The Snowman Illustrator Raymond Briggs Dies at 88

London, 10 Aug (ONA) --- Author-illustrator Raymond Briggs, best-known for his 1978 classic The Snowman, has died at the age of 88.

Francesca Dow, managing director of Penguin Random House Children's, said: "Raymond's books are picture masterpieces that address some of the fundamental questions of what it is to be human, speaking to both adults and children with a remarkable economy of words and illustrations."

Briggs' original wordless children's picture book, The Snowman, finished 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, BBC news reported.

It has gone on to sell more than 5.5m copies in various formats around the world.

The TV film adaptation, which also received an Oscar nomination for best animated short film, told the story of a young boy, waking up after a heavy snowfall and building a large snowman who later magically comes to life.

Briggs was born in London in 1934 and he attended Wimbledon School of Art and Central School of Art.

After undergoing national service he returned to study painting at University College London.

He became a professional illustrator, working in advertising, and then creating books as well as teaching illustration at Brighton College of Art.

His 1966 book of nursery rhymes, The Mother Goose Treasury, won the Kate Greenaway medal.

His books have been translated into several languages and adapted into films, plays and TV animations.

--- Ends/Khalid