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nostalgia_reader's review against another edition
5.0
Funnily, I have a feeling the exact things I was able to overlook now, would have been the things I would have been annoyed with had I read this as a kid. And besides, back then I would have probably thought someone with a polar exploration obsession was crazy.
But this book checks all the boxes for me now, right down to Mr. Popper's obsession. I absolutely geeked out when I saw that he named the penguins for explorers... and the main one Captain Cook, no less!!
Despite the Popper's ignorance of frugality, the misconception that penguins are "neat" and "clean" birds (erm... what about all that poop?), and the overall unlikelihood of it all--I FREAKING LOVED THIS.
(Cross posted on my blog.)
But this book checks all the boxes for me now, right down to Mr. Popper's obsession. I absolutely geeked out when I saw that he named the penguins for explorers... and the main one Captain Cook, no less!!
Despite the Popper's ignorance of frugality, the misconception that penguins are "neat" and "clean" birds (erm... what about all that poop?), and the overall unlikelihood of it all--I FREAKING LOVED THIS.
(Cross posted on my blog.)
ruthmoog's review against another edition
Everyone in this book is an idiot. Except the penguin.
bkowalczik's review against another edition
3.0
This is humorous - on a second grade level. I wonder if it was amazing when it was published in 1938? I had a hard time with Mr. Popper leaving his family for one or two years in the end (Mrs. Popper is happy she won't have to tidy up after him, but what about the kids? I know I'm too serious.) and taking penguins to the North Pole. No.
misterbones's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
artistsallie's review against another edition
3.0
This is such a strange book. I had more fun with this when I was little, but I'm afraid that my adult brain cannot handle Mr. Popper's irresponsibility. I still love the imagery, but there's not much substance beyond that.
sarahbook's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
I had read this book in third grade and I remember really liking it. But I have a sneaking suspicion that maybe I just liked being in a reading group with my best friend. The pacing of the story was extremely wild. And the fact that no one knew what penguins were was extremely distracting. But it was cute to imagine little penguins marching around.
k10elli's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
2.0
Sweet albeit old fashioned story for young readers. I read this with my kids for a school program where the entire school reads the same book.
melissariggs's review against another edition
4.0
A good read for low-average 5th graders. With the movie out, this is an excellent choice for compare/contrast between the 2. An adorable story of Mr. Popper who longs to travel to Antartica...but receives a penguin instead.
sconci1322's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
marshmallowthebunny's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5