'Snowman' illustrator Raymond Briggs dies at 88

Renowned British illustrator Raymod Briggs has died at the age of 88. Briggs was best known for his classic work in 1978 "The Snowman". The 'Snowman' was turned into an animated TV movie in 1982 and won the prestigious British Academy Television Awards or BAFTA TV Awards.

Managing director of Penguin Random House Children Francesca Dow said that Raymond's books were masterpieces that addressed fundamental questions of being human. She noted his books spoke to adults and young children with remarkable illustrations and words.

Briggs' original children's picture book was wordless and was second in the Kate Greenaway Medal race. It was a British writer's best children's book of the year. Under various formats, it sold more than 5.5 million copies worldwide. Its TV adaptation got an Oscar nomination for the best animation short film category.


The story was of a young boy who wakes up when there is heavy snowfall and builds a large snowman. The Snowman comes to life magically later on. It was first broadcast in 1982 on Boxing Day, which was Channel 4's first year, and since then, you see it every year on Christmas.


The film was directed by Dianne Jackson and produced by John Coates. It was a wordless film apart from Howard Blake's hit song Walking in the Air, which Peter Auty sang. Aled Jones sang the song in a recorded version that reached UK's top five in 1985.

Briggs said that he remembered the story and how it came about as it was snowing heavily that year, and it was the heaviest snowfall he had seen. He noted that the snow fell steadily the whole night, and he woke up with snow filled in his room. He said it felt like the whole world was held in stillness like a dream. He recalled how the day was so magical and created The Snowman.

Briggs took birth in 1934 in London and attended the Wimbledon School. He studied painting at University College London after undergoing national service. He became a professional illustrator later and an author working at the Brighton College of Art.

His books have been translated into many different languages, plays and TV animation stories.