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A Wish for Wings That Work: An Opus Christmas Story Review
User Submitted A Wish for Wings That Work: An Opus Christmas Story ReviewsNovember 18, 2008 A Penguin State of Mind 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. April 26, 2008 A wish comes true 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. December 16, 2007 christmas Get the movie. Get the book. Enjoy them together. Fun and quirky. December 10, 2007 Wonderful for children and adults alike 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. July 18, 2007 One of my favorite children's books Our family absolutely LOVES all the Berkeley Breathed children's books. There's just one problem. If you're trying to read it to your children, it's difficult not to be laughing so hard you cry. Story and illustrations are just hilarious!!! My daughter now reads to children in after-school programs and it's a definite winner with them. Very entertaining. April 23, 2007 The Best of The Opus Books If you purchase this book for the illustrations alone you would still have an incomparable treasure but wait there is more, because this is a story that is a treasure in itself. Opus wants a pair of wings that work. But in his mind wings only work if you can fly. It's not until Santa's sleigh is sinking in the ocean that Opus gets to use his flippers and fly through the water and save Santa and his sleigh. It's then that he realizes he has something useful. This is a story that's about recognizing the value of what you have in mind, body, and spirit. The courage and spirit to use what you have to go where help is needed and whenever possible, help save the day. I blame the book industry's insatiable deluge of new and not very inspiring books thrust onto an already overburdened market place for burying classics like, "An Opus Christmas Story." This is a book that every child would love immensely, one they would treasure and one the parents would not have to dig so hard to find the life lessons to discuss with their children after the read. February 17, 2007 Our Holiday Penguin Who doesn't love Berkeley Breathed or even more so... Opus! This is a 'must have' holiday story. January 9, 2007 I really enjoy this tale Opus' story has lots of humor & heart. Enjoyt this novel Christmas tale.... December 22, 2004 Forgotten Treasure Rediscovered 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! August 1, 2004 i still have penguin lust! i wholeheartedly agree with the other adults and one child(what does that tell you?) who love this book! i own it on video, as well. it is one of our christmas traditions, even if i have to do it alone. it is classic breathed..it is quirky, sarcastic and very heartfelt. don't you just cry at the end? i do!!! i also feel it's a wonderful testament to two things. one, of course, is what we wish for. we may not get exactly what we want, but we eventually get seems to fill the void nicely. two, where would we get without friends who can make our wishes come true? For more A Wish for Wings That Work: An Opus Christmas Story reviews click here.
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