A wordless masterpiece, which I experienced first through a silent film (wordless, with lovely music), with this original introduction. If you are the least down today, see this now: The Bear – another book by Raymond Briggs which was also adapted into a 26-minute animated version and like this film was conveyed through music and action.

The Snowman: A guide to the music of this festive classic - and who actually sang 'Walking in the Air' | Classical Music". www.classical-music.com . Retrieved 4 June 2023.This is an absolutely charming and delightful book, drawing on Raymond Briggs' wonderful illustrated, wordless story, The Snowman ⛄ which so many of us have read and watched multiple times over the years - indeed Christmas isn't Christmas to me without hearing Walking In The Air and reading or watching the story! Raymond was a brilliantly observant, funny storyteller, honest about how life is rather than how adults might wish to tell it to children. A kindness, integrity, and generosity run through all his books. And so in life: Raymond was a generous, unjealous spirit who was a pleasure to work with, as well as to visit in his Sussex cottage and experience his teasing genius in its home. He was funny! He made us laugh a lot. I will miss him. All of us who had the privilege of working with him will miss him. This is a kind of child's dreaming that I can enjoy. A snowman coming to life and learning a little about human life. I like his fascination with light. And I loved the humor of anything related to cold (like getting into the deep freezer!). Che dire di questa storia.. È stata un'avventura stupenda.. Un libro che tutti i bambini ameranno follemente. La lettura è rapida e le illustrazioni che accompagnano tutto la storia sono un dettaglio stupendo per questo piccolo gioiellino. Raymond was unique. He has inspired generations of creators of picture books, graphic novels, and animations. He leaves an extraordinary legacy, and a big hole.”

The film ranked at number 71 on the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes, a list drawn up by the British Film Institute in 2000, based on a vote by industry professionals. [3] It was voted number 4 in UKTV Gold's Greatest TV Christmas Moments. It came third in Channel 4's poll of 100 Greatest Christmas Moments in 2004. Its broadcast, usually on Christmas Eve on Channel 4, has become an annual festive event in the UK. [4] A sequel, The Snowman and the Snowdog, was released in 2012. Interviews with Peter Auty, Aled Jones, Raymond Briggs and John Coates on the making of documentary titled "Snow Business" included on the 2002 20th Anniversary DVD Snowman producer John Coates dies". BBC News Online. 18 September 2012 . Retrieved 25 December 2012.Singh, Anita. "The Snowman and the Snowdog: a first look". Telegraph Media Group Limited 2012 . Retrieved 16 August 2012. I was reminded recently of Heidi, a book for children and those who love children by the Swiss author Johanna Spyri. I was particularly fond of the story of Heidi and her grandfather because I had a very close relationship with my own grandfather, my father’s father, with whom I used to stay when my parents were away on lengthy business trips. It was my grandfather who introduced me to the Snowman.

The idea of a sequel had been resisted by Raymond Briggs for several years, but he gave his permission for the film in 2012. [21] Howard Blake was one of the few crew members not asked to return; he was allegedly asked to "send a demo", which he refused citing the success of the original score. [22] The new film instead features the song "Light the Night" by former Razorlight drummer Andy Burrows and incidental music by Ilan Eshkeri. [23] Morpurgo is a name I usually read when I see a new book by him, I've enjoyed many of his reimagined fairy tales in recent years, so I was happy to try this. RIP, Raymond Briggs, 8/9/22. Thanks for writing this book, Raymond, and making us so much better for it. So yes, very similar to the original. There are a few changes but in general the story follows a similar route to Briggs'.All in all, this is a great book to share with children, whether at home or school in the run-up to Christmas, which will no doubt be enjoyed all year round, just like Raymond Briggs' original. Howard Blake's orchestral score was performed in the film by the Sinfonia of London. [2] The song "Walking in the Air" is sung in the film by chorister Peter Auty, [12] who was not credited in the original version. He was given a credit on the 20th anniversary version. The illustrations are simple with plenty of colors which personally for me I felt like I had time traveled to a simpler time where smart phones didn't clog our day-to-day activities and we got to the innocence and pure joy of a child during christmas time. They adapted this story into a television special which I haven't seen but I can sure imagine how impactful it can be towards the imagination of a child. Raymond’s beloved parents Ethel and Ernest adored him, and were a huge inspiration for Raymond throughout his life – informing the stories of Father Christmas (with his father’s anti-social hours as a milkman are reflected in Father Christmas’s work) and When the Wind Blows – as well the story of their lives: Ethel & Ernest (1998). This graphic novel tells the story of how his father, a milkman, met his mother, a lady’s maid, and how they lived together in the same house for forty-one years. An animated feature film based on the novel was released in 2016. Michael Morpurgo has written over 120 books, many of them award-winning. His best-known work, War Horse, was adapted into a multi-Oscar-nominated film by Steven Spielberg and into a widely acclaimed play. In 2003 Michael became the third Children's Laureate, a position he helped to create with the poet Ted Hughes. With his wife Clare, he set up the charity Farms for City Children, and for their pioneering work they were both awarded the MBE in 1999. In 2017 he was awarded a knighthood for services to literature and charity.