 "A classic tale for kids who love penguins" | 2009-08-30 |
| - Reviewed By User: AGLUFC44W2LN9 |
| This is a book I read as a child back in the early 1950s and enjoyed. When my grand daughter developed a liking for penguins from recent Disney movies (animated), I thought she might just enjoy this book as much as I had. She loves to read, and she was delighted to receive it on her birthday recently. Worth considering for any child in grades 2-4. |
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| "A Story Not to Be Missed" | 2009-07-29 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3VZHJ2NV1T35K |
At 71 years old, this book is still as popular as it was when published back in 1938! How had I made it all the way through childhood and a looooong adulthood without ever having heard of it?
I decided it would be one of the books that 8 yo, "J", and I would read together. He's been pretty deep into the Wimpy Kid books lately, so I wasn't sure how he would take to some of the more old-fashioned elements of this story. But we really like penguins at my house, so I figured that aspect would capture his interest. I needn't have been concerned. He absolutely LOVED this book!
Mr. Popper is somewhat of an absent-minded dreamer, and he often finds himself in the middle of some of the most absurdly ridiculous predicaments -- even before any penguins take up residence at 432 Proudfoot Avenue. Once they begin to move in, though, the chaos is hilarious. One of the most hysterical scenes takes place when Mr. Popper telephones City Hall to find out whether he needs a license for his first penguin, Captain Cook. I won't spoil it for you, but it reads a lot like the old 'Who's on first' routine. "J" was literally rolling around laughing, unable to catch his breath! I got a kick out of the variant ways characters reacted to seeing a virtual chorus line of penguins walking around town. Some were completely freaked out, which of course was funny, but others took it completely in stride, and that acceptance was laughably ludicrous!
There are some illustrations here and there throughout the book which enhance rather than overpower the story. The interior drawings are the original illustrations by Robert Lawson, and they nicely set the story in the 30's as well as show the sweetness of the penguins. The cover art of this edition, by Michael Emberley, is cute and funny.
This is a story not to be missed. I think anyone would enjoy the silliness, but there's nothing quite like experiencing this sort of inanity with a kid at your elbow and seeing it through their eyes. I hope you all have one handy to share this comical adventure about what can happen when dreams come true.
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| "Heart Warming Story for All" | 2009-07-15 |
| - Reviewed By User: APJS1VFQL9B25 |
I am a teacher and I have read this book in both second and third grades.
It is a delightful story that really keeps the students interest. Surprisingly, the parents would want to read the chapters with their kids for homework ... they were hooked! Use the study guide in class and you will have a great read and fun! |
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| "Great reading of a wonderful classic" | 2009-06-11 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1S1YWNZEJPVAB |
Mr. Popper is a housepainter who dreams of travel and loves to read books about Antarctica. He writes a fan letter to a famous explorer, Admiral Drake, who in return ships him his very own penguin. Mr. Popper names the penguin Captain Cook and makes accommodations (like drilling air holes in his refrigerator) so he can live with them. Captain Cook seems to thrive at first, but later becomes lonely, so Admiral Drake sends Greta to keep him company. Captain Cook and Greta have ten babies and the twelve penguins are literally about to eat the Poppers out of house and home.
Mr. Popper decides to train the penguins to perform and the show is a huge success. They are invited to tour the country for $5000 a week. Things go great until they get to New York and Mr. Popper and his penguins show up at the wrong theater. They end up in jail and Admiral Drake bails them out. He asks Mr. Popper to allow him to take the penguins to live in the Arctic so the explorers there won't be lonely. At the same time, a man from Hollywood offers to make stars out of the penguins and make the Poppers wealthy. Mr. Popper must decide what is best for the future of his family and his penguins.
When I saw that Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater was being released as an audio book I was really excited because this was one of my favorite books as a child. This book lasts about 2 hours and is read by Nick Sullivan. He does a marvelous job - using different voices and sound affects. I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting this childhood favorite - this classic book stands the test of time. This audio book is appropriate for the whole family and would be great to listen to on a car trip this summer. |
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 "Popper is so silly" | 2009-06-10 |
| - Reviewed By User: A29CNJWQVB5RBF |
This book was completely silly, fun and light-hearted. Great for children and adults alike. The reader Nick Sullivan did a fantastic job making each and every character and penguin come to life in the reading. There was music and sound effects that helped with the ambiance as well. An overall great audio book experience.
The story on the other hand is a bit dated and some of the penguin information is now found to be misleading. We all know that the male is the one who takes care of the egg and that there are penguins living in other place than the South Pole. If your children read this book we just need to make these things clear to them if they ask. Also, I was quite disappointed that Mr. Popper never stood up for himself and let himself get pushed around by people he didn't even know. Mr. Popper was a very kind man who never wanted to cause harm to anyone. I guess it was a lesson on turning the other cheek, but man I would have yelled at the lady on the street, she was so mean! |
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| "good book" | 2009-05-22 |
| - Reviewed By Anonymous |
| I recommend that you read Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater. The genre is fantasy. Mr. Popper finds that penguins are funny. So Mr. Popper sends a note to Admiral Drake telling him how funny they are. So the Admiral sends him a penguin. The penguin has 10 babies. Read to find out what happens to the penguins and why they are so funny. I like this book because it's funny. |
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