The Snowman is a beautiful enchanting story written and illustrated by Raymond Briggs . The story throughout the whole book captured a generation of young and old alike when it was first published and still continues to do so, as the children who first discovered it are now parents a new generation of youngsters are enjoying this delightful and forlorn tale. The story is a timeless classic which will continue on in our hearts and our childrens hearts forever.
The Snowman first published in 1978, has since gone on to become one of the most popular yuletide stories for children ever written.
One very cold, snowy winter morning a little boy called James awakens to find that everything outside has become a beautiful sparkling snow-white colour. Of course all children adore snow and the endless possibilities for fun and games, so with a childlike glee, James rushes downstairs and into the garden, where he goes on to lovingly build a snowman. Sleep does not come easily for James at night, and at Midnight he cannot take the suspense any longer and goes to check up on his snowman. He hastily opens the door... Suddenly there is his snowman that he put so much effort into building alive, just like it was a human person! James finds himself face to face with not only a snowman who has come magically to life, but also someone he can call a friend. The snowman introduces himself and the rest of the story is a magical whirlwind adventure for both the snowman and for the young boy James.
In the book, the Snowman takes James on a fun filled and amazing night time flight over the South Downs and then spectacially over the top of Brighton''s Royal Pavilion to Brighton Pier. This however is changed in the animated version of the book which was created in 1999, where instead we experience along with James him being flown north, to a once in a lifetime chance rendezvous with Santa Claus.
In the book, the Snowman takes James on a night time flight over the South Downs and on, over the top of Brighton''s Royal Pavilion to Brighton Pier. This is altered in the animated film, where we see James being flown north, to a magical rendezvous with Santa Claus.
The ending which could be devastating but also uplifting, sees the snowman eventually melting away as the winter draws to an end. There is a positive side though with the joy at the book having no words to follow, a positive message could be made from the sad ending. The sad thing is, you know when the snowman first comes to life that is end is never far away, but as they say, isn''t it better to have loved and lost then to have never loved at all?
Fun and frolics a plenty in both the book and the subsequent film, plenty for your little ones to become passionate about, and I am sure it will become a firm favourite in the majority of households and will continue to capture hearts everywhere for many many more generations to come.
All that is needed to enjoy this book, is a good dose of imagination. Which I am sure this book will have no problem igniting lost imaginations!