Raymond Briggs Books

A page dedicated to the works of the late great British author, illustrator, and cartoonist Raymond Briggs. We well as producing one of the most iconic Christmas characters, The Snowman, he has also created other brilliant stories like Fungus the Bogeyman and UG: Boy Genius of the Stone Age. 

The Snowman 

The Snowman is arguably one of the most recognisable Christmas images on the page and on screen. The original TV adaptation was first shown in 1982 and was introduced by music icon David Bowie. Since then, The Snowman has been a part of the Christmas tradition, with families gathering around their televisions to enjoy the wholesome and nostalgic story. Like the series, the book itself is entirely wordless and drawn using coloured pencils. 

To mark the 30th anniversary of the original short film, The Snowman and The Snowdog was released. The short was released on British TV in 2012 and is based on Briggs's beloved characters. The Snowman and The Snowdog is set in the same house but with a different family to keep the story's magic alive. For more books for this age range, check out our range of picture books. 

Other Works by Briggs 

Raymond Briggs wrote another festive picture book called Father Christmas. Briggs' interpretation of Father Christmas is not the stereotypical jolly figure who only works one day a year but a grumpy old man who lives with his pets, a cat, a dog and two reindeer. His miserable persona has become a beloved Christmas classic as no matter how much he moans, he really does love being Father Christmas and loves giving gifts. Check out our dedicated page to Christmas Books and Christmas TV Books for more festive books. 

Another famous title written and illustrated by Briggs is Fungus the Bogeyman. The 1977 picture book follows Fungus, a member of the Bogey society, as he starts to question the meaning of life and his function within society. The book was adapted into a TV series in 2004 and 2015 and a stage production in 2007 and 2008. For more picture books, check out our extended range of picture books, perfect for children 0-5 years and 5-7-years-old. 

About the Author

Raymond Briggs, born in 1934 in Wimbledon, London, was an illustrator, cartoonist, graphic novelist and author. He graduated from The Slade School of Fine Art in 1957, but before this, he was conscripted into the British Army and served as a draftsman from 1953 to 1955. 

Briggs was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to literature. Briggs passed in 2022, but his work has continued to live on. Whether it's through the numerous adaptations on screen or the classic picture books he created, Raymond Briggs' work remains one of the most recognisable British images of our generation. 

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