Mr. Popper's Penguins

Chapters 1-4

Reading Check

1. Housepainter (Chapter 1)

2. A penguin (Chapter 3)

3. The icebox (Chapter 4)

Short Answer

1. Mr. Popper is interested in the North and South Poles and wishes he could be a scientist exploring the polar regions. Because Mr. Popper is attached to his family, however, he pursues his interests by reading about the polar regions in books and talking about them with his wife. Mr. Popper is particularly interested in penguins. (Chapters 1-2)

2. Mr. Popper’s activities such as reading and studying revolve around his interests in the Arctic regions; Mrs. Popper attends to daily activities such as sewing, housekeeping, and finances, and she also stretches the budget in ways that will see the family through the winter. Mr. Popper is described as a dreamer who has an absent-minded air about him, while Mrs. Popper is more practical and efficient. Their traits lead them to disagree at times; for example, when Mr. Popper favorably describes penguins as pets, Mrs. Popper disagrees, citing the mess they would make. (Chapter 2)

3. At first Mrs. Popper is shocked to see Captain Cook and screams in fear and distrust as the bird pecks at her ankle. A bit later, she describes the bird as a “nice clean-looking bird” despite her previous claim that a penguin sounded like it would be a messy pet. When Captain Cook eats the goldfish in the living room, Mrs. Popper spanks the back of his head to train him, but soon she takes on a maternal and forgiving role. (Chapter 4)

Chapters 5-8

Reading Check

1. A lion (Chapter 6)

2. A rookery (Chapter 7)

3. Mrs. Callahan (Chapter 8)

Short Answer

1. Mr. Popper pays a serviceman to add air holes and an inside handle to the icebox to create a home for Captain Cook. He also attempts to acquire a license from City Hall to walk his new pet on a leash he creates from his family’s clothesline. (Chapters 5-8)

2. Mr. and Mrs. Popper are on a tight budget because Mr. Popper earns an income only in the warmer months. Mr. Popper feels guilty paying the serviceman when he feels the money he has should go to feed his family. (Chapter 5)

3. The serviceman who adjusts Mr. Popper’s freezer for Captain Cook believes the bird’s ruckus must be the noise of a lion. This causes chaos as an officer comes to the door to see if it is in fact a lion. City Hall does not know how to handle Mr. Popper’s request for a license, likely because they have not encountered his question before. Mrs. Callahan believes the penguin to be an anteater. (Chapters 5-8)

Chapters 9-12

Reading Check

1. The barbershop (Chapter 9)

2. Dr. Smith (Chapter 10)

3. Greta (Chapter 11)

Short Answer

1. After the Poppers read the article about Captain Cook in the paper, the penguin’s mood is downcast. Bill observes that the penguin no longer plays with him; Captain Cook no longer eats, and he has a temperature of 104 degrees. His changed behaviors and temperature indicate that Captain Cook is unwell. (Chapter 10)

2. The community surrounding the Poppers is supportive in their time of need. They show kindness to the Poppers and bring broth for the sick penguin. Even Mrs. Callahan, who fears Captain Cook, brings him frozen custard. (Chapter 10)

3. While Greta lifts Captain Cook’s mood and makes him feel better, she presents some new problems for the Poppers. Greta takes up room in the icebox, and soon more space and provisions are needed when her chicks hatch. Having little space for the birds, Mr. Popper opens the windows and allows the frigid air to flow throughout the home, causing the Poppers to wear heavy clothing around the house. This scenario becomes problematic when snow drifts into the house and creates a mess for Mrs. Popper. Mr. Popper attempts to solve the problems by installing an expensive refrigerator and other living arrangements for the birds, but this increases his financial difficulties. (Chapters 11-12)

Chapters 13-16

Reading Check

1. Piano player (Chapter 13)

2. Mr. Greenbaum, the owner of multiple theaters (Chapter 14)

3. Ice cream (Chapter 15)

Short Answer

1. Mr. Popper’s solution is to train the penguins to perform an act in theaters. Mr. Popper exhibits his creativity and adaptability as he continually adjusts his surroundings and plans to accommodate the penguins and his family. (Chapter 13)

2. The audience loves the performance of Mr. Popper and his penguins. Aside from their enjoyment of the show, Mr. Greenbaum likely admires the Poppers’ ability to be flexible enough to perform on stage without prior notice. (Chapter 15)

3. Mrs. Popper is concerned about the children being out of school for ten weeks, but Mr. Popper believes travel is a type of education all its own, as it is possible for people to learn new things from travel. (Chapter 16)

Chapters 17-20

Reading Check

1. Mr. Swanson (Chapter 18)

2. Admiral Drake (Chapter 19)

3. In the North pole (Chapter 20)

Short Answer

1. The penguins’ popularity inspires companies such as Owen’s Oceanic Shrimp to use the penguins for advertising. Other companies want to use the penguins in advertising as well, but the penguins are not interested