Joanne "Jo" Rowling, better known as J. K. Rowling, is a British novelist, best known as the author of the Harry Potter fantasy series. The Potter books have gained worldwide attention, won multiple awards, sold more than 400 million copies to become the best-selling book series in history and been the basis for a popular series of films, in which Rowling had overall approval on the scripts as well as maintaining creative control by serving as a producer on the final instalment. Rowling conceived the idea for the series on a train trip from Manchester to London in 1990. Rowling has led a "rags to riches" life story, in which she progressed from living on social security to multi-millionaire status within five years. As of March 2011, when its latest world billionaires list was published, Forbes estimated Rowling's net worth to be US$1 billion.[9] The 2008 Sunday Times Rich List estimated Rowling's fortune at £560 million ($798 million), ranking her as the twelfth richest woman in the United Kingdom. Forbes ranked Rowling as the forty-eighth most powerful celebrity of 2007, and Time magazine named her as a runner-up for its 2007 Person of the Year, noting the social, moral, and political inspiration she has given her fans. In October 2010, J. K. Rowling was named 'Most Influential Woman in Britain' by leading magazine editors. She has become a notable philanthropist, supporting such charities as Comic Relief, One Parent Families, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain, and Lumos (formerly the Children's High Level Group). On February 23, 2012, Little, Brown & Company announced it would publish Rowling's first novel for adults.
Winter holidays are shorter than summer ones. They begin at the end of December and last about two weeks. It is so nice to have a rest from school. During winter holidays we celebrate the New Year’s Eve and Christmas. There are New Year parties for children at schools and theatres. Cinemas show children films and cartoons. It is usually very cold in winter, but frost and snow can’t keep children indoors. It’s so great to go skiing down a hill. Boys like to play hockey on the ice. Many children go to the skating-rinks to skate. Small children play snowballs and make snowmen, or ride on the sledges happily. When the weather is bad, I stay at home and watch TV. There is always something interesting on during winter holidays. Sometimes my friends come to see me and we play computer games or listen to music. There is also more time for reading, drawing, making model planes and other hobbies. Holidays pass quickly and soon it’s time to go to school again. Мои зимние каникулы. Зимние каникулы короче, чем летние. Они начинаются в конце декабря и продолжаются около двух недель. Это так приятно отдохнуть от школы.
Во время зимних каникул мы празднуем Новый год и Рождество. В школах и театрах проходят новогодние елки для детей . Кинотеатры показывают детям мультипликационные фильмы.
Зимой обычно очень холодно, но мороз и снег не могут держать детей в помещении. Ведь это так здорово кататься на лыжах . Мальчики любят играть в хоккей на льду. Многие дети ходят на катки кататься на коньках. Маленькие дети играют в снежки и лепят снеговиков или весело катаются на санях.
Когда погода плохая, я сижу дома и смотрю телевизор. Во время зимних каникул всегда показывают что-то интересное. Иногда мои друзья приходят ко мне и мы играем в компьютерные игры или слушаем музыку. Существует также больше времени для чтения, рисования, изготовления моделей самолетов и других увлечений.
Каникулы проходят быстро и скоро пора идти в школу.
