A Wish for Wings That Work

1991 American children's book and TV special

A Wish for Wings That Work CoverAuthorBerkeley BreathedIllustratorBerkeley BreathedCover artistBerkeley BreathedLanguageEnglishGenreChildren'sPublisherLittle Brown & CoPublication date1991Publication placeUnited StatesPages32ISBN0-316-10691-7 A Wish for Wings That Work: An Opus Christmas Story is a children's book by Berkeley Breathed that was published in 1991. It was made into an animated television special that same year. The book and special feature characters from Breathed's comic strips Bloom County and Outland.

[edit] The story centers on Opus the Penguin (a main character in all three of Breathed's comic strips and, at the time, appearing in Outland). Opus is downhearted because, as a penguin, he cannot fly. He orders a machine and assembles it, but when it comes time to test the machine by jumping off a three-mile-high cliff, Opus decides to do something less dangerous; he goes home to make anchovy Christmas cookies. He does not give up on his dream, though, and makes a Christmas wish to Santa Claus for "wings that will go!". On Christmas Eve, Santa is making his usual delivery when he loses his reindeer and crashes into a lake. Opus jumps in and uses his natural swimming skills to pull Santa out. To thank Opus for his daring rescue, a group of ducks pick him up and take him flying through the air.

[edit] A Wish for Wings That Work2007 DVD coverAlso known asOpus 'n' Bill: A Wish for Wings that WorkBased onA Wish for Wings That Work: An Opus Christmas Story and Outland by Berkeley BreathedWritten byBerkeley BreathedDirected bySkip JonesStarringMichael Bell Joe Alaskey John Byner Tress MacNeille Alexaundria Simmons Andrew Hill Newman Frank Welker Robin Williams (as Sudy Nim)Music byThomas Chase Steve RuckerCountry of originUnited StatesOriginal languageEnglishProductionProducerPeggy ReganEditorLarry C. CowanRunning time22 minutesProduction companiesAmblin Television Universal Cartoon StudiosOriginal releaseNetworkMCA TVReleaseDecember 18, 1991 (1991-12-18) On December 18, 1991, an animated special based on the book aired on CBS. It was directed by Skip Jones and was produced by Peggy Regan for Steven Spielberg's Amblin Television for Universal Cartoon Studios. It was released on DVD on November 6, 2007.

Voices Michael Bell – Opus Joe Alaskey – Truffles, The Ducks John Byner – Bill Tress MacNeille – The Chicken Alexaundria Simmons – Ronald-Ann Andrew Hill Newman – Milquetoast the Cross-Dressing Cockroach Frank Welker – Santa Claus Sudy Nim (Robin Williams)– George the Kiwi Critical reception[edit] Lisa Horowitz of Variety gave the special a positive review, saying that it "crams a lot of action and intelligence into its half-hour". She also praised the animation and vocal performances. Breathed, who was credited as the writer and executive producer of the special, was disappointed with the overall results. Asked in 2003 in The Washington Post where a copy of the special could be found on VHS or DVD, Breathed replied:

Hopefully in the rubbish pail. We can do better than that and we will with an eventual Opus film... but I'm glad you enjoyed it. I presume your family was on speed when they watched it. I would imagine it helps. In a 2007 interview, Breathed said that the reason he disliked the special was simply "unspectacular ratings", and that his humor "wasn't meant for television, even if it was done right". He also blamed his own lack of writing experience, as he wrote the script, and that the director was "way over his head". Breathed said he had wanted Sterling Holloway (who by then was retired from voice acting due to old age) to provide the voice for Opus. Four years later, Breathed said the director inserted numerous inappropriate jokes into the special's background scenes.

Even though the special first aired three decades ago, its quirky mix of satire and warm‑hearted holiday wishes feels timeless. Breated’s beloved characters—like Opus the penguin—bring a gentle absurdity that resonates with both kids and adults who grew up reading his strips. The story’s central theme—wishing for something you already have—mirrors the everyday Christmas magic of appreciating the simple things. That gentle moral, paired with the distinct hand‑drawn animation style, sets it apart from the glossy productions of today, making it a comforting staple for families looking for a nostalgic, low‑key festive viewing.

If you’re hunting for a copy, start with the original DVD release; it often includes behind‑the‑scenes sketches that fans love. Streaming rights shift frequently, so checking the UK library services like BBC iPlayer or the subscription platform Amazon Prime can save you a trip to a second‑hand shop. For collectors, a paperback edition of the book, complete with Breathed’s original illustrations, makes a lovely companion piece. Keep an eye out for bundled sets that pair the TV special with other Berkeley Breathed titles—these usually offer the best value and a tidy holiday‑reading bundle.

Many assume the special is purely for children, but Breathed’s trademark wit sneaks in subtle commentary on consumerism and media hype—a nod to his original comic strips. The humour lands best when parents catch the satirical jabs at corporate Christmas excess, turning a simple watch into a shared, layered experience. Seeing it as a multi‑age piece encourages families to discuss the underlying messages, turning a light‑hearted cartoon into a conversation starter about gratitude, materialism, and the true spirit of the season.