Lita Judge

Lita Judge's "Flight School" tells an equally funny - and emotionally credible - story about the power of the imagination. A very determined little penguin announces he has "the soul of an eagle" and "was hatched to fly." He enlists the help of some bigger birds in taking to the skies. Tricked out in goofy red aviator glasses, he tries and tries again and, of course, fails. Judge (of "Red Sled" and "Red Hat") has a delicate touch with expressions, and her disappointed flight instructors look like music teachers whose favorite pupil abandons orchestra for ice hockey. But all is not lost: They think up a plan to help the penguin realize his dream. In the end, the flight he takes is a triumph of the imagination over experience. It makes him happy all the same.