Flight School

Flight School #1

by Lita Judge

Little Penguin has the soul of an eagle, but he wasn't built to soar. With irrepressible spirit, Penguin follows his dreams to flip, flap, fly! Even if he needs a little help with the technical parts, this penguin is ready to live on the wind.

Genres: Picture Books, Birds, Animals, Childrens, Storytime, Growth Mindset, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2014

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A penguin shows up at flight school in this amusing picture-book, determined to make good on his dream of taking to the skies. Despite the instructions of his teacher, and his declaration that he has the soul of an eagle, the penguin's initial efforts to get off the ground prove unsuccessful. About to admit defeat, he is aided in his flight by a kindhearted flamingo. All ends happily, until the penguin returns with another bird - an ostrich! - who also dreams of flight...

I tend to like those books which end with a surprise reiteration of the central problem or issue in the story, a problem you as a reader might have assumed was resolved. David Small's Imogene's Antlers comes to mind, in this respect. Lita Judge's Flight School is another example, and the ending here, in which Penguin shows up with his ostrich friend, really had me chuckling, especially given how ably the artist captures Flamingo's appalled distress, in her illustrations for the final scenes. Recommended to anyone looking for entertaining and humorous stories for the younger picture-book set.

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story. Great book with a couple of lessons - it's about being determined to teach a goal but it's also about accepting help from your friends. I love the penguin's tenacity and positive attitude.
My favorite line, "He'd just needed a little help with the technical parts." I understand. I always need help with those parts!

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in about 5 minutes. It was definitely cute, but not that greatest story line. I guess the message is definitely about trying you hardest to reach your dreams even when they seem impossible. The artwork was definitely my favorite part.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the board book version of the picture book, Flight School tells the story of Penguin who desperately wants to fly. As a board book, it was clearly shortened, but it still works. Penguin wants to fly and at first the flight instructors aren't certain what to do with him. Finally they decide to give him a chance. To no one's surprise (except Penguin's), he is unable to fly like the other birds. His sadness as he starts to leave inspires the instructors to come up with a rather unorthodox solution. Penguin is impossible not to like with his enthusiasm and belief. I also liked the teacher's creativity in helping Penguin achieve his dreams, even if it wasn't exactly traditional. The ending is funny as Penguin presents his instructors with another challenge, one they may not be able to meet. Lita Judge has created a winner of a book with great themes, great characters, and delightful illustrations.

[Zahrah Al-Merei · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adorable book about a penguin going to flight school, containing within a brilliant message that encourages children to work hard and persist in achieving their dreams. With beautiful illustrations and a great humour about it, this book is definitely one to have on hand.

[Kaethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute concept and execution, but A Wish for Wings That Work as book and special are holiday favourites with me, so I apparently can't clear my mind and see this book on its own.

Library copy

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the illustrations. Cute and short book about the differences we face and how to overcome obstacles with teamwork. Would recommend for kids between 2-5.

[Hannah]

I am ded at this penguin's glasses.

But the hint of spirit animal stuff makes me supes uncomfortable.

[Terri Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pictures were beautiful and we loved the spirit of the penguin ( who has the soul of an eagle!). He never gives up and gets a friend's help to fly. He stays upbeat and positive, which is a great lesson for kids. This would be a great mindset book. The end was a little hard for young ones to understand.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book make it. The concept is cute, about a penguin who wants to fly and does whatever he needs to make his dreams come true, and I think it could be expanded to apply to other things that don't fit the prescribed mold of what a "fill-in-the-blank" is supposed to be.

[Cristina Quattrone · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was so close to having a really poignant lesson, but it fell just short for me

[Mahi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for the first time as a four-year-old and read it again nearly two decades later while working on a term paper on picture books. I really wish I’d had more books like these given to me when I was a kid. It still leaves me feeling warm and fuzzy and just a little more hopeful about the future, something the new adults of the post-pandemic era certainly need more of:(

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penguin doesn't give up when he has the soul of an eagle.
Inspiring little tale. Friends step up to help.
Storytime 4+

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the works by Lita Judge. This is the first one with text, but still great. Very good message, sweet and funny as well. Should work well in storytime. LOVE the pictures, of course. They're one of the best things about her works. Lots to see up close, but still will work in a group setting.

1/14/15 Used in Birds theme. Worked having this after the Puffin book, because they'd just learned/heard that penguins can't fly. I think they liked the pictures. They laughed at the end. Could have been courtesy, but it worked. In the literacy activity following this, we matched lower and uppercase letters, and spelled out the word B-i-r-d.

5/9/18 Used in P theme. Had to remind the kids that Penguins cannot fly, after correcting the sweet boy that thought it was a sheep on the cover. They seemed to like it.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it's time to sign up for flight school Penguin joins the rest of the group. Even when the teachers tell him that they don't think he was meant to fly, Penguin insists that he has the heart of an eagle. Ok, say the teachers and flight school begins.

