"Mr. Popper's Penguins"

Summary of Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
Mr. Popper is fascinated with the Antartic.  He acquires a pet penguin and the humorous adventures begin.  From deciding how to care for these unusual pets to their debut on the stage, the Popper family discovers in the end that the best place for a penguin is in his natural habitat. 

Atwater, R. & F. (1983).  Mr. Popper's Penguins. New York, NY.  Little, Brown & Company.

Personal Impressions of Mr. Popper's Penguins
This is a delightful book for children, especially those that love animals.  Creative ingenuity abounds as the family tries to duplicate conditions of the artic.  The humorous antics of these penguins are perfect for the stage, which is where they shine during their stay with the Poppers.  In the end, nature takes over.  The penguins begin to look ill and behave as if they are sad. The Poppers must make a decision, and decide to return the animals to their natural surroundings. Very fun, but also a commentary on how natural habitats provide animals with what they need.

Reviews of Mr. Popper's Penguins
"More than 60 years have not dated this wonderfully absurd tale--it still makes kids (and parents) laugh out loud. Poor Mr. Popper isn't exactly unhappy; he just wishes he had seen something of the world before meeting Mrs. Popper and settling down. Most of all, he wishes he had seen the Poles, and spends his spare time between house-painting jobs reading all about polar explorations. Admiral Drake, in response to Mr. Popper's fan letter, sends him a penguin; life at 432 Proudfoot Avenue is never the same again. From one penguin living in the icebox, the Popper family grows to include 12 penguins, all of whom must be fed. Thus is born "Popper's Performing Penguins, First Time on Any Stage, Direct from the South Pole." Their adventures while on tour are hilarious, with numerous slapstick moments as the penguins disrupt other acts and invade hotels. Classic chapter-a-night fun." (Ages 5 to 10)

Review by Richard Farr 
Retrieved from Books in Print on September 1, 2010

Suggestions for Use in a Library or School
This book would be great as a reader during a study on the artic or ocean animals.  A science experiment of ice, maybe a mini-model of what the Popper's did to the cellar, would be fun. Take a plastic tub and create an artificial slide (narrow piece of plastic that will hold water) and ice castle using ice cubes like blocks, then place it in the freezer overnight.  Ask the kids if they think what the Poppers tried would really work.  Elements of the artic habitat could be discussed and explained.  What is in their natural home and how is that best for them?