The unexpected delivery of a large crate containing an Antarctic penguin changes the life and fortunes of Mr. Popper, a house painter obsessed by d...
read full description
reviews
Jan 03, 2011
Mariel
rated it: 
Float of a reaaaaally old review because the penguins need food.
I made all my pets read this to try and make them understand that they need to support ME for a change. It's not a good book for getting the good life, unfortunately. It's cute enough, though. It was cute in a good way, not the "Wild hijinks ensue!" sitcomy problems way. I think birds cause an awful lot of problems. It was good that the book took that problem seriously. I also liked that Mr. Popper was obsessed More...
I made all my pets read this to try and make them understand that they need to support ME for a change. It's not a good book for getting the good life, unfortunately. It's cute enough, though. It was cute in a good way, not the "Wild hijinks ensue!" sitcomy problems way. I think birds cause an awful lot of problems. It was good that the book took that problem seriously. I also liked that Mr. Popper was obsessed More...
8 comments
like
(8 people liked it)
Jan 19, 2012
Emily
rated it: 
I remember loving this in third grade when the school librarian read it aloud to our class. Decided to try it on the seven year-old, who likes animal stories, and was curious to see if I'd still like it at this late date. Yes, but not as much. This time around, I thought it got off to a slow start, and it struck me that it would be odd today for the main (human) character in a children's book to be an adult, although the rumpled, absent-minded, polar-fanatic house-painter Mr. Popper is hardly
More...
3 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Dec 13, 2008
Evan
rated it:
The single greatest book of my childhood. (Nerd alert warning)...This will explain how much I enjoyed this book. When I first read it, I had inherited a copy from one of my older siblings. They had written their name in the front of it, because our mother has a weird obsession with putting our names on everything that was ours (especially books and clothes). When I was sent home with one of the scholastic book buy handouts (which I was obsessed with), I told my mom that we did not own the bo
More...
3 comments
like
(9 people liked it)
Oct 19, 2007
The Library Lady
rated it: 
Mr Popper is a mild mannered house painter who loves to listen to radio programs about penguins. So when an Admiral sends him a REAL penguin, he is delighted to have it for a pet. Only "Captain Cook" gets lonely, and needs a mate, so the Admiral sends "Greta". Soon there are 12 penguins living in the Poppers basement. And times are tough and the Poppers don't have much money to feed those penguins. What to do?
This is a warm, funny, old fashioned family story that More...
This is a warm, funny, old fashioned family story that More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
May 29, 2008
Kressel
rated it:
My son the nature-lover, who is not as avid a reader as his brothers, is a die-hard fan of this book. His enthusiasm began in school when his teacher read the book to his class, and before she could finish, he persuaded me to bring it home to read at bedtime. It's the charming and often funny story of an ordinary house painter who dreams of Antarctica. When he receives a penguin as a surprise gift, the adventures begin! The book was written in the 30's, but it really transcends time. A fun foll
More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Dec 09, 2011
Kelley
rated it:
Genre: Fantasy/Newbery Honor
Mr. Popper dreams of being an Antarctic explorer and receives a response to a fan letter he sent to Admiral Drake in the way of a package. The package contains a penguin, and soon he has multiple penguins that he must decide how he can care for.
Plot
The plot behind this story is pretty farfetched; the idea of penguins being mailed to someone and then that person trying to raise them in their home makes for an amusing tale. The character of Mr. P More...
Mr. Popper dreams of being an Antarctic explorer and receives a response to a fan letter he sent to Admiral Drake in the way of a package. The package contains a penguin, and soon he has multiple penguins that he must decide how he can care for.
Plot
The plot behind this story is pretty farfetched; the idea of penguins being mailed to someone and then that person trying to raise them in their home makes for an amusing tale. The character of Mr. P More...
Feb 12, 2012
Mimi
rated it:
This is a good book for older children. I think they would really like the idea of penguins living in the house with a family. I enjoyed the illustrations, and I am glad I finally read this classic.
