Once again, Ransome allows the children's views of the world to dominate over the grown-up, outsider's view. Amongst other inventions, an old barn becomes a signalling station for communicating with Mars; the lower fells the wastes of High Greenland; and the frozen lake a training ground for an expedition to the North Pole.

This is one of the very best of the S&A stories. It combines all of the fine features of the earlier volumes - beautifully simple (and yet never condescendingly simplified) prose, enchanting line drawings and an espousing of honest and open values - with an elegantly crafted plot and some moments of true excitement. It also has some cleverly disguised educational content, in the form of lessons in field communications techniques. (And the dangers of misinterpretation that can result from their use!) As usual, Ransome knows precisely how to build the excitement as the tale progresses. From simple beginnings, the book gradually becomes more and more riveting reading, until it is almost impossible to put the book down.

It is lovely, too, to see how much the Walker children's characters - as well as their relationships with each other -have developed since the earlier volumes. Seeing them from the perspective of the newcomers makes one realise how much they have grown (and come to function as a team) in the 18 months since the first book!

The world was a simpler place when this book was written (1933) and, sadly, the events portrayed within it just could not happen nowadays. But children of all ages can still enjoy tales such as this, to feed their own imaginations and help them to grow into the world as it now is. Who knows? It may yet help lead the world back to times as honest as these.


Proving that fun isn't limited to summer   November 26, 2002
 10 out of 10 found this review helpful

It's been a year and a half since the Walkers (the Swallows) first met the Blackett sisters (the Amazons) and were plunged into Captain Nancy's adventurous worldview (not that they didn't have one of their own already). Now, for the first time, we see the six from an outside view--though still that of young people: Dick Callum, astronomy buff, and his sister Dorothea ("Dot"), aspiring novelist, are staying at the lake while their parents are off digging in Egypt over the Christmas holidays, and are caught up in the adventures of the senior group when they attempt to "signal to Mars" by night. The Walkers and Blacketts, inspired by the coldest winter the lake has experienced in living memory, are training for an expedition to the North Pole (the far upper end of the lake), "only the beastly Arctic won't freeze." Quite unexpectedly Captain Nancy saves the day by coming down with mumps, which requires all the others to be kept out of school for a month lest they spread the contagion. The Blacketts' uncle Captain Flint reappears too, playing a pivotal role in the expedition's preparations. Much of the story is told from the viewpoint of the ever-imaginitive Dorothea, whose writer's mind puts a unique spin on what she sees. As always there are misunderstandings with the "natives" (local adults, rechristened Eskimos for purposes of the season), and a literally chilling sequence during which the Callums are blown to the Pole by a sudden blizzard. Ransome here proves that it doesn't have to be summer for his Lake Country to provide plenty of good story fodder, and in the process gives us a unique children's adventure tale that should be as eagerly welcomed as a read-aloud as any of the others in the series. Not to be missed.


exciting adventure   March 27, 2001
 5 out of 8 found this review helpful

There I was just browsing at a store, and just happened to glance at this particular color of this book...and picked it up read the cover and fell in to the illustration, and the breif excerpts on the back cover... I am just so excited over the wanting and longing to snuggle up with my children and read this to them, but not to them...really, but to read for myself...this is going to be a start of something big... I also went researching for Mr.Arthur Ransomes books, and found web sites leading to history and all the good things that come with a curious mind, that wants to discover...where did all those adorable children who seem to live in a perfect world, live, whom were pictured on the cover of "Winter Holiday"... This is a "National Geographic" for children of all ages... I cannot wait for a more perfect day to begin reading this, as the house doesn't have to be clean, nor the dishes washed, maybe this is the perfect front porch with lemonade, book... Best regards on your adventure through "Winter Holiday"


Enchanting. A great adventure book with boys AND girls   August 12, 1999
 2 out of 3 found this review helpful

I was introduced to Swallows & Amazons by my father more than 30 years ago, so I approached the series with some trepidation when my 6 year old demanded "boat stuff" to be read to her, afraid that S&A might not have aged well. I shouldn't have worried, Clare is totally enthralled with the books (we are on number 5 & the enthusiasm shows no signs of waning). While some children may find reading to themselves too much until they are 9 or 10, Clare at 6 has no problem following the plots, identifying with the characters, and generally having a good time. I might add that it is also nice having some great female heroine/role models plus some nice male types as well. I recommend the series without reservation


Best Arctic Adventure since Shackleton   January 9, 2001
 2 out of 5 found this review helpful

The novelist and bookish scientist round out the cast of pirates and adventurers. Any child will find herself playing one of these remarkable friends, and requiring her parents to say "ay-aye, sir". (A grown-up, of course will identify with and emulate Captain Flint, or one of the other natives.)

My 4+ year-old (Mate Susan) will not tolerate other bedtime stories; unfortunately I cannot put it down, and always read a few chapters ahead after she is asleep. This ruins the suspense for me the next night...