#1 Daughter checked this book out of the library and loaned it to me, and I showed it to #s 2 and 4, and we all loved it so much I bought copies for all of us.

The entire book is written in the author’s distinctive handwriting, and the illustrations, on most if not on all pages, is extraordinary. Nothing much happens. The boy meets a mole, then they meet a fox, then the three of them meet a horse. They encourage one another as they journey through the wilderness, looking for Home. Which — spoiler alert! — they find. In a very special way.

Here’s a quote.

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” asked the mole.

“Kind,” said the boy.

Charlie Mackesy, THE BOY, THE MOLE, THE FOX AND THE BOY

I swear to goodness, it’s probably the most deeply touching book I’ve ever read. The words, the interchanges, and the illustrations go straight to my heart and comfort and delight it.

We can’t recommend it highly enough, especially if your spirit is sore and troubled.

Here are my Christmas nails:

The white base coat and white stamping polish is Maniology‘s Bam! White. The green base and stamping polish is Maniology’s Tutu Mele. The red stamping polish is Maniology’s Shaka Santa. The fluid art is those three polishes plus Baroness X’s Porthole fluid art clear polish. The stripes come from Maniology’s M012 plate, and the ornaments and bells are from Maniology’s MXM 043.

A WRITING PROMPT FROM ME TO YOU: What do you want to be when you grow up?

MA