Flight School is a story about a penguin that wants to fly like the other birds. He tries so hard and ever gives up with his dreams. Finally with a little help of his friends his dreams are able to come true. ( )

This was a big hit at storytime! I don't think the kids quite got the "flamingos can't carry ostriches" thing, but they still really enjoyed it. A win with parents, too. ( )

This cute story starts out with a penguin joining a flight school that other birds are at. He says he has the mind of an eagle so he can fly. After lots of practice all of the other birds could fly but he just fell in the water. Penguin was sad but the flamingos came up with an idea to stick feathers on his arms and it helped him to fly. He was so happy he brought his friend an ostrich to flight school. I like this book because they are learning about birds and flight without it being all informational. However, after this book I would use an information text to help put all the pieces together of birds that fly or why penguins don't. ( )

Endearing and smart. Penguin knows what he wants, is bold and tenacious. He learns to accept help from his friends, which is not always an easy thing to do, especially if you are like me, and don't want to trouble others. Flamingo and "Teacher" (a night-heron?) are the best of teachers, as they let Penguin try and try. They are also close friends, as evidenced in the heartwarming illustration of flamingo wrapping his long neck around "Teacher." The expressions in the birds' eyes show their emotions so well. I bought this board book edition for myself (an adult) because it makes me laugh and feel warm inside. ( )

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. ( )