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4.51 AVERAGE
4.51 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sometimes we all need reminding of why we're here. This book is a warm hug. It's got the most beautiful illustrations and advice for every hill you climb in life. I'll be buying a copy because like The Book Thief, it's the kind of story you reach for time and again when the darkness blocks out the light.
Content Warnings
I'll buy it if only to hug it and keep it in my heart forever. Also, you bet I'll be reading it to my family or making them watch the film.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
reflective
fast-paced
Enjoyed this book. Although the handwritten writing was a bit difficult to read, and there was no clear linear storyline, it commented on many insights regarding life. This went from themes such as vulnerability, kindness, friendship, resilience, love, acceptance of oneself, the simplicity of life, and ultimately, living in the present and appreciating the experiences that life has to offer.
The switch between doodles to watercolour-like and charcoal-like rendered drawings was disjointing at first, but combined with the handwritten writing, it gave off a nice, unique charm. Many of the drawings were quite beautiful and well constructed - it is evident that the author knows their art fundamentals well. I especially liked their horse and landscape drawings, where they conveyed various perspectives with minimal strokes.
I also liked the sense of humour the author incorporated, regarding the mole and their fondness for cake: “If at first you don’t succeed, have some cake.” The scene where the mole helped the fox, regardless of his threats, was heartwarming as well.
It is a quick read; I finished it in one afternoon. Most of it contains drawings with little writing, but each sentence is meaningful to the point that every one can be quoted. Here are some of my favourites:
- “What do you want to be when you grow up?” asked the mole. “Kind,” said the boy.
- “Isn’t it odd, we can only see our outsides but nearly everything happens on
the inside.”
- “Imagine how we would be if we were less afraid,” said the boy. “Most of the old moles I know wish they’d listened less to their fears and more to their dreams,” replied the mole. “What do you dream about?”
- “One of our greatest freedoms is how we react to things,” said the mole.
- “I am so small,” said the mole. “Yes,” replied the boy, “but you make a huge difference.”
- “You fell … but I’ve got you.”
- “Tears fall for a reason and they are your strength not weakness.”
- “Life is difficult…But I’ve discovered this – you are loved and important and you bring to
this world things no one else can. So hold on.”
- “What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever said?” asked the boy. “Help,” said the horse. “Asking for help isn’t giving up,” said the horse, “It’s refusing to give up.”
- “It feels like we have such a long way to go.” “I know,” said the horse, “but look how far we’ve come.”
- “When the big things feel out of control…… focus on what you love right under your nose,” said the horse.
- “Always remember, you’re enough just as you are,” said the fox.
- “That’s why we are here, isn’t it?” said the boy. “To love … and be loved.”
This is my personal opinion of this story, as always. My opinion is subject to change depending on possible rereads in the future.
Any similar recommendations are welcome.
Rating: low 5/5 (a favourite that I would definitely read again, but it isn't a book that I would die for)
Review written: Sat 11 Nov 2024
The switch between doodles to watercolour-like and charcoal-like rendered drawings was disjointing at first, but combined with the handwritten writing, it gave off a nice, unique charm. Many of the drawings were quite beautiful and well constructed - it is evident that the author knows their art fundamentals well. I especially liked their horse and landscape drawings, where they conveyed various perspectives with minimal strokes.
I also liked the sense of humour the author incorporated, regarding the mole and their fondness for cake: “If at first you don’t succeed, have some cake.” The scene where the mole helped the fox, regardless of his threats, was heartwarming as well.
It is a quick read; I finished it in one afternoon. Most of it contains drawings with little writing, but each sentence is meaningful to the point that every one can be quoted. Here are some of my favourites:
- “What do you want to be when you grow up?” asked the mole. “Kind,” said the boy.
- “Isn’t it odd, we can only see our outsides but nearly everything happens on
the inside.”
- “Imagine how we would be if we were less afraid,” said the boy. “Most of the old moles I know wish they’d listened less to their fears and more to their dreams,” replied the mole. “What do you dream about?”
- “One of our greatest freedoms is how we react to things,” said the mole.
- “I am so small,” said the mole. “Yes,” replied the boy, “but you make a huge difference.”
- “You fell … but I’ve got you.”
- “Tears fall for a reason and they are your strength not weakness.”
- “Life is difficult…But I’ve discovered this – you are loved and important and you bring to
this world things no one else can. So hold on.”
- “What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever said?” asked the boy. “Help,” said the horse. “Asking for help isn’t giving up,” said the horse, “It’s refusing to give up.”
- “It feels like we have such a long way to go.” “I know,” said the horse, “but look how far we’ve come.”
- “When the big things feel out of control…… focus on what you love right under your nose,” said the horse.
- “Always remember, you’re enough just as you are,” said the fox.
- “That’s why we are here, isn’t it?” said the boy. “To love … and be loved.”
This is my personal opinion of this story, as always. My opinion is subject to change depending on possible rereads in the future.
Any similar recommendations are welcome.
Rating: low 5/5 (a favourite that I would definitely read again, but it isn't a book that I would die for)
Review written: Sat 11 Nov 2024
“This book is for everyone, whether you are eighty or eight— I feel like I'm both sometimes. I’d like it to be one you can dip into anywhere, anytime. Start in the middle, if you like. Scribble on it, crease the corners and leave it well thumbed…The boy is lonely when the mole first surfaces…The mole is greedy for cake…The fox is mainly silent and wary because he’s been hurt by life…The horse is the biggest thing they have ever encountered, and also the gentlest…They are all different, like us, and each has their own weaknesses…” From the intro of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. I LOVE this book. Every page had me teary eyed. Absolutely beautiful. Highly recommend! Popsugar reading challenge: a book you can read in one sitting.
I picked up this book because it was cute and it caught my eye. I read half of it in the store and then started looking at reviews. A lot of the reviews I read were discouraging and many people made comments about it being eye-roll inducing. Yes, this book is incredibly cheesy, it sounds like Instagram inspirational posts, and the font is that of nightmares. I still loved this book.
Not everything has to have a storyline. Not every "inspirational" post has to be jaw-droppingly profound. If you rolled your eyes because it was cheesy, that's okay, if you cried because it's cute, that's okay too. This book is not profound, it's not something so incredibly deep that you need some between each page to digest what's been said. This book is, however, a reminder that there are small beautiful things in the world and that sometimes cheesy sayings are enough to make you smile on a bad day.
I docked one star because, while I loved it, the font is a headache and the price was a little too high.
Not everything has to have a storyline. Not every "inspirational" post has to be jaw-droppingly profound. If you rolled your eyes because it was cheesy, that's okay, if you cried because it's cute, that's okay too. This book is not profound, it's not something so incredibly deep that you need some between each page to digest what's been said. This book is, however, a reminder that there are small beautiful things in the world and that sometimes cheesy sayings are enough to make you smile on a bad day.
I docked one star because, while I loved it, the font is a headache and the price was a little too high.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
This was so cute, so sweet, so wholesome, and so beautiful.