The Snowman

Product Information

The Snowman is a story which plays a large part in every Christmas, just as the Coca-Cola advert or Michael Bublé singing on the radio. The story follows a young boy as his Snowman comes alive and they begin a night of adventures together in the snow. To celebrate the film's 20th anniversary, Channel 4 created an alternative opening directed by Roger Mainwood, with Raymond Briggs's interpretation of Father Christmas recounting how he met James, before giving his own variation on Briggs' monologue (including how the heavy snow left even him unable to fly) as he turns on his TV to watch the film, which the opening segues into. [15] Comedian Mel Smith reprises the role in this opening. This version is also cropped to fit a 16:9 widescreen format. Channel 4 used this opening from 2002 until Mel Smith's death in 2013, after which the Bowie opening was reinstated, which in turn returned the film to its original 4:3 aspect ratio. After they play with the lights on the family car, he prepares a feast that the duo eat by candlelight. The snowman takes the boy outside and they begin to fly over the South Downs and watch the sun coming up from Brighton pier before returning home. When the boy wakes in the morning, he finds that the snowman has melted.

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. The Snowman is a wordless children's picture book by Raymond Briggs, first published in 1978 by Hamish Hamilton in the United Kingdom, and published by Random House in the United States in November of the same year. In the United Kingdom, it was the runner-up for the Kate Greenaway Medal from the Library Association, recognising the year's best children's book illustration by a British writer. [5] In the United States, it was named to the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award list in 1979. Kate Greenaway Medal". Curriculum Lab. Elihu Burritt Library. Central Connecticut State University . Retrieved 18 July 2012. The Snowman is a wordless children's picture book by British author Raymond Briggs, first published in 1978 by Hamish Hamilton in the United Kingdom, and published by Random House in the United States in November of the same year. [1] The book won a number of awards and was adapted into an animated television film in 1982 which is an annual fixture at Christmas. So when the snow falls and Billy starts to build a Snowman, he knows exactly what to do - he builds a Snowdog too! Then, later that night, something magical happens... and Billy embarks on the most wonderful snowy adventure.The book was adapted into a half-hour animated television film in 1982, which debuted on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom on 26 December. The Snowman film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film and has become an annual festive event, inspiring multiple spin-offs including a concert work, stage show, [6] video game [7] and an animated sequel. [8] Barber, Martin (24 December 2012). "The Snowman and The Snowdog animator revisits classic". BBC News Online . Retrieved 25 December 2012. John Walsh (21 December 2012). "Raymond Briggs: Seasonal torment for The Snowman creator". The Independent. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022 . Retrieved 23 December 2012.

The story was expanded to fill 26 minutes and include a longer flying sequence which takes the boy to the North Pole and a party with Father Christmas which is not present in the picture book. The animators also brought in personal touches – a static sequence with a car is replaced by a motorcycle ride, as one of the animators was a keen motorcyclist and it was noted by Iain Harvey that this sequence kept "the action flowing after all the fun and comedy of the boy and the Snowman exploring the house and forming a friendship – and what could be better than a midnight run in a snowy landscape". [6] Similarly, although the boy in the book is unnamed, in the film he is named "James" on his present tag, added by animator Joanna Harrison as it was the name of her boyfriend (later her husband). [7] [8] Interviewed in 2012, Raymond Briggs recalls that he thought "'It's a bit corny and twee, dragging in Christmas', as The Snowman had nothing to do with that, but it worked extremely well." [9] The Story of The Snowman," storyboard, and the introductions used throughout the film's first 20 years. The film re-entered at No.14 on the UK Official children’s Video Chart on 11 November 2012, eventually peaking at No.5 on 16 December 2012 based on sales of DVDs and other physical formats. This book proves that you don’t need words to tell a beautiful story. Children will easily understand the pictures and can create their own details using their imaginations! 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. In the British Film Institute's 100 Greatest British Television Programmes, a list drawn up by the British Film Institute in 2000, based on a vote by industry professionals it was listed as #71. [3] It was voted #4 in UKTV Gold's Greatest TV Christmas Moments. It came third in Channel 4's poll of 100 Greatest Christmas Moments in 2004.A wordless book for pre-school through 1st graders begins with a snowman reading a book to his woodland friends. Use your imagination to tell the rest of the story. The Snowman flies again in this follow-up to the much-loved Christmas classic - now celebrating its 10th anniversary! a b Brown, Helen (21 September 2023). "How Walking in the Air took The Snowman to great heights". Financial TImes. Archived from the original on 1 October 2023 . Retrieved 1 October 2023. First editions, first printings. Published by Hamish Hamilton and Ladybird in London, 1985-88. A set of four containing 'The Snowman Pop-Up', 'The Snowman' (Ladybird), 'The Snowman- The Party' and 'The Snowman' (Ladybird). This is a very near fine set. Each have some slight surface scratching to the laminate. Each copy is free from previous owners ink. Overall, this is a near fine set of some nice titles.

Two mice compete with each other to make the biggest snowman ever, but it’s not until they decide to work together that they accomplish their goal. A great seasonal read about cooperation!Raymond Briggs' classic is a true piece of Christmas magic - narrated entirely through pictures, it captures the wonder and innocence of childhood and is recognised throughout the world. Billy and his mum have moved into a new house just before Christmas, but Billy isn't very full of festive cheer, as his beloved old dog has passed away. Interview with Hilary Andus and Joanna Harrison in "Snow Business" included on the 2002 20th Anniversary DVD The story is told through pictures, action and music, scored by Howard Blake. It has no words, with the exception of the central song, " Walking in the Air". The orchestral score was performed by the Sinfonia of London and the song was performed by Peter Auty, a St Paul's Cathedral choirboy. [2]