The creator of the popular Bloom County comic strip takes up the well-worn theme of an animal who helps Santa. Opus is a penguin who longs to fly, but it's his swimming strength that makes him a hero after Santa's sleigh falls in a lake after the harness breaks. Reward: Santa's praise plus a ride aloft, borne by his friends the snow ducks. Nothing new here, but the story is told with competence and energy; the lavish mixed-media illustrations (airbrush smooth, cartoon style) have plenty of witty details.