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The Puddleman

The Puddleman

Tom refers to his grandfather as 'Collar' because he drags him around on a lead. One day, Tom decides that he will take Collar on a walk to see the puddles he has named after the members of the family, but the puddles are not there. Collar insists that this is because it hasn't rained, but Tom believes that it's just because they haven't been put in yet. He wanders off, leaving Collar talking to Mrs Whitebobblehat, and comes across just the person he needs . . . Finally, puddles restored to their full, family-resembling glory, Tom and Collar go home for tea.

Reviews

  • "The tender and surprising story is enriched by the scenery of Sussex lanes in summer . . . Briggs places magic in the context of the everyday and moves us"

    The Sunday Times

  • "Puts sentiment, science and imagination comfortably side by side"

    Guardian

  • "A lovely blending of realism with a child's imagination and a magical world"

    The Bookseller

  • "Briggs is on top form once more with this strange and moving story"

    Books for Keeps

  • "A tale of childhood joy and innocence, this has the hallmark of a Brigg's classic, where, for a moment, reality is suspended and imagination takes over"

    Manchester Evening News

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About the Author

Raymond Briggs

Raymond Briggs is one of our most respected and beloved artists. Born in Wimbledon Park in 1934, he studied at the Wimbledon School of Art and later at the Slade School of Fine Art, and went on to produce a treasure trove of work. He has created characters that are now icons for generations of children, including Fungus the Bogeyman, Father Christmas and, of course, the beloved Snowman. The biography of his parents in graphic novel form, Ethel & Ernest, became a bestseller in the UK, and an animated feature film based on the novel was released in 2016. He has won many awards over his career including the Kurt Maschler Award, The Children's Book of the Year, Dutch Silver Pen Award, and the prestigious Kate Greenaway Award twice for his Mother Goose Nursery Treasury and Father Christmas. In 2017 Raymond was awarded the Booktrust Lifetime Achievement Award. He lives in Sussex.

Raymond Briggs

Related articles

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News

Penguin Ventures celebrates 40 years of The Snowman with Barbour, Fenwick and The Royal Mint

Three major partnerships have been announced to mark the 40th anniversary of the much-loved Christmas classic by Raymond Briggs.
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Games & activities

Make a festive Snowman and the Snowdog garland

Get crafty with The Snowman and the Snowdog with this sweet and super simple paper garland – the perfect homemade Christmas decorations!
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Raymond Briggs wins BookTrust 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award

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