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Blooming Books
Beginning with his first published illustration in 1958 and continuing through to the work he continues to produce today, this is a stunning and diverse exploration of the work of this unique and brilliant artist. Commentaries by the journalist Nicolette Jones accompany extracts and, in some cases, complete picture books, reviewing the background to Briggs's work and its underlying themes. Following a foreword from Raymond Briggs and Nicolette Jones's introduction, the book is divided into four main The Early Years (including, among many others, The Elephant and the Bad Baby ); The Nursery Classics (e.g. Father Christmas , The Snowman , The Bear ); A Gallery of Characters (e.g. Fungus, The Man, Ug) and The Social Issues ( When the Wind Blows , The Tin-Pot Foreign General and the Old Iron Woman , Ethel and Ernest ). All of Briggs's work is here, from his captivating work for children through to the sharp and satirical works. Familiar favouites are also accompanied by some previously unseen material, including preparatory drawings for published titles and work from several planned sequels to Fungus the Bogeyman .
- GenresNonfiction
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 2, 2003
1 person is currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Raymond Briggs
167 books243 followersRaymond Redvers Briggs was an English illustrator, cartoonist, graphic novelist, and author who had achieved critical and popular success among adults and children. He was best known for his story "The Snowman", which is shown every Christmas on British television in cartoon form and on the stage as a musical.
His first three major works, Father Christmas, Father Christmas Goes on Holiday (both featuring a curmudgeonly Father Christmas who complains incessantly about the "blooming snow"), and Fungus the Bogeyman, were in the form of comics rather than the typical children's-book format of separate text and illustrations. The Snowman (1978) was entirely wordless, and illustrated with only pencil crayons. The Snowman became Briggs' best-known work when in 1982 it was made into an Oscar nominated animated cartoon, that has been shown every year since on British television.
Briggs continued to work in a similar format, but with more adult content, in Gentleman Jim (1980), a sombre look at the working class trials of Jim and Hilda Bloggs, closely based on his parents. When the Wind Blows (1982) confronted the trusting, optimistic Bloggs couple with the horror of nuclear war, and was praised in the British House of Commons for its timeliness and originality. The topic was inspired after Briggs watched a Panorama documentary on nuclear contingency planning, and the dense format of the page was inspired by a Swiss publisher's miniature version of Father Christmas. This book was turned into a two-handed radio play with Peter Sallis in the male lead role, and subsequently an animated film, featuring John Mills and Peggy Ashcroft. The Tin-Pot Foreign General and the Old Iron Woman (1984) was a scathing denunciation of the Falklands War. However, Briggs continued to produce humour for children, in works such as the Unlucky Wally series and The Bear.
He was recognized as The Children's Author of the Year in 1993 by the British Book Awards. His graphic novel Ethel and Ernest, which portrayed his parents' 41-year marriage, won Best Illustrated Book in the 1999 British Book Awards.
His first three major works, Father Christmas, Father Christmas Goes on Holiday (both featuring a curmudgeonly Father Christmas who complains incessantly about the "blooming snow"), and Fungus the Bogeyman, were in the form of comics rather than the typical children's-book format of separate text and illustrations. The Snowman (1978) was entirely wordless, and illustrated with only pencil crayons. The Snowman became Briggs' best-known work when in 1982 it was made into an Oscar nominated animated cartoon, that has been shown every year since on British television.
Briggs continued to work in a similar format, but with more adult content, in Gentleman Jim (1980), a sombre look at the working class trials of Jim and Hilda Bloggs, closely based on his parents. When the Wind Blows (1982) confronted the trusting, optimistic Bloggs couple with the horror of nuclear war, and was praised in the British House of Commons for its timeliness and originality. The topic was inspired after Briggs watched a Panorama documentary on nuclear contingency planning, and the dense format of the page was inspired by a Swiss publisher's miniature version of Father Christmas. This book was turned into a two-handed radio play with Peter Sallis in the male lead role, and subsequently an animated film, featuring John Mills and Peggy Ashcroft. The Tin-Pot Foreign General and the Old Iron Woman (1984) was a scathing denunciation of the Falklands War. However, Briggs continued to produce humour for children, in works such as the Unlucky Wally series and The Bear.
He was recognized as The Children's Author of the Year in 1993 by the British Book Awards. His graphic novel Ethel and Ernest, which portrayed his parents' 41-year marriage, won Best Illustrated Book in the 1999 British Book Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 2, 2023
Very interesting review of Briggs’s life and works.
March 9, 2013
Not recommended in some ways for anyone who dreams of being an illustrator. The story of how the curmudgeonly Briggs almost fell into the life by a series of accidents and good fortune is sure to make wannabe illustrators more than a little jealous.
Great book, beautifully illustrated, though a little cramped compared to the beautiful john Burningham volume. It would have benefited from more space.
Great book, beautifully illustrated, though a little cramped compared to the beautiful john Burningham volume. It would have benefited from more space.
December 15, 2022
A beautiful and fascinating history of Raymond Briggs and his immortal books. Includes insights into his early life as an illustrator and features full colour extracts from books such as The Snowman, Father Christmas and Fungus the Bogeyman.
One of my favourite authors and illustrators since childhood, I really enjoyed reading about Briggs and his brilliant talent for drawing. This book is even more poignant since his death earlier this year.
One of my favourite authors and illustrators since childhood, I really enjoyed reading about Briggs and his brilliant talent for drawing. This book is even more poignant since his death earlier this year.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews