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Charlie Mackesy
Photo Credit: David Loftus

Charlie Mackesy

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British artist, illustrator and author Charlie Mackesy began his career as a cartoonist for The Spectator, before becoming a book illustrator for Oxford University Press. His award-winning work has featured in books, private collections, galleries and public spaces around the world. He worked with Richard Curtis on the set of Love Actually to create a set of drawings to be auctioned for Comic Relief, and with Nelson Mandela on a lithograph project, The Unity Series. His internationally bestselling book, The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse, was published in October 2019.

Charlie's words and illustrations have brought comfort to many and have been shared online around the world as well as on t-shirts for Comic Relief, magazine covers, street lamp posts, school classrooms, cafés, women's safe houses, prisons, hospital wards and as NHS hospital computer screensavers.

Away from art Charlie co-runs Mama Buci, a honey social enterprise in Zambia. He lives in London with his dog Barney.

Books by Charlie Mackesy

The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse

THE UK'S BEST SELLING ADULT NON-FICTION BOOK OF ALL TIME. The book that inspired the BAFTA and Oscar-award-winning short animated film available on BBC and Apple+.

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The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse: The Animated Story

THE COMPANION BOOK TO THE BAFTA AND OSCAR-WINNING SHORT ANIMATED FILM - Available on BBC and Apple+

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More features

Article
QUIZ: Are you the boy, the mole, the fox or the horse?

Find out which character you’re most like from Charlie Mackesy’s ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse: The Animated Story’ you’re most like.

Article
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse: The Animated Story announced

'I made a film with some friends about a boy, a mole, a fox and a horse – their journey together and the boy’s search for home. I hope this book gives you courage and makes you feel loved.' Love Charlie x

Article
Five books to celebrate International Day of Happiness

Embrace your happiness with a list of books that will give you hope in a world facing unprecedented challenges.

Article
Charlie Mackesy Q&A

The artist on his inspiration for The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse​.

Video
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy

Charlie Mackesy describes the inspiration behind his new book THE BOY, THE MOLE, THE FOX AND THE HORSE. A reminder of the most important things in life. This is a book of hope for uncertain times.