The Snowman: Inspired by the original story by Raymond Briggs

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This is not a review. How can one review a book like The Snowman, a story without words? It has to be experienced, that’s all, experienced through the eyes of a child. What follows is my own experience, my appreciation of a story that gave me so much pleasure over so many years.

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Inspired by the timeless tale, Michael Morpurgo and Robin Shaw have created the perfect Christmas story for the whole family. 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!). The tale is beautifully illustrated, and it shares elements of the original tale (the party with the other snowmen, and meeting Father Christmas, for example). I thought that it was also a sweet touch to include James having a stutter, as this brought another dimension to this character. He spends the whole day making his perfect snowman; he has coal eyes, an old green hat and scarf and a tangerine nose... just like the snowman from his favourite story.

I think the reason why I've always been fascinated by this tale is the sight of the pair flying over my hometown. Sir Michael Morpurgo has taken the original story as drawn by Briggs, added Christmas essences from the Channel 4 film and added Morpurgo magic! The idea that a child might be lonely and both ostracized and bullied by classmates at school because he has a stammer is sadly all too real. The idea that a new friendship, from not just one but many snowmen who do not judge James by his speech fluency and thus help him overcome his stammer is not just magical, but clinically accurate. The snowman's friendship and kindness helps James to find his words, his fluency, his confidence. Rebecca Morgan, director of collector services at The Royal Mint said: “The Royal Mint is delighted to celebrate the tale of The Snowman on official UK coins for its sixth year in 2023. Continuing our partnership with award-winning illustrator Robin Shaw, we are excited to release another original festive coin that brings Raymond Brigg’s story to life in a new way. Acela este momentul în care începe o minunată prietrenie între băiat și omul de zăpadă. Cei doi petrec niște clipe de neuitat, fiecare prezentându-și lumea din care face parte. A 'feel-good' Christmas story. It has been on my shelves for almost a year, waiting for Xmas time. A bit early, but I decided I could use this 'sidestep' from busy work and studies. Drawings are cute and beautiful. 'Narrated entirely through pictures, its dreamlike illustrations perfectly capture the wonder and innocence of childhood'.

The Snowman - Penguin Books UK The Snowman - Penguin Books UK

I don’t remember when exactly. I must have been, oh, about four years old. It was before I went to school anyway. It was near Christmas, that much I do remember. The Snowman in question is a story book, pictures without words by Raymond Briggs, another book for children and those who love children. Like Heidi it tells of a bond, this time between a little boy and the snowman he builds one wintry afternoon in his garden. By magic it comes to life; by magic the boy and the snowman fly.It was made into an animated film by Channel 4, one of our terrestrial television companies, with a sublime score by Howard Blake. When I was growing up it was broadcast every Christmas; perhaps it still is. With us watching it became an annual event. The holiday simply would not have been the same without it, as if there was no Christmas tree, no lights and no watch night service in church.