Andrew, we are in September. Why on earth are you reading a Christmas novella? And a retelling of a well known Christmas classic? have you COMPLETELY lost the plot?

I am imagining you are all thinking this. Don’t say you’re not. I love Christmas. I love Bonfire Night and Halloween (well… in theory, I love Halloween. I love all the myths and legends on Halloween. In pratice… no. I hate it. I will be the one sitting the dark of my house, pretending that no one is home… but that’s a blog post for another day). So, when I saw this on NetGalley, I thought it would be a fun little read for me. A nice break from Time Convert, my current adult read (which I an enjoying, but it’s so weird reading this book when, the other books In the series, I have audiobooked…). Plus, I was curious on how Michael Morpurgo was going to write this, how he was going to tackle this classic. Tackle it head-on, or go into it from a slight angle…

When James wakes early on Christmas Eve to discover it had snowed overnight, he’s so excited that he goes out and builds a snowman. He spends all day building him and showing him off to his parents and his grandma, who is staying over Christmas. When he goes to bed that night, waiting for Father Christmas, he wonders about his snowman and, when he looks out of the window, he discovers that his snowman has come to life…

Where do I start with this novella?

Ok, let’s make something perfectly clear: nothing will beat Raymond Briggs’s classic. Not the Channel 4 film, not its sequel (which is still wonderful), not the stage production, nothing. Raymond’s wordless story is a beautiful, yet bittersweet masterpiece.

So, what about Michael Morpurgo’s version? Does it work?

It does, strangely. It adds something new to the mythology, yet tries to stay as faith as it can. It feels like a story that cane be read with the original and still stand on its own two feet. Plus, this novella would be perfect for a parent, guardian or grandparent to read with a child at bedtime or a child to read to themselves.

As an adult reading this, I really liked the story Michael wrote and how he tackled one or two issues in it. Not saying what, but they were address in a simple, kind way. Plus, having James’s grandma involved in the story made the ending less bittersweet compared to the original.

Small note about the illustrations by Robin Shaw. I really liked these. Sadly, I have a black-and-white kindle so no idea if they are meant to be colour or not, but I liked these illustrations hugely and just wanted to give the illustrator his due.

There was an odd moment when James read the original Snowman tale in this novella. Inception moment, anymore? But it’s a nod to the original and am glad it was there, but some people might go “Huh?” over it. No biggie, though.

While this is not going to be anything like the original, it’s still a wonderful story and am very tempted to buy this for the tiny humans in my life near Christmas-time…

In this retelling of the classic Raymond Briggs story, we see how Michael has adapted it into another version of the beloved story, still as moving as ever!


In this story, James has a stammer which leaves him feeling lonely and friendless in school. After building the classic snowman, he discovers the magic of friendship and Christmas as the snowman takes him on a magical journey to meet Father Christmas and the snowmans family in the North Pole.

Also in the book James has a grandmother who also witnessed the magic and partakes in a flight with the snowman which adds to the Christmas magic sharing it with others!


I really enjoyed venturing back into the childhood classic we all know and love it was a great spin on the traditional story and the addition of grandma as a character was funny sharing the magic even more making Christmas even more meaningful any one will adore this retelling.


Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

This is an absolutely charming and delightful book, drawing on Raymond Briggs' wonderful illustrated, wordless story, The Snowman ⛄ which so many of us have read and watched multiple times over the years - indeed Christmas isn't Christmas to me without hearing Walking In The Air and reading or watching the story!

Sir Michael Morpurgo has taken the original story as drawn by Briggs, added Christmas essences from the Channel 4 film and added Morpurgo magic! The idea that a child might be lonely and both ostracized and bullied by classmates at school because he has a stammer is sadly all too real. The idea that a new friendship, from not just one but many snowmen who do not judge James by his speech fluency and thus help him overcome his stammer is not just magical, but clinically accurate. The snowman's friendship and kindness helps James to find his words, his fluency, his confidence.

What a joy that Morpurgo has chosen to include the aurora borealis and have the grandmother meet and adventure with the snowman, bringing in special Christmassy features from both nature and family. Also wonderful is to see original Snowman drawings specially adapted for this book.