Each of the birds takes their first flight. Everyone does well... Except for Penguin, who landed right in the ocean. He heads home dejected and forlorn. Suddenly Flamingo calls him back. Maybe what he needs is a little "technical intervention."

And believe it or not, he flies!

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this little book. Penguin wants so badly to fly...but his body isn't built for flying. Despite his difficulties, he doesn't give up. He has teachers who work with him and believe in him. He has persistence and determination to have the chance to soar like an eagle. And he accepts help from others. It's a winning combination....one that students could also use to overcome their challenges. Plus, I love the darling illustrations. Fairly certain I will use this as a Book of the Month selection this upcoming year to teach persistence.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book despite having a rather practical personality that says use the talents you have and strongly disagreeing with the adage, "You can be anything you want to be". But who couldn't love this adorable determined penguin? The best part is end! A great book to help teach children the value of determination and the need for perseverance!

[Darshana Khiani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the concept and the illustrations, but something in the execution didn't work for me.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful, beautiful, and fun book from Lita Judge.

[Whitney Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the soul of an eagle, too, Little Penguin.


Cute book about dreams/goal and making them come true.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penguin has "the soul of an eagle." With the help of the flight school he manages to soar on the wind. Love the ending.

[Scottsdale Public Library]

A persistent penguin pursues his dream in this perfect pleaser.
-Monty K.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about a penguin wanting to fly. I liked the solution they found at the school for him - even if it opened things up for a whole new project at the end.

[Kayla Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story about a little penguin who just wants to fly like all the other birds. I found the ending particularly amusing. A fun read aloud.

[Tjohnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! A great story of friendship, compassion and perseverance.

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a little penguin who wants to learn how to fly because he has the "soul of an eagle." He goes to flight school where the other birds try to no avail to teach him to fly. Finally, one of the birds has an idea and they come up with a way to let penguin soar high up in the sky.
I thought that this was a very cute book. My favorite part are the watercolor illustrations. The full page illustrations are very bright, colorful, and eye-catching. The characters are colorful and full of emotion, and the story is short and sweet.
I think this book has several lessons that kids need to hear: one being to keep trying even if you have failed before. I liked that it ended on a realistic note that even though he could not actually fly, he accepted it and was okay with pretending to fly.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Penguin spots a sign that says, Flight School We Teach Birds To Fly, it’s just what he needs, since he feels he has the soul of an eagle. Unfortunately, Teacher and Flamingo aren’t so sure about a penguin flying. Penguin insists that he has the heart of an eagle, so they let him start flight school. After much practice, it’s time for all the birds to take their first flight. But when Penguin’s turn comes he plonks straight down into the water. “I’m sorry, birdie,” said Teacher. “Penguins just aren’t built to fly.” As Penguin dejectedly walks away Flamingo has an idea, “Wait!”

Surely he isn't going to continue trying to teach Penguin to fly, is he? 

Cons: None

Pros: The illustrations are fun and I especially found the Penguin cute. This is a book that demonstrates helping others and perseverance.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Send little ones off to school, or even prepare them for their new exciting journey with, Flight School by Lita Judge. When little Penguin tells his teacher that he was born to fly, she quickly reminds him that penguins can’t fly. However, Penguin knows he has the soul of an eagle and will someday take flight. After weeks of practice, it is finally Penguin’s turn, but he falls straight into the waters below. Luckily, with a little, “technical” help Penguin finally gets his chance to fly.
In a story of giant dreams, perseverance, and true will readers will learn the value of friendship and achieving their dreams, even if they have to be slightly altered. Genuinely adorable, Flight School calls to the heart of every reader no matter what dream, or goal they have in mind.
For more reviews and giveaways please go to my Instagram page @amy_fortheloveofbooks

[Monica Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

We closed the Martin Luther King Jr. celebratory week with a Storytime read of Flight School by Lita Judge. This book was a perfect read to connect with new vocabulary associated with our lesson on MLK's life. Words such as perseverance, community (friends and support), resiliency, and most importantly, the phrase "to have a dream." Our Flight School Storytime read was interactive with the kiddos’ participation in-flight movement modeling the main character, Penguin, flipping and flapping. A captivating storyline with the opportunity to engage in an open-ended questioning session. We used open-ended questioning to cover scientific early learning concepts around animals and flying. In summary, we loved the illustrations, the storyline, and the age-appropriate opportunities for fun instructional learning. The kiddos were excited to share their dreams.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids and I loved this story - so funny, great illustrations and a terrific ending. Plus, Penguin's got a fantastic way of phrasing things... Like "I was hatched to fly."

I think kids can relate to this penguin, because so many people dream of flying. We can understand why this little penguin wishes to fly. (After all, the human desire to fly led to the invention of hot air balloons, airplanes, helicopters, rockets etc... )

I think the message about finding a creative alternative solution to achieve your goals is an inspirational one. Many inventions happened when people looked for a creative solution to reach their goals.

Good for bird lovers, flight lovers, animal lovers, people who like funny stories. Good for toddlers through elementary school students.