Saturday, May 14, 2011

Mr. Popper's Penguins

Right now, we're reading Mr. Popper's Penguins (c. 1938) by Richard and Florence Atwater with illustrations by Robert Lawson.  The recommendation kindly came from Jo Betsy Kinser and her grandchildren Ashley and Jacob who went to the Chattanooga Aquarium to see all the penguins once they completed the book.  Can't wait to see photos!

Anyway, my kids won't let me put this book down!  I especially recommend reading it during the heat of summer so that you're transported into a much colder climate.

I could write and write about this charming read, but let me quote from the jacket cover instead:
Mr. Popper's Penguins is one of the handful of American books for children that has attained the status of a classic.  First published in 1938, this story of a housepainter who is sent a male penguin by the great Admiral Drake . . . has amused and enchanted generations of children and their parents.

Right from the start, Mr. Popper's Penguins was received warmly.  The New York Herald Tribune wrote of it: One of those books which parents will carry downstairs to finish after the fifteen minutes' bedtime reading is done.

That charm has exerted its power for fifty years, and Mr. Popper's Penguins continues to delight readers, old and young alike.

I especially encourage you to read Mr. Popper's Penguins before seeing the upcoming movie starring Jim Carey.  Personally, I can't imagine Carey's zaney antics to properly represent the absent-minded Mr. Popper.  What do you think?

1 comment:

  1. My son loved this book - it's one of the ones we brought overseas with us - it made 'the cut'. I had no idea a movie with Jim Carey was coming out - we'll have to see it XOL

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