Book Review – Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard Atwater

Ok, here’s what I’m not going to do. I’m not going to talk about how unrealistic the story is or how introducing penguins to the Arctic would make them an invasive species. I’m not going to be so adultish about this book that it should make you roll your eyes at any “hot takes for the internet” over-analysis one might try to make.

What the story is is a whimsical tale that provides some fun moments of watching a man, his family, and a group of penguins be silly. I found the story to be like a longer version of a non-rhyming Dr. Seuss book, kind of like Cat In The Hat but Mr. Popper is the Cat – but not evil. There are also elements of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, although Mrs. Popper isn’t as insufferable as Walter’s wife – although there are some elements of comparison.

Overall, there’s not much to say other than to repeat the good-natured whimsy of man is passionate about Antarctic exploration, man receives penguin, man gets more penguins, man teaches penguins to dance, shenanigans abound. As an adult who can think back to enjoying my Dr. Seuss days, it was an ok book.