A Wish for Wings That Work: An Opus Christmas Story

by Berkeley Breathed

Opus the penguin makes a Christmas wish that he might fly.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Humor, Childrens, Comics, Fiction, Holiday

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 19, 1991

About the author

Guy Berkeley "Berke" Breathed is an American cartoonist, children's book author/illustrator, director, and screenwriter, best known for Bloom County, a 1980s cartoon-comic strip which dealt with socio-political issues as seen through the eyes of highly exaggerated characters (e.g. Bill the Cat and Opus the Penguin) and humorous analogies.

Reviews

[Scottsdale Public Library]

This book is wonderful. Packed full of positive messages, this holiday story is sure to delight children and adults alike! - Alexis S.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read and loved this book for as long as I can remember. It's probably one of the finest Christmas stories ever written, with the whole unlikely hero angle being worked to a frenzy. It's not something I can say I expect when I read Mr. Breathed's work, though I'm coming to realize that maybe I should. Of the books that I've read by him lately, each one has cleverly fused a story with some moral theme. A lot of his work seems to be focused on the loneliness of modern life, and his characters usually are on a quest to overcome that. This one is no different. Opus longs for acceptance among his bird peers and believes that proper wings will provide him with that. Of course, he eventually begins to see the value he has as a penguin and in fact does get his wish to fly with the birds in his own way, but the fact that this is a moral tale kind of hides behind the irony and humor most of the time. Wonderful book. Brilliantly funny and heartfelt all the way through.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprisingly lovely Christmas story from the Bloom County author. Opus the penguin's Christmas wish is to fly - something which penguins cannot do. Santa's a smart guy, though, and finds a way to teach Opus that his wing's work just fine *wink*. Berkeley Breathed's art is shiny and round and oddly pretty. It's a funny, weird Christmas story that I loved.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wacky, funny, and oddly heartwarming story. I read it a bunch as a kid and always enjoyed it. The comic strip’s art style is represented in lusher illustrations that at times are quite pretty and evocative.

[Erika Doster · Rating 5 out of 5]

To this day, this is still one of my absolute favorite Christmas stories. I thought of it today, and it hit me that this is so applicable to my life. My son is four years old, autistic, and nonverbal. As much as I would love him to be able to talk to me, he is making huge improvements in communication in other ways. His wings work, just differently. I never realized how much this story meant to me until today.

[Brianna Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Picture book

Reading Level: transitional, ages 6-10

Topics and Themes: This book is about Christmas. Opus, the main character, wishes that he had wings that work like other birds. The book is about accepting what you are given because everyone is special in their own ways.

Curricular Use: Good for a read aloud

Social: This book deals with accepting the things we cannot change. Opus is envious of other birds who can fly. He tries to fly several times but it never quite works. He wishes to Santa to bring him wings that work. He ends up saving Santa and his sleigh when it gets stuck in the water. Penguins are good underwater but none of the other birds can help. He saves the day with his abilities.

Literary Element: Uses foreshading. In the beginning he wants to fly so bad but can't. After he saves Santa, all the birds that can fly make his wish come true. It also uses irony. He wishes to be any bird other than a penguin because he can't fly. In the end though all the other birds are jealous of him because he saves Santa.

Text and Illustrations: The illustrations are beautiful. The author/ illustrator also has an Opus comic strip. He takes this book much further than his comic strips though to create intricate skylines and detailed pictures. The text and pictures are also very humorous.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I am a self-professed mega-fan of Berke Breathed and Bloom County I think I can briefly step outside this persona to write objectively about this book -- IT'S BRILLIANT! Not only is the book humorous and superbly drawn and colored but it also has in it the very heart-warming, kid-friendly message that you should like yourself for who you are.

Opus the penguin is down at Christmas so he makes a wish to Santa for a pair of "wings that work" so he can soar through the sky with the other birds. He joins his pal Bill the cat in several fruitless attempts to get around his physical shortcomings but with no success. In the end he discovers that his wings are much more useful than they seemed and that he's not any less special than the flying birds after all.

My family takes this off the shelf every Christmas and reads it at least three times. The book makes a great companion to the equally great DVD that's based on the book.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was always a big fan of Bloom County and I remember looking forward to the Sunday comics in the newspaper so I could read about the exploits of Opus and Milo and Bill the Cat. So when I saw this book at our local library, I just had to read it.

The story is simple and entertaining: Opus wants to fly. The illustrations are just as good as I remembered and the story is wistful, but funny. I don't think our girls have as much of an appreciation for these characters as I do, but they liked the tale.

Overall, it's a fun book to read aloud and we really enjoyed reading it together. I think it has a great message about accepting yourself for who you are.

[Spudsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Opus....all he wants to do is what other birds do naturally--fly.

