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Mr. Popper's Penguins (by Florence Atwater, Richard Atwater)

common sense media says

1939 Newbery honor is both tender and funny.

parents & educators say
  • 33% say there are positive role models
  • 33% say there are positive messages
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What parents need to know

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.

Positive messages: In the end when facing a moral dilemma, Mr. Popper becomes a true hero
Positive role models:
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.
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 applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Mr. Popper's Penguins

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • 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.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Mr. Popper is a house painter in the 1930s in Stillwater, USA, and only works Spring through Fall. Wintertime is when he drowns himself in National Geographic and radio shows about world explorers. During one such show, he learns of Admiral Drake and his Antarctic adventures. He writes to him who surprisingly responds to Mr. Popper's letter with a live penguin. The adventures start with one and soon enough, the penguin family grows to nine. Mr. Popper, his wife, and their two kids take the penguins on the road as an act to earn money. The act eventually gets old and there's a run-in with the law only to be bailed out by Admiral Drake. Mr. Popper is then faced with a moral dilemma that questions the penguins' future.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS is one of those classic childhood books that kids always remember. The chapter book's witty dialogue (albeit with dated language), clever characters, and an ethical predicament make this book as enjoyable today as in the 1930s. Many teachers today use it as part of their language arts curriculum. Mr. Poppers Penguins is a good fit for most first- and second-grade readers, and can be read aloud to kindergartners.

Though the book was written in 1938, Mr. Popper was ahead of his time for progressive parenting, letting his kids leave school to help him take the penguin act on the road. He also treats his wife with respect, giving her voice equal status in the household. Kids will see through this funny, quirky man that learning never stops, and sometimes, by asking questions, great things happen. Mirroring the partnership of Mr. and Mrs. Popper, Richard Atwater got sick and was unable to finish the book, so his wife, Florence, picked up where he left off.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Florence Atwater, Richard Atwater
Illustrator: Robert Lawson
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication date: February 26, 2007
Number of pages: 139
Paperback price: $6.99
This review was written by Pam Gelman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

6
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 33% say there are positive role models
  • 33% say there are positive messages
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

CWAresounding
kid, 10 years old
9
 
Great
Mr. Popper’s Penguins is a great book for all ages. It has some very funny parts and if you like penguins you should not have to miss out on this fantastic book. The book also has some exciting parts. Everyone deserves to read about Mr. Popper’s Penguins: Captain Cook, Greta, Nelson, Columbus, Louisa, Jenny, Scott, Magellan, Adelina, Isabella, Ferdinand, and Victoria.
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helped me decide (30) | had useful details (35) | read my mind (44)
ross.allen
adult
6
 
Lovely!
Lovely tale!
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helped me decide (35) | had useful details (43) | read my mind (24)
treemouse
adult
 
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helped me decide (45) | had useful details (26) | read my mind (30)
undergurl
kid, 12 years old
6
 
I had to read this book in 4th grade and hated it (no offense other people) I kno it is supposed to be a heart-warming book which it is just not my type I perfer mysteries.
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helped me decide (40) | had useful details (29) | read my mind (30)
cmedelman
adult
 
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!!
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helped me decide (32) | had useful details (32) | read my mind (35)
bbot39
kid, 11 years old
2
 
read it
Great book. I know it say 2+ but its so good I would read it to my 2 year old someday.
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helped me decide (38) | had useful details (31) | read my mind (29)
imabookfreak
teen, 15 years old
6
 
Fun story!!
This story is something great to read as a bedtime story with just enough excitement!
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helped me decide (34) | had useful details (25) | read my mind (32)
misscompetitive
teen, 16 years old
 
love it
I love this book i think it was a very kid-friendly book and i think that lots of people should read this book he likes his 1 penguin so much that he gets so much more and then the penguins get famous well i wont tell you anymore read it
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helped me decide (35) | had useful details (24) | read my mind (24)
lexyblue15
teen, 14 years old
13
 
the greatest
.Mr. Popper’s Penguins is a great book for all ages. It has some very funny parts and if you like penguins you should not have to miss out on this fantastic book. The book also has some exciting parts. Everyone deserves to read about Mr. Popper’s Penguins: Captain Cook, Greta, Nelson, Columbus, Louisa, Jenny, Scott, Magellan, Adelina, Isabella, Ferdinand, and Victoria. I enjoyed this book.
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helped me decide (18) | had useful details (19) | read my mind (18)
frankstar
teen, 14 years old
8
 
poppers penguin
i think this is a great book for children and most adults who like comedy
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helped me decide (15) | had useful details (17) | read my mind (15)

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