie Mackesy’s latest book, Always Remember: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse… and the Storm, has arrived in bookshops across the UK. Released on 14 October 2025, it follows the success of his 2019 bestseller, which touched millions with its gentle wisdom and hand-drawn warmth.
Mackesy first captured hearts six years ago with The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. The book sold over ten million copies and appeared in more than 50 languages. Its characters—an anxious boy, a comforting mole, a wary fox, and a wise horse—mirror parts of Mackesy himself and the struggles many face.
His illustrations often grow from personal sorrow. The new work, shaped by his own grief, explores life’s hardships and the fear of losing what we love. It serves as an allegory for difficult times, offering quiet reassurance through ink and words. The original book’s impact went beyond sales. Readers found solace in its pages during lockdown, and some even credited it with saving their lives. Its message of kindness earned Mackesy a reputation as a ‘messiah of compassion’. A short film adaptation later won both a BAFTA and an Oscar in 2022. Yet for Mackesy, success isn’t about awards or fame. He measures it by being a good person and having a family—not wealth or influence.
The new book now fills bookshop windows, its presence a reminder of how Mackesy’s work continues to resonate. Through simple drawings and honest words, he turns private pain into shared comfort. The story’s storm, like its predecessors, speaks to anyone navigating life’s uncertainties.
