The Snowman [Paperback]

 

 

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I ordered this book thinking that the following description from Amazon was correct:

From Amazon

"Who needs words to tell a story? In Raymond Briggs's charming tale, told with 175 softly hued, artfully composed frames, a little boy makes friends with a snowman. He wakes up on a snowy day, tells his mother he's going outside, then begins a flurry of snowman-building....Since the book is wordless, you can make up any ending you want... like "Then, in a puff of pink smoke, the snowman recomposed himself and went to live in the boy's garage freezer." Or you could just resign yourself to a peaceful "And that was that."--Karin Snelson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition."

I should have read the next description Amazon posted underneath the first. It sharply contrasts the first one:

From School Library Journal

"PreSchool-K-- For some reason, Briggs has added words to his immortal wordless picture book about a small boy's nocturnal adventures with an all-too-mortal snowman. The result, to say the least, is disappointing. It features fewer pictures described in simple declarative sentences that relate the action but lose the potency of the narrative. Further, the story has been trimmed, and incidents adding texture to the original have been lost. Much of the snowman's characterization is gone; his gentle meeting with a cat has been cut, as have his telling fear of a lighted stove, his wonderment at the TV, and his bemusement at a pair of false teeth. All of his slapstick adventures with James's toys are gone; half of the flying journey has been eliminated. The bittersweet ending remains as Briggs allows James to make his discovery of his melted friend without comment, but much of its resonance is missing with the lost pictures. What is left is a simple, rather ordinary story of an adventure with a flying snowman suitable for preschoolers who might well have waited a bit longer until they were old enough to enjoy James's magical interlude in its fullest glory. --Christine Behrmann, New York Public Library
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition."

This review agrees perfectly with my own thoughts of the book. Instead of the beautiful original comic, that allows young readers to think up their own story as they go through the book, we have a truncated version with far fewer panels, stilted writing, and an audio CD that narrates the truncated book. I bought the book because I thought it would be a great way for a pre-school child to stretch their imagination. Now not only do I have a watered-down version that steals the magic of writing the story oneself, I also have it on audio in case reading is too much of a burden! To make matters worse, the pre-schooler in question accidentally spilled water on the book, so I might not be able to return it for a refund. Although I must say, if that's the case, then I have to agree that pouring a cold glass of water on this book is probably the best thing for it. Save your money and try to find an original version of this book that contains all the original story, images, and magic that made it special in the first place.

My kids love the story of the snowman (we have the DVD), so I wanted to get the board book as well. I knew there was no words to the book, but I didn't realise out was in a comic book style with about 12 pictures per page. I would have liked one picture per page instead. Other than that, it's a lovely book.

This is a magical book. My brother and I received it when we were young, from our aunt who worked for Penguin in Australia. It changed both of our lives. When I was 8, our class was scheduled to watch the movie version. I had already seen it, and was afraid to watch it with my classmates for fear that I'd embarrass myself by crying all over the place. It is quite possibly the most touching and tragic book I've ever read, summing up the tragedy of any Shakespeare play or Dickens novel in a simple word-less series of beautiful drawings. It shows a young boy (in England, I believe) who decides to build a snowman. The snowman comes to life, and becomes an instant friend of the little boy. They exchange adventures. The boy takes the snowman through his house, careful to avoid the fireplace! The snowman especially enjoys the icebox, and dressing up in the boy's parents' clothes. The snowman takes the boy on a MAGICAL flight through the night sky, over London, to a land where snowmen and snowwomen have a wonderful party. They then return and say goodnight. The final page will require at least one box of tissues at your side. Just writing this review, I am tearing up! If read as a child, I think it will foster a sense of great sympathy, a feeling of strength after loss, and appreciation for life. If read as an adult, I think it will do all that, but also remind you of what it was like to be a child. Anything was possible. This book goes off of that. It remains a favourite of both my brother and I, and holds a special place in our hearts. It cannot and should not be missed!

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4.0 out of 5 stars review
This is a wordless book about a little boy that makes a snowman. He can't sleep at night so he gets up and opens the door to look at my snowman and he is alive. Read more

Published on Mar 17 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars Magic!
The Snowman...When we are children, the impossible, the fantastic, seems completely possible, if we only believe in it strongly enough. Read more

Published on Feb 10 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
I find the Snowman by Raymond Briggs to be a wonderful Christmas story. There are no words, so it spurs imagination to create a dialog in your mind. Read more

Published on Dec 30 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars The Snowman
The book is amazing and the Snowman is totaly adorable and I have a stuffed snowman, the exact same one.

Published on Oct 17 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars Long Lasting Christmas Story
The Snowman's story is simple but touching. The Snowman of Raymond Briggs's is always a fat, happy and lovely figure. Read more

Published on July 2 2001 by Lai Chun Pin Patrick

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect!!
29 months baby, My daughter,Eugene really likes this book!! She learned about snow through this book! This snowman-shaped book is her good friend. Thanx a million, snowman!

Published on Jan 4 2001 by Park, Unie

5.0 out of 5 stars The Snowman
A children's classic, a must for every book shelf. The wordless format lets the children create their own story. Read more

Published on Dec 9 2000

2.0 out of 5 stars How do you review this book fairly?
This book is beautiful. The story is sweet, the illustrations are touching on many levels, and the plot and character development (if it can be called that, as the story has no... Read more

Published on Dec 4 2000 by Misha

5.0 out of 5 stars A cute story
I like this story because it doesn't take that long to read. My toddler has a short attention span so this book worked well for him. Read more

Published on Oct 21 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book for all children!
This is one of the my son's favorites! He is now 23 months old and continues to pull this book off his bookshelf. Read more

Published on Sep 6 2000

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