Mr. Popper’s Penguins
by Richard and Florence Atwater, published 1938
“Mr. Popper soon found it was not so easy to take a penguin for a stroll. He tied one end of the clothesline to the penguin’s fat throat, and the other to his own wrist. “Ork!” said Captain Cook, the penguin indignantly.”
Here’s quite an old children’s book that somehow escaped my attention when I was growing up. It’s a delightful, simple, amusing book with nothing possibly true in it. Purely entertaining, with some sweet morals at the end- doing what is best for those you care about, and following your imagination.
I particularly like the simple way this children’s book is written, making it a good easy reader for younger children. I’ve been on the look-out for good children’s books for the five to eight-year-olds, and this one is a perfect fit.
Not much else to say about it other than the fact that it is fairly timeless, very harmless, and totally sweet. The image of penguins always makes one smile, especially if they are sitting in someone’s refrigerator or bathtub. This Newbery Honor book is a good read-aloud as well for younger children.
There are also several study guides available, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, Student Study Guide
By the way, there is a Hollywood movie from 2011 with the same name, rated PG no less! But the premise of the story has been totally changed and modernized. I wouldn’t go near it myself, as the children’s book itself is too lovely to see it ruined! There are also a variety of paperback versions out there, so look carefully.
