English school holidays issued with a penalty notice whenever they take their children on holiday during term time without getting authorisation from the school. Penalty notices can be issued by local councils, headteachers (including deputy and assistant heads authorised by them) and the police. Generally, schools will agree to no more than 10 school days of absence in any school year. The Swallows and Amazons series of children’s novels by Arthur Ransome are all set in the school holidays, generally the long (August) summer holidays although some are set in Easter or winter. For example, in "Pigeon Post", he wrote: "Term time was
The City of Dreaming Books The City of Dreaming Books The City of Dreaming Books (original title: "Die Stadt der Träumenden Bücher") is the fourth novel in the Zamonia series written and illustrated by German author Walter Moers, but the third to be translated into English by John Brownjohn. The German version was released in Autumn 2004, and the English version followed in Autumn 2007. It is followed by two sequels, "The Labyrinth of Dreaming Books" (2011) and "The Castle of Dreaming Books" (TBA). Protagonist Optimus Yarnspinner ("Hildegunst von Mythenmetz" in the German text) is a Lindworm (dinosaur) who inherits his authorial godfather's possessions, including