And yet it's the one thing he can't do despite his wings.

He tries and tries. Only to fail.

But when the snow ducks lead him to Santa's sinking sleigh...well we find out what his wings are truly meant for.

In the words of Santa, "I see no penguins here...whose wings only sputter. Tongiht it was courage that flew yours beyond others."

Maybe this is why I'm drawn to Opus so much. He struggles so hard to do what he thinks he "should" be doing, only to discover his best talents come naturally and require only the courage to do his best.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as beautiful as "Pete and Pickles," which is the standard by which I judge all of Berkeley Breathed's books. But I still had tears in my eyes at the end. Great story!

[Ike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opus the Penguin saves Christmas by helping rescue Santa and his sleigh in this exceptionally well-written and illustrated story in which. We all know that penguins cannot fly, but Opus dreams of soaring through the sky, as do the snow ducks and other birds. He composes a letter to Santa with only one request, "Wings that go." He's sure that Santa will bring him new wings and that he will fly on Christmas Day. The snow ducks awaken him from a deep sleep in the wee hours of Christmas morning urging him to the pond to rescue Santa and his sleigh that had fallen from the sky. All birds know that penguins had wings that worked wonders in the water. Opus dives in "...a graceful torpedo sailing through the darkness..." and pulls Santa and his sleigh safely to the shore. Santa thanks him with, "I see no penguins here whose wings only sputter. Tonight it was courage that flew yours beyond others." Later that morning the snow ducks (appropriately attired with red bow ties) treat Opus to a soaring, highflying time. He did fly on Christmas Day. As Breathed begins his book with, "All men dream, but not equally--T. E. Lawrence (of Arabia)," we each have our dreams and dreams do sometimes

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even if you are unfamiliar with Opus from the comic Bloom County, you can understand Opus, a bird (penguin) who cannot fly. He has wanted wings for so long that he decides that he will ask Santa for "wings that work". But it is not what we think we should be, but who we really are that counts. Opus finds that he is just the "bird" with all the correct abilities and courage to save Santa and Christmas. Very heartwarming.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book in my collection since I was in second grade and remains one of my favorite books. The story is very inspiring how Opus became the hero of the day. The plot is similar to Rudolph but with a modern penguin twist. Opus has been one of my favorite characters and will be passed on to friends and colleagues.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas Story that I first remember watching as an animated clip that was much more... adult.... so the book being more of a young-kid-friendly thing was a bit of a surprise.

All I could think while reading it was, "SUCK UP THE ALBATROSS!!! SUCK UP THE ALBATROSS!!!!" (this line did not appear in the book, but does appear in the animated movie.)

Again, unexpectedly moving.

[Dara Branham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This inventive penguin had to come home with me! A very sweet Santa story about not trying to change to be something you are not, but just being who you were made to be. Penguins don't fly, but they weren't meant to fly. Embrace that you are special just the way you are, is the main theme or takeaway for this book and a message that even adults need to hear.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that had so much meaning for me as a kid that it'll mean something to me my whole life. I remembered it for the longest time and finally thought to grab a used copy from Amazon to put on my bedroom bookshelf of my most treasured stories.

[Trina Dubya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a favorite Christmas story. Opus, only seeing what he wishes he could be, asks Santa for wings that will let him fly. But when Santa needs help, it is Opus's own gifts that save the day. The ending is sweet, and the artwork is perfect.

[Deirdre · Rating 4 out of 5]

How did I miss that silly tale of a penguin who is obsessed with flying, but being a flightless species can’t. Illustrated and written by the incomparable Berkeley Breathed, and populated by the crazy characters of Bloom County, His wish comes true but not in any way anyone could imagine.

[Carfig · Rating 5 out of 5]

We call it "A Wish for Wings That Work on Wednesday" because of the continued alliteration and the fact that the TV show aired it on a Wednesday (Maybe not the first time it aired?) and said just that when promoting it. Great stuff. Love Opus and his quest for wings and being able to fly.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Opus and this story.

[Sheri Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, LOVE Berkeley Breathed's Christmas story about Opus in A Wish for Wings That Worked. Text and illustrations get five big stars from me and my husband.

[✩ Aysha (Aelin) ✩ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way to on edge for this reading challenge. Will be better next year, right??

[spike marlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe not a Christmas classic that the fly leaf is suggesting, but a cute story none the less.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, LOVE Berkeley Breathed's Christmas story about Opus in A Wish for Wings That Worked. Text and illustrations get five big stars from me and BK.

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story and fun illustrations!

[Manju Vamakshan · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

[TCNS]

Opus is a penguin who wishes that Santa will bring him wings that work.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet book about wishes and embracing your own unique gifts. Reread every year.

[Ally Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable story for kiddos and adults

[Concetta Kellough · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are great. The story is good but predictable.