The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2019Comics & Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels

94%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

A gentle illustrated fable about a boy, mole, fox, and horse sharing wisdom about kindness, vulnerability, and what matters most in life.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

book

2019, Comics & Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels

94%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

A gentle illustrated fable about a boy, mole, fox, and horse sharing wisdom about kindness, vulnerability, and what matters most in life.

4.8

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4.8

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the book equivalent of a warm hug. Charlie Mackesy created something rare: a modern fable that doesn't feel forced or saccharine, just genuinely kind.

The illustrations are gorgeous, the wisdom is real, and the whole thing takes maybe 30 minutes to read but will stick with you for years. It's the kind of book you buy multiple copies of because you keep giving it away.

Is it plot-driven? No. Is it going to thrill your Minecraft-obsessed 8-year-old? Probably not. But for bedtime reading, for tough days, for conversations about feelings and friendship, this is gold. And honestly, you might need it as much as your kid does.

Age Fit

This works for early elementary kids having it read aloud (ages 5+) all the way through adults who need a gentle reminder about what matters. It's genuinely intergenerational—grandparents, parents, and kids can all find something meaningful here.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Charlie Mackesy's book is built entirely on kindness, vulnerability, and emotional connection. The four characters navigate difficult terrain together, sharing fears and discoveries about friendship and love. The mole's answer to 'What do you want to be when you grow up?'—'Kind'—captures the book's entire ethos. No cynicism, no cruelty, just gentle wisdom about being human.

Imaginative

The illustrated journey format invites readers into a contemplative, metaphorical space where a boy, mole, fox, and horse become vehicles for exploring big life questions. The 100 color and black-and-white drawings create a visual-literary experience that's more meditative than plot-driven. It's imaginative in its simplicity and in how it uses allegory to explore universal themes, though it's not a world-building fantasy adventure.

Safe

This is about as safe as books get. No violence, no scary content, no mature themes. It addresses vulnerability and fear in the gentlest possible way. The book has been embraced by readers of all ages precisely because it offers comfort and hope without any edge or darkness. Even its discussions of difficult feelings are wrapped in reassurance.

Enriching

The book delivers profound life lessons about kindness, vulnerability, hope, and friendship in accessible, quotable form. Its conversations have resonated across generations—it became a #1 bestseller and won an Academy Award as an animated film because these lessons land. It invites reflection and discussion about what matters in life. The simplicity is the strength: big truths in small packages.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Beautiful illustrations paired with profound-but-simple life lessons that work for ages 5 to 95
The kind of book that becomes a family touchstone—you'll quote it, gift it, return to it during hard times
Addresses big feelings (fear, loneliness, hope) in the gentlest, most reassuring way possible
Sparks meaningful conversations about kindness, friendship, and what it means to be human without being preachy
Short enough to read in one sitting but rich enough to revisit over and over

⚠

What to Watch For

This is contemplative and quiet—if your kid needs action and plot, they might find it slow
Some younger kids might need help unpacking the more philosophical moments
It's earnest and sincere in a way that might feel too soft for cynical tweens (though many secretly love it)

Conversation Starters

"The mole says he wants to be 'kind' when he grows up. What do you want to be?"
"Which character do you relate to most—the curious boy, the hungry mole, the wary fox, or the wise horse?"
"The fox is scared to ask for help. Have you ever felt like that? What happened?"
"What's the bravest thing you've ever asked someone?"

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