As a mother though, I can't really get over the last page where the husband just suddenly left for the Arctic not to return for a few years. That would not go over well with me. And how could Mr. Popper leave his kids? Were the penguins, the Arctic, and finally seeing the world really that More...
As a mother though, I can't really get over the last page where the husband just suddenly left for the Arctic not to return for a few years. That would not go over well with me. And how could Mr. Popper leave his kids? Were the penguins, the Arctic, and finally seeing the world really that More...
Feb 12, 2012
Emma
rated it:
I've learned which ones are considered the holiest of holies and which are to be condemned and spat upon. So I was completely taken aback when I learned that there was a 1938 children's book that absolutely no one had ever told me to read before. "Mr. Popper's Penguins" was a delight to discover. Suddenly I was privy to reading a charming story of a man and his penguins, and I had never even heard a peep about this tale from anyone. What gives? Why isn't "Mr. Popper's Penguins"
More...
Feb 06, 2012
Lady
rated it:
: What is not to love about penguins? And when they are as adorable as Mr.Popper’s penguins with wonderful names to boot, that is just perfect. This book is exactly that – a perfect little book that is great to read-aloud, great for any age (I loved it) and a perfect size (not too long and not too short) - with illustrations that catch your eye, penguins that pop out of the pages, and the most endearing characters (human and animal).
Mr.Popper is a house painter who has lived all his life i More...
Mr.Popper is a house painter who has lived all his life i More...
Feb 01, 2012
Coreena
rated it:
This is a sweet book that will probably appeal to a wide variety of younger middle school readers. Mr. Popper is a house painter who has finished his work for the year. Every winter, he sits at home and dreams about travelling, though he has never left his small town of Stillwater. He especially dreams of the Arctic poles. One day, he receives a package from the famous Admiral Drake, a penguin from the Antarctic, and the fun begins.
It is fun to see Mr. Popper's passion for his pe More...
It is fun to see Mr. Popper's passion for his pe More...
Oct 27, 2011
Shala
rated it:
My Four-Year-Old is just beginning to be interested in having chapter books read to her. But as she gets stressed out by conflict of any sort, it's kind of tough finding good candidates for her. This is a winner.
For those of you who haven't read the book, the basic premise is that a house painter who spends his off-hours reading about (and writing to) explorers in the South Pole receives a penguin in the mail from one of those explorers. Since his work is over for the winter, he becom More...
For those of you who haven't read the book, the basic premise is that a house painter who spends his off-hours reading about (and writing to) explorers in the South Pole receives a penguin in the mail from one of those explorers. Since his work is over for the winter, he becom More...
3 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Aug 11, 2011
Jane
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jul 22, 2011
Gecky
rated it:
Popper's Penguins
* Read via NetGalley
This book is definitely a solid 4 gnomes out of 5 gnomes because it is memorable and surprisingly entertaining throughout. I read this book a long time ago and thought I should read it again because of the movie that came out based on the book.
Mr. Popper is a house painter so he only has money for about half of the year, the other half his family lives on what he makes. Let's just say that the Popper's aren't exactly rich. More...
* Read via NetGalley
This book is definitely a solid 4 gnomes out of 5 gnomes because it is memorable and surprisingly entertaining throughout. I read this book a long time ago and thought I should read it again because of the movie that came out based on the book.
Mr. Popper is a house painter so he only has money for about half of the year, the other half his family lives on what he makes. Let's just say that the Popper's aren't exactly rich. More...
Jul 07, 2011
Donna
rated it:
This was one of my favorite books as a child. When I got back from a week-long trip last night, all I wanted to do was read something so familiar that I didn't have to think at all. This book fit the bill admirably.
This slim book is about a housepainter named Mr. Popper who is fascinated by the North and South Poles. His devotion leads him to read copiously on the subjects, and to write to his hero, Admiral Drake, explorer of the Poles. As a gift to his devoted fan, Drake sends Popper More...
This slim book is about a housepainter named Mr. Popper who is fascinated by the North and South Poles. His devotion leads him to read copiously on the subjects, and to write to his hero, Admiral Drake, explorer of the Poles. As a gift to his devoted fan, Drake sends Popper More...
Jun 30, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
I really liked this book! I was hesitant at first, not knowing what to expect. The sentences seemed a little simplistic, the details redundant, and the humor a bit corny. But I quickly realized this is not a middle grade novel but one aimed at a slightly younger audience, unusual for a Newbery winner. It’s a wonderful chapter book choice for 7 to 9-year-olds. So I amend my hasty judgments. The sentences are easy for new readers to wade through, the repetition helpful and even funny, and t
More...
Jun 27, 2011
Laura
rated it:
I know. So, what was I thinking when I bought this book?
Well. It was only $.50 at a library sale, so I decided to risk it. And the result?
It was a sweet, though unrealistic little story. Mr. Popper is the local painter in the town of Stillwater, but he dreams of adventurous expeditions to the North and South Poles. He reads books about the Poles, listens to radio shows about the Poles, and is generally absorbed in them. One day, in response to a letter which he wrote to t More...
Well. It was only $.50 at a library sale, so I decided to risk it. And the result?
It was a sweet, though unrealistic little story. Mr. Popper is the local painter in the town of Stillwater, but he dreams of adventurous expeditions to the North and South Poles. He reads books about the Poles, listens to radio shows about the Poles, and is generally absorbed in them. One day, in response to a letter which he wrote to t More...
Jun 20, 2011
Josiah
rated it:
I would give this book one and a half stars.
Mr. Popper's Penguins isn't like most of the stories you'll read that have received official recognition from the Newbery Committee over the years. The book is very much a product of its time, featuring the types of humor and characters common to children's books of the 1930s. This means that the story will likely have its greatest appeal to the very youngest of readers, most likely those in third grade and younger.
Mr. Popp More...
Mr. Popper's Penguins isn't like most of the stories you'll read that have received official recognition from the Newbery Committee over the years. The book is very much a product of its time, featuring the types of humor and characters common to children's books of the 1930s. This means that the story will likely have its greatest appeal to the very youngest of readers, most likely those in third grade and younger.
Mr. Popp More...
Mar 31, 2011
It amazes me that Mr Popper’s Penguins was written in 1938. Did you know that? Because I didn’t, until I just recently. And it’s still beloved and read by children today. It boggles my mind.
Strangely enough, I remember reading this book when I was young. It made that much of an impact. My mother blames it for starting my fascination with penguins. Apparently after reading Mr Popper’s Penguins, I constantly insisted on going to the nearest zoo so I could “free them and bring them home More...
Strangely enough, I remember reading this book when I was young. It made that much of an impact. My mother blames it for starting my fascination with penguins. Apparently after reading Mr Popper’s Penguins, I constantly insisted on going to the nearest zoo so I could “free them and bring them home More...
Jan 27, 2011
Pricky
rated it:
I read this as a child and really enjoyed it so I read it to my daughter. She really loved it and maybe I have to just remind myself that this is a book for the "younger folk."
As an adult, when I read this, I just thought it was just Silly...silly, as in...this story doesn't make any sense at all and is just full of nonsense. Don't get me wrong, I love children's stories that have bits of fantasy to them: Ralph S. Mouse, Indian in the Cupboard, etc...It's just that, I found More...
As an adult, when I read this, I just thought it was just Silly...silly, as in...this story doesn't make any sense at all and is just full of nonsense. Don't get me wrong, I love children's stories that have bits of fantasy to them: Ralph S. Mouse, Indian in the Cupboard, etc...It's just that, I found More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Nov 06, 2010
I just reread this classic with my six year old. He brought home a picture book called 365 Penguins from his school library last week. In it, a family receives a penguin each and every day of the year. Very cute and it reminded me of Mr. Popper's Penguins. I asked my son if he wanted us to read it together. And so we began.
I love this book and I especially love sharing it. Captain Cook (the penguin) is such a playful character. You can see why everyone in Stillwater is so capt More...
I love this book and I especially love sharing it. Captain Cook (the penguin) is such a playful character. You can see why everyone in Stillwater is so capt More...
Dec 30, 2009
Sarah-Greenbeanteenqueen
rated it:
Mr. Popper's Penguins is a children's classic and Newbery Honor book. I don't know how I had never read it as a child, but I found it to be a fun read at any age.
The story is one that I think every child dreams of at some point. An animal that is not typically a pet becomes a pet for Mr. Popper and his family. As a child, I dreamt that I would get a pet monkey, so I'm sure children would delight in reading about how the family adjusts to having a unique animal at home, and maybe lea More...
The story is one that I think every child dreams of at some point. An animal that is not typically a pet becomes a pet for Mr. Popper and his family. As a child, I dreamt that I would get a pet monkey, so I'm sure children would delight in reading about how the family adjusts to having a unique animal at home, and maybe lea More...
Dec 01, 2009
Natalie
rated it:
Mr. Popper's Penguins was a Newberry Honor book in 1939 and has been a commonly taught book in grades 2-4 ever since. It is becoming a part of our cultural literature (so widely read that it is referred to as common knowledge) and I read it for that reason.
This is a delightful book about a poor house painter who is obsessed with Antarctica; he studies books and magazines about the frozen continent and even writes to Admiral Drake about his current expeditions. To his surprise, Drake send
More...
Apr 15, 2009
Cedar
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Sep 04, 2011
Taralen
rated it:
Not much can really be said for this book. To be honest, for a Newberry Winner, I expected more. Nonetheless, it proved to be an enjoyable read. What I find absolutely baffling about this story is how many of the characters in the book do not know what penguins are. I’m assuming that people in the 1930s just weren’t familiar with them. It’s just a little odd since I’m so used to seeing penguins just about EVERYWHERE nowadays.
That aside, I think it’s a little odd how accepting t More...
That aside, I think it’s a little odd how accepting t More...
Aug 17, 2011
Jen
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Sep 13, 2011
Brenda
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jun 29, 2011
the golden witch.
rated it:
"Mr. Popper's Penguins" was always one of my favorite childhood books. I remember a time when I demanded for weeks on end that my mother get me a penguin or seventy after reading this book for the first time (sadly, I was denied). Now, on the anniversary of the release of the film, this new ebook edition has been gorgeously retouched with more vibrant illustrations, a short biography of the authors at the end of the story, and new photos from the authors' estate. If you're looking to p
More...
Jun 02, 2011
Mandolin
rated it:
Having seen the billboards announcing this book as an upcoming movie starring Jim Carrey, I had to listen to the CD when I saw it at the library! I'm so glad I did because I found Mr. Popper's story charming and entertaining and I can certainly picture Carrey in this role. Mr. Popper is a house painter who is married to a dull but sweet wife and has two children. He lives a routine, unexciting life and has never been very far away from his hometown of Stillwater. At least, he's never been aw
More...
Jan 28, 2012
Susan
rated it:
I had my grandchildren this weekend and we read this book together.
They thought it was funny and exciting. Once we atarted reading they wanted to read it rather than some of the other things I had planned.
They could not wait to turn the pages and find out what kind of troulble the Penguins were up to. They are going to ask their dad and mom for a pet pennguin. I think their parents might not be too happy with me. A zoo pass might be in their future.
We did tal More...
They thought it was funny and exciting. Once we atarted reading they wanted to read it rather than some of the other things I had planned.
They could not wait to turn the pages and find out what kind of troulble the Penguins were up to. They are going to ask their dad and mom for a pet pennguin. I think their parents might not be too happy with me. A zoo pass might be in their future.
We did tal More...
May 26, 2010
Scott
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