I also love it that Puffin have chosen to include features about Christmas traditions in different countries and the art of snowman-building.

All in all, this is a great book to share with children, whether at home or school in the run-up to Christmas, which will no doubt be enjoyed all year round, just like Raymond Briggs' original.

Thank you, Sir Michael, for agreeing to the tough challenge of writing a novella based on this picture-story. You have not fallen short of your usual high standards!

Such a fabulous retelling of one of my favourite Christmas animations. Spent the past week reading it with my son at bedtime and it was just such a lovely story that we were both a bit sad when it was over! Of course it will be re read at Christmas time with the tree lit for full effect!

It’s wonderful. Gorgeous, magical and evocative and as heartwarming as you ever hoped it would be. Adore it!

This is a brilliant idea beautifully crafted bringing the story of the snowman bang up to date . I bought the original book when I was an art student because I thought the illustration so warm and comforting, which was strange for a book set in winter! But I can see how all these years later it might seem a bit dated. This version is perfect for today’s technology savvy child but retains that bit of magic and wonder. I will read a bit again tonight before I snuggled down to pleasant dreams!

As I began to read the story I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy it, as it wasn’t quite The Snowman I knew and loved, but it wasn’t long before I realised that this would be the kind of book I would read with my class.. It is a simple story that I would read aloud with 6-8 year olds. I’m sure many of them will have seen the film on TV over Christmas or they may have the video. This book raises some issues which could be discussed with the children..
The Snowman would be a lovely book to share with your own children in the run up to Christmas, with the same issues that could be discussed if you chose to..
The layout in the Kindle app wasn’t quite right, with page numbers in the middle of pages, as are the new chapters. The black and white pictures were good, making the book more age appropriate. I wondered if there could be a special edition where the pictures were in colour.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who has contact with children (parents, grandparents, teachers, aunts and uncles), I know I will be buying a copy for my nice.

Beautiful, nostalgic story. I will enjoy reading this story to my daughter as she grows up. The illustrations are great and being able to read the story in detail was wonderful.
This will book will be everyone's Christmas tradition.

As someone who was never given the opportunity to watch the Snowman growing up, I felt a little like I missed the boat.
I’m so happy that this reimagining exists. It’s just so full of charm, beautiful language and a story that will make for a wonderful new animation in years to come.
I’m so happy i’ll Be spending Christmas with my nephew... I think i’ll be reading it to him on Christmas Eve.

This is a totally magical re-telling of the classic picture book, definitely Michael Morpurgo at his best. This takes the original story and extends it in a really wonderful way. It has retained many of the original illustrations but there are some new additions or variations, which take account of the additional story line. This is going to become a favourite Christmas story for both school and home. I absolutely love it.

I loved this book as a child and cannot wait to read this version with my daughter! Morpurgo has done a good job on an old classic. I also liked the illustrations

The snowman by Michael Morpurgo.
When James wakes to see snow falling one December morning, he is delighted and rushes outside to make a snowman. With coal eyes, an old green hat and scarf and a tangerine nose, he is perfect and James can hardly bear to go inside and leave him. In the middle of the night, he wakes and creeps out to see his Snowman again - and to his amazement, the Snowman comes to life... This special tale of true Christmas magic will bring everyone's favourite childhood festive character to a brand new audience.
This was a fantastic read with brilliant. A lovely story. I loved the original story. I loved the cover on this book. And I loved the pictures in the book too. 5*.

James is excited to see the first snow of Christmas fall. He quickly gets up, goes out on the farm and builds his very own snowman! And this is a snowman he takes good care of, hardly being able to leave him when time for bed comes. But when James wakes up in the middle of the night, his snowman has come to life, and the two of them are ready for adventure!

This is an adorable, sweet little story about a boy and his snowman. Inspired by Raymond Briggs' original Snowman, Morpungo has managed a wonderful retelling, in cheerful and lovable tones. The book is easy for children to read on their own, but is also a very good book for parents to read to their little ones. A winter story the children will certainly love, this is a book I would definitely recommend to anyone with a child.