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Mr. Popper's Penguins

(2007, Fiction - For Beginning Readers, Written by Richard and Florence Atwater, Illustrated by Robert Lawson)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 6.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    1939 Newbery honor is both tender and funny.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 6 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Mr. and Mrs. Popper struggle to make enough money, but are true partners and happy parents. Mr. Popper teaches his family about penguins with awe and respect. He also cries when sad.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Captain Cook (a penguin) is spanked when naughty. He also becomes lethargic and ill (with discussion of his poosible death) until Greta Penguin joins him.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Mr. Popper's Penguins

Parents need to know that this 1939 Newbery honor winner has captivated generations of readers. There's a little Mr. Popper in every reader, particularly those ages 5 to 8, full of questions about the world. In the end when facing a moral dilemma, Mr. Popper becomes a true hero. Vivid imagery, clever word plays, and funny characters that border on the absurd have made this book a popular choice in for kids in classrooms and at home.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how the definition of family has changed since the 1930s. Mr. and Mrs. Popper have very clear roles in this family. What are they? Would they have the same roles today? Parents can also talk about the Adelie penguin and help kids look up this and other types of penguins on the Internet or at the library.

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Our Members Say

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See all 6 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Lovely!

    Lovely tale!

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Alabama
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0

    Fun story!!

    This story is something great to read as a bedtime story with just enough excitement!

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Nebraska
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 1.0

    Chocolate Man

    ioafjawofeawjiowe

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Nevada
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    A Great Read-Aloud

    I read this book to my 2nd graders as our read-aloud over about a three week period, and they loved it! We read it as part of a unit on penguins and they learned so much and got so into it. They couldn't wait to read the next part every day! The story started a little slow but picks up quickly. Some of the vocabulary is a little high for 2nd grade and may require some explaining. Highly recommended!!

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0

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