Customer Reviews: Read 18 more reviews...
 One of our favorite Christmas classics January 6, 2009
Books for Life (Pittsburgh, PA)
We have owned a copy of this book for years and bring it out every Christmas even though our children are grown. Now I get excited every year that a young child is on our gift list so that I can pass the magic along to another family. In this book Opus, the lovable penguin from the comics pages, longs to fly. After a near tragic accident on Christmas Eve, he discovers that his wings are just what is needed to save Christmas. He receives and unexpected reward at the end of the book to satisfy the desire of children of all ages for a happy ending while still not compromising the message of the book "be happy with who your are". This is one of those books that can delight adults who have space on their bookshelves for that special children's magic as well as delighting children who still love to sit with adults for storytime.
A Penguin State of Mind November 18, 2008
Theresa Leone Davidson (Middletown, NJ USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
While there are other characters in the funny pages that I do like, such as Charlie Brown, Ziggy, Marmaduke, the dog from Pooch Cafe, and Mooch and Earl, no one compares to Opus. He is never unkind, he finds beauty in everything, and he is a bird of strong convictions. When I found these same traits in human form, I married him. Opus, a longtime resident of Bloom County, then Outland, and most recently a star of a self-titled comic strip, officially retired on November 2, 2008. There are several compilations of his comic strip, a few other books featuring him, and there is this story: A Wish for Wings That Work. You don't have to love Opus, or even know who he is, to appreciate it. It is all about a bird who wants nothing for Christmas save a pair of wings that will actually enable him to fly. When he is called on in an emergency, he realizes that he can fly, as all penguins can (underwater, of course), and that his gifts are special, just as everyone has gifts unique to her or him that make them special.
I have been reading this story for several years to my students, starting when I taught in an inner city high school in NY. A Wish always evokes some interesting discussions, even though it appears to be a picture book for younger children, they ALL take something away from having read it. And don't think it isn't for you or your children if you are not Christian. Santa and anything religious are secondary to the theme of loving yourself, even if you perceive your flaws (which we all have) to be huge. I have had it confirmed by one Jewish student and several Muslim students that the only concept that resonates is acceptance of self, something that many children can't have reinforced enough. A Wish for Wings That Work is a wonderful story with a great message and beautiful illustrations, a lovely book for any age.
A wish comes true April 26, 2008
Antje Ahlborn (Hamburg, Hamburg Germany)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is the most lovely x-mas story I ever read! It's about not giving up on your wishes, be bold and don't have the attention on you.
If you like this story, look for a book of Ariel and Shya Kane, they have found a way of living, that is beyond all I could immagine - all it takes, like in this book, is courage.
christmas December 16, 2007
Snuggles D. Rabbit (New Mexico)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Get the movie. Get the book. Enjoy them together. Fun and quirky.
Wonderful for children and adults alike December 10, 2007
Vaughn (Kansas)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is my favorite of the Breathed series of children's tales. I have a six year old son and this will be my fourth year of being sure this is a part of his Christmas season. As well as, throwing this title in several times throughout the year. A very touching experience to share this story with my son.
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