SNOWMAN, THE

From the Inside Flap Based on Raymond Briggs's classic, this beautiful illustrated Step into Reading book describes the exciting things that happen to James and his magical snowman. From the Trade Paperback edition. Based on Raymond Briggs's classic, this beautiful illustrated Step into Reading book describes the exciting things that happen to James and his magical snowman. From the Trade Paperback edition. Raymond Briggs was born in London in 1934.xa0xa0At the age of 15, hexa0xa0went to Wimbeldon Art School to learn how to draw, as he wanted to become a cartoonist.xa0xa0But there he was told that cartooning was not a profession for gentlemen and that he ought to be a painter.xa0xa0Raymond then went on to the Slade School in London to study painting as a full-time student.xa0xa0During his spare time, he began work on a portfolio of illustrations of all kinds, including jackets and a wide selection of drawings to take to publishers.xa0xa0After illustrating for advertising, newspapers and books, Raymond discovered that book illustration inspired him the most, since it offered far greater variety and freedom than anything else.xa0xa0Raymond has always found it unfavorable to sustain a consistent illustration style for a long period of time.xa0xa0He is always seeking to try something else new and different with his work.xa0xa0Some of Raymond's best known works are The Snowman ; The Man ; and The Bear . The setting for The Snowman is based on Raymond's own house and garden, which is in Sussex, England at the foot of South Downs, a few miles from Brighton. Read more