How to Read Charlie Mackesy's Books
Charlie Mackesy has touched the lives of millions with his signature ink illustrations and gentle, handwritten dialogues. Because his books are less about complex plotlines and more about emotional exploration, his reading order is simple. However, understanding the relationship between the original book, the animated companion, the true sequel, and his early collaborative illustration projects will help you get the most out of his heartwarming universe.
We recommend reading his core books in their logical order of emotional progression. This path allows you to meet the characters as they first form their bonds and then follow them as they navigate life's inevitable challenges together.
The Recommended Reading Order
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The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (2019)
This is where your journey must begin. The book serves as the foundational introduction to the four distinct characters who have captured the hearts of readers worldwide. Through simple, sparse conversations and elegant ink-and-watercolor drawings, the boy (who is full of questions), the mole (who is obsessed with cake), the fox (who is quiet and guarded), and the horse (who is wise and gentle) discover the true meaning of friendship, vulnerability, and love. Reading this first establishes the bonds between the characters and introduces the core philosophy of Mackesy's work: that asking for help is not a weakness, but an act of courage.
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Always Remember: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse and the Storm (2025)
Published in October 2025, this is the true narrative and emotional sequel to the 2019 masterpiece. It is the first major continuation of the four friends' adventures. In this book, the characters face an external and internal challenge: a massive storm. The storm serves as a poignant metaphor for life's hardships, grief, anxiety, and periods of deep uncertainty. As they navigate the wind and rain, the friends learn to support one another through dark times, reinforcing the message that no matter how severe the storm, the blue sky remains above the clouds and the storm will eventually pass. Read this immediately after the original book to see how the friends' bond deepens during adversity.
Understanding the Companion and Adaptation Editions
Aside from the core narrative path, Mackesy has released alternative versions and adaptations of his work. These are not sequels, but parallel entries that offer different ways to experience the same comforting world.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse: The Animated Story (2022)
Released in November 2022, this book was created as a companion to the Oscar-winning animated short film broadcast on the BBC and Apple TV+. While the story covers the same emotional ground as the original 2019 book, the formatting is vastly different. Instead of minimalist ink sketches on cream-colored paper, this edition features vibrant, full-color digital backgrounds and hand-drawn cell-animation style illustrations taken directly from the film. It also includes some slightly adapted dialogues and scenes unique to the film script. Readers who find the original's cursive handwriting difficult to read, or who prefer a more cinematic and colorful visual style, will find this a beautiful alternative or companion read.
The Special Audio Experience
If you are looking to experience the original story in a new format, the audiobook version of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is highly recommended. Narrated by Charlie Mackesy himself, the audio production is more than just a reading; it is an acoustic landscape. It features a gorgeous piano score by acclaimed composer Max Richter and real-world background soundscapes of rustling leaves, birdsong, and outdoor wildlife. It is best enjoyed as a companion to the physical book, allowing you to listen to Mackesy's warm narration while turning the illustrated pages.
Collaborative Works and Early Illustrations
Long before he became a household name as a bestselling author, Charlie Mackesy was a working artist, cartoonist for The Spectator, and book illustrator for Oxford University Press. Tracking down these works provides a fascinating look at the development of his signature loose, emotive drawing style.
Tales from Muggleswick Wood (2018 / Republication 2024)
Written by Vicky Cowie and illustrated by Charlie Mackesy, this is a magical bedtime treasury containing five interlinked rhyming stories (including Kevin the Kelpie and Melvin the Mole). The illustrations were commissioned and drawn early in Mackesy's career when he and Cowie, who are long-time friends, collaborated on the project. Though originally self-published in 2018, the book was picked up and republished by Bloomsbury Children's Books in November 2024 to bring Mackesy's early whimsical woodland art to a wider global audience.
It's Not OK to Feel Blue (and other lies) (2019)
This is a mental health anthology curated and edited by Scarlett Curtis. It brings together essays, stories, and reflections from various public figures. Charlie Mackesy contributed both written thoughts and illustrations to this collection. His contribution aligns perfectly with the themes of mental health, vulnerability, and self-compassion found in his main books, making it a valuable read for dedicated fans who want to explore his personal thoughts on emotional well-being.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Charlie Mackesy's books, there are a few practical considerations that will enhance your reading experience:
- The Handwritten Style: The text in the original 2019 book and the 2025 sequel is written in Mackesy's own elegant, flowing cursive script. While visually striking, some readers (including young children, non-native English speakers, and individuals with dyslexia or visual impairments) may find it difficult to decipher. If this is a concern, The Animated Story companion book features a clearer, semi-typed font that is much easier to read.
- The Reading Pace: These are not books to be rushed. Though they contain very few words and can technically be flipped through in under twenty minutes, they are designed as reflective fables. The optimal way to read them is slowly, taking time to contemplate the handwritten quotes and let the emotional weight of the illustrations settle.
- Standalone Quality: Every single book in Mackesy's bibliography can be picked up and read entirely on its own. While the sequence of 2019 to 2025 shows a progression, there are no cliffhangers or complex lore to memorize. You can open any page at random during a difficult day and find a gentle reminder of hope and kindness.