CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE SNOWMAN

by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Robin Shaw, Penguin Random House Children’s, hardback £12.99, ebook £8.99

MICHAEL MORPURGO is the award-winning author of War Horse, Why The Whales Came and Kensuke’s Kingdom.

Inspired by another legendary children’s author, Raymond Briggs, Morpurgo has taken Briggs’ wordless and beautifully illustrated tale, The Snowman, and filled out the narrative with elements from the film and other adaptations to form a magical Christmas story.

James is a lonely boy and longs for a friend of his own, and one December morning he wakes up to find his world transformed by snow.

The original tale was simple and magical, and this new retelling is equally touching and has soft pencil drawings that match the gentleness of Briggs’ original work.

Very festive and enchanting.