Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater

Reviewed by Lori
Mr. Popper's Penguins
Title: Mr. Popper's Penguins

Authors: Richard and Florence Atwater

Illustrator: Robert Lawson

Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 203669

Description:  Mr. Popper trains his band of penguins to star in a vaudeville tour.

Rubric Rating: Level 3 - Laud it.

Why I read it: I watched the movie with my kids and picked up the book to read as a read aloud as they enjoyed it so much.


Lori's Notes: The book is radically different than the movie.  But that is to be expected considering the movie was filmed in 2011 and the book was published in 1938.  That being said the book was still quite enjoyable.  Mr. Popper, a house painter who dreams of world travel, receives a Penguin from Antarctica.  After receiving another penguin from the Boston zoo the Popper family is soon living with 12 penguins and travel the country with Popper's Performing Penguins.  This was a funny story and a great read aloud.

Recommended Readers: Grade 3 and Up

Themes: Families, Relationships, Animals/Penguins, Environment, Following your Dreams, Humour, Illustrated Novels.

Cross-Genre Links: 
Movie: Mr. Poppers Penguins (2011)
Book: The Penguin who Hated the Cold by Barbara Brenner

Post-Reading Discussion Questions and Activities: 

  • How does Mr. Popper end up with Captain Cook? Gerta?
  • Why does Mr. Popper daydream so much?  What does he daydream about?
  • What do you like to imagine about?  Create an imagination journal.
  • If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you want to go and why?
  • Would you want to have a penguin for a pet?  Make a list of all the things you might need to keep a penguin happy and healthy.


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