Raymond Briggs has been credited as having been honest with his young readers about how life really is, through his picture books, graphic novels and animations. The 88-year-old had a kindness, integrity and generosity running through his works, his publisher Penguin Random House said as it announced his death. The Snowman, undoubtedly his best-known work, revives magical Christmas memories for adults who grew up with the classic picture book, first published in the UK in 1978. See the Snowman art collection here.