Tributes pour in for ‘irreplaceable’ Snowman author and illustrator Raymond Briggs 

Publishers and booksellers, agents and authors have shared heartfelt tributes to the late author and illustrator Raymond Briggs, who has died aged 88.

His family confirmed he passed away on 9th August, saying in a statement: “We know that Raymond’s books were loved by and touched millions of people around the world, who will be sad to hear this news. Drawings from fans – especially children’s drawings – inspired by his books were treasured by Raymond, and pinned up on the wall of his studio."

Briggs was best known for The Snowman, first published by Hamish Hamilton in 1978 as a wordless picture book before being made into a film first broadcast on Boxing Day 1982 in Channel 4’s inaugural year and becoming a perennial Christmas favourite. His other works included an illustrated a book of nursery rhymes, The Mother Goose Treasury (Puffin), for which he won the Kate Greenaway medal in 1966, as well as Father Christmas (1973), Father Christmas Goes on Holiday (1975), Fungus the Bogeyman (1977), When the Wind Blows (1982) and The Tin-Pot Foreign General and the Old Iron Woman (1984).  

Dan Franklin, formerly publisher at Jonathan Cape, who published Briggs’ last book Time for Lights Out, a meditation on old age and death, told The Bookseller Briggs was “a genius at transmuting ordinary life into magical graphic stories".

“He was a lovely man who coped with his huge fame by maintaining a façade of grumpiness,” he said. “I had the huge privilege of publishing Ethel and Ernest, his masterpiece of a graphic novel, and Time for Lights Out, his final book. The former was the very first book on the list that became Cape Graphic Novels and it is revered by everyone who loves the form.”

Diana Gerald, chief executive at BookTrust, said everyone at the organisation was “devastated” to hear the news, adding that “wonderful” books like The Snowman and Fungus the Bogeyman “have shaped the childhoods of generations of children and inspired so many families to find the joy of sharing stories together”.

She said: “He was unashamed to tackle life’s tough challenges through his books in a natural and engaging way, enabling children to feel less alone. He will live on in his iconic books, which have brought so much joy to so many, and we are so grateful that he chose to share his incredible gifts with us.” Briggs was awarded The BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.

Florentyna Martin, Waterstones head of children’s, said Briggs was “an artistic mastermind” who “infused his stories with an emotional depth and heart-warming characters” and leaves behind an "astonishing" legacy.

Wayne Winstone, founder of Winstone Books, told The Bookseller: “Raymond Briggs was such a significant presence in the children’s book industry, proving that illustrations didn’t have to be saccharine and books can afford an edge to them.”

Sam Copeland, director at agency RCW and a children’s author, said: “He made my heart grow with The Snowman and then completely broke it with When The Wind Blows. He was an irreplaceable piece of my childhood – all of our childhoods – and he will continue to be a shaping force of warmth and love for generations to come.”

Many others have taken to social media to share tributes to Briggs, with Dialogue m.d. Sharmaine Lovegrove writing: “Just last week I was revelling in the joy of introducing our twins to the work of brilliant British authors and illustrators such as Shirley Hughes and Raymond Briggs. So sad to learn of Raymond’s passing but what an astounding legacy for generations to enjoy."

Rob Biddulph called him “a titan in our industry and a true-one off". He said: "The Snowman was a work of undeniable genius – a game changer, not just in the world of children’s books but books full stop.”