Mr.+Popper's+Penguins

Mr. Popper's Penguins- a 1938 Classic that is a Newberry Honor Book
Mr. Popper is a family man who works "seasonally" by painting houses. His work is plentiful during the spring and summer, but fall and winter he seems to be at home learning about many facts. His latest is PENGUINS from the ANTARCTIC. He even begins to communicate with a leader among all scientists in the Antarctic by listening to his radio show. Slowly but surely, he forms a friendship with the men of the Anarctic. One day, when listening to the radio program, Mr. Popper's name was mentioned and announced that he would be receiving a special package in the mail from the Antarctic. Of course, my own fourth graders were able to predict what would be in the package...for they referred to the title of the book.

The entire Popper family (Mr. Popper, Mrs. Popper and their two children) had difficulty making their home "penguin friendly", but they managed. Ond day the penguin, who they named Captain Cook, began to die of "loneliness". So to cure Captian Cook, the Poppers were delivered another penguin from a zoo that seemed to be under the same illness. Wouldn't you know, this penguin's name was Greta...a girl! Once again, my students were able to predict what would happen next...more penguins!!!!!!!!!!!!

The story continues with The Popper Family taking this group of penguins "on the road", as they trained them to dance to music played by Mrs. Popper on the piano. Soon they become a national hit!

The movie to arrive in theaters on June 17th, takes several "liberties" from the original book. The trailer looks hilarious, but seems to take the words from the paper to more exaggerated heights. Perhaps this is needed in order to attract movie goers? In any case, read the book first, then go see the movie.

For more books about PENGUINS- fiction and nonfiction:

1. Tacky The Penguin by Helen Lester - get to know this penguin and all of his "tacky" ways. Many sequels to the original: Tacky the Emperor, Tacky in Trouble etc. 2. Penguins! Strange and Wonderful by Laurence Pringle 3. See How They Grow - PENGUIN 4. Penguins- A First Discovery Book by Scholastic 5. The Little Penguin - by A.J. Wood - fictional story of a young penguin who is in search of his father, but soon finds something even more important. 6. 100 Things You Should Know About PENGUINS - Bargain Price at Barnes and Noble $5.95