Opus the penguin makes a Christmas wish that he might fly.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
With the help of Santa, Opus, the slightly neurotic penguin star of two of Breathed's comic strips, finally gets to fly; PW said, "Breathed achieves just the right balance of sweetness and levity." All ages.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Reviews
The creator of the popular Bloom County comic strip takes up the well-worn theme of an animal who helps Santa. Opus is a penguin who longs to fly, but it's his swimming strength that makes him a hero after Santa's sleigh falls in a lake after the harness breaks. Reward: Santa's praise plus a ride aloft, borne by his friends the snow ducks. Nothing new here, but the story is told with competence and energy; the lavish mixed-media illustrations (airbrush smooth, cartoon style) have plenty of witty details. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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More About the Author
Berkeley Breathed lives and works in Santa Barbara, California and is the proud owner of a gentle pit bull named Ridley, a deaf dachshund named Milly, and a refugee mutt from the Puerto Rican streets named Pilar--splendidly flawed dogs, every one.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
My husband and I bought this book long ago- when it was just the two of us- before diapers, midnight wailings, etc. This Christmas our 4 and 5 year old found it sitting dustily on a shelf while making a secret and somewhat sneaky foray into mommy and daddy's bookcase. Imagine their surprise at finding a "kids book" among all those with just words. Opus has been read every night since. And the message of this wonderful story has not been lost. Although we've had to discuss why Opus is okay with not getting his own set of wings that work, I think the message of being happy with and making the most of the gifts you already have has been recorded somewhere in their little brains.
Anyway- Opus stands the test of time. If you grown ups have it tucked away somewhere gathering dust get this book out and share Opus with someone newer to this world. And have a Merry Christmas!
Anyway- Opus stands the test of time. If you grown ups have it tucked away somewhere gathering dust get this book out and share Opus with someone newer to this world. And have a Merry Christmas!
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Eric Johnson
Format:Paperback
Berkeley Breathed has some of the most richly animated stories I've ever seen. I owned this book for a couple of years before I realized how great the illustrations in this book were. After working in a primary school library and reading various stories to the little kids, I realized that Breathed's books were far superior to most of the others. The detail and color present in this story takes a back seat to only the story itself. This is, perhaps, the best Christmas story I've read, and it's one that children really respond to. Who can't relate to feeling inferior to others and wanting to be different? Opus has this problem. He's a penguin who wants to fly. It's not until his unique talents are needed that his dreams of flying can come true.
The story has a great compliment of characters including: Bill the Cat, some snow ducks, and Ronald Ann. They all (in some way) try to help Opus, but the help comes from the least likely source. This is a great story that children will love to hear every year, and one that the parents will look forward to hearing every year. It's not trite and it's not purile. It's a good story with great pictures that should be in everyone's library.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Library Binding
This is a delightful tale about Christmas, wishes and reality. Opus the penguin laments the fact that he cannot fly like the snow ducks. Therefore, he writes a letter to Santa Claus asking for wings that work. Before going to bed on the night before Christmas, he tells a snow duck that he will be flying on Christmas morning. However, as Santa is making his rounds, there is a malfunction of the sleigh connections and the sleigh is disconnected from the pulling reindeer. Santa's sleigh begins to sink in a cold, icy lake and Opus is awakened.
He dives into the lake and swims like he never swam before. Clutching a towrope in his beak, he pulls the sleigh to land. Santa then tells him "I see no penguins here, whose wings only sputter. Tonight it was courage that flew yours beyond others." The next morning a group of snow ducks arrives and carries Opus into the air.
The moral of the story is that when we are wishing for new skills or possessions, we should never lose sight of the value of that we already have. It is done very well and fits well into the general spirit of the Christmas season.
He dives into the lake and swims like he never swam before. Clutching a towrope in his beak, he pulls the sleigh to land. Santa then tells him "I see no penguins here, whose wings only sputter. Tonight it was courage that flew yours beyond others." The next morning a group of snow ducks arrives and carries Opus into the air.
The moral of the story is that when we are wishing for new skills or possessions, we should never lose sight of the value of that we already have. It is done very well and fits well into the general spirit of the Christmas season.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Christmas book
This is a great story and the artwork is very colorful and cool. The movie is also a classic so if you have one, you'll need the other. Read more
Published 4 months ago by B. Montgomery
5.0 out of 5 stars
Feel good story
I read this book to my children every Christmas eve when they were young and was excited to see it in print again. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Fran L
5.0 out of 5 stars
You gotta have Opus for Christmas.....
I had to get this book for my grandson. I read this book over and over to his mom, and uncles. I still read it as a grown grandma and still love it. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Youngreads
5.0 out of 5 stars
best children's christmas story
This is my favorite children's Christmas story! The Opus children's books are all fabulous, and everyone, adults and children both, should read them. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Beckykrum
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally, A book to cap the end... for now.
We all have our ways of keeping our books, DVDs, CD's, and in my case, thousands of them flat plastic music makin' things, in order, sometimes for time immemorial. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Nom De Bloom
3.0 out of 5 stars
Christmas story with message of accepting oneself
Opus, the penquin, is sad because his wings will not allow him to fly in the sky with other winged birds. He writes a letter to Santa, asking him for wings. Read more
Published on July 15, 2010 by DeeDee Fox
5.0 out of 5 stars
strange Christmas story
B. Breathed unleased another opus dream upon the world, in "A wish for wings that work" It begs the question are the tihings wished for what is really wanted?
Published on May 30, 2010 by Donna
4.0 out of 5 stars
Still miss Bloom County!!
Book is for children and of course those of us who read Bloom County when teens and young adults. A great little reminder of times past but is definitly an Outland style so if... Read more
Published on April 27, 2009 by Bill H.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Children's Book
My five-year-old loves this story. He also likes the DVD of the same book. Berkeley Breathed writes really nice children's books. Try it, you'll be happy with it.
Published on March 24, 2009 by Jonathan Perry
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of our favorite Christmas classics
We have owned a copy of this book for years and bring it out every Christmas even though our children are grown. Read more
Published on January 6, 2009 by Books for Life
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