2018 School Spending Survey Report
Flight School
illus. by Lita Judge. 40p. S & S/Atheneum. Apr. 2014. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781442481770; ebk. $10.99. ISBN 9781442481787. LC 2012046161.
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K-Gr 2—Little Penguin, who has the self-proclaimed "soul of an eagle," wants to fly. Steering his motorboat into a dockside flight school for birds, he announces to the other feathery students and teacher that "[he] was hatched to fly." Teacher and Flamingo are unconvinced, but they allow Little Penguin to take lessons anyway. Outfitted with goofy red googles, Little Penguin certainly has the will, if not the talent. Even after practicing for weeks and enthusiastically jumping off the dock with a loud "Geronimo!" he still flops deep into the ocean instead of soaring above. Brokenhearted, he sets sail for home. But then Flamingo has an idea. Tying feathers and a fishing line onto Little Penguin, Flamingo helps lift him skyward while Little Penguin does his best to "Flip, flap, flip, flap, flap." Soon, he soars as he had always dreamed of doing. Alas, it doesn't last. Unfortunately, even with the soul of an eagle, "he still has the body of a little round penguin." Nevertheless, his dream achieved, Little Penguin leaves flight school one happy little bird. So happy, in fact, that he soon returns with another friend with his own dreams of flying-an ostrich with the "soul of a swallow." Judge successfully balances the humor in the storytelling, the drawings, and the situations. Rendered in watercolor and pencil and situated on a bright yellow background, the illustrations perfectly fit this delightful and charming book.—Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CAPenguin leaves the South Pole for flight school. Though the other birds are skeptical, Penguin is determined. When instead of soaring he plunges into the ocean, Penguin sadly admits defeat and gets ready to head home. Then Flamingo has an idea. Variations in perspective throughout Judge's soft watercolor and pencil illustrations add visual interest to the book, as do parts told entirely through the pictures.
Penguin, who has "the soul of an eagle," leaves the South Pole for flight school so he can learn to fly. Though the other birds are skeptical, a determined Penguin (in dashing aviator goggles) joins in flight practice. When he plunges into the ocean on his first real attempt ("Geronimo! / Gablub!"), he sadly admits defeat and gets ready to head home. Then Flamingo has the idea to attach feathers from other birds onto fishing-line wire and wrap the line around Penguin. When Penguin tries to fly again, he goes "up, up, up!" (with a little technical assistance from Flamingo). Though his flight doesn't last long, Penguin leaves flight school contented that his dream has come true…only to return with another flightless friend with "the soul of a swallow." Judge's soft watercolor and pencil illustrations are a colorful mix of yellows, browns, and green-blues. Variations in perspective and layout add visual interest to the book, as do portions told entirely through the illustrations. Judge keeps the primary visual focus on the birds, especially humorous little Penguin -- all plump and furry -- who may not have a body designed for flight but whose lovable enthusiasm and optimism will resonate with young readers with lofty dreams. cynthia k. ritter
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