In 2017, Snowman author and illustrator Raymond Briggs predicted he had seven years left to live. But sadly, he died two years short of that, passing away on August 9 aged 88.
Hilary Delamere, Briggs's literary agent, paid tribute to the creator of hit children's book such as Father Christmas and Where the Wind Blows, hailing his ability to combine tales of love and devotion with harsh realities. She said: "Raymond liked to act the professional curmudgeon, but we will remember him for his stories of love and of loss. I know from the many letters he received how his books and animations touched people's hearts. He kept his curiosity and sense of wonder right up to the last."
Indeed, tragedy is a thread that ran through all of his projects. The Snowman ends with that infamous scene where the little boy awakens to find the remains of his melted best friend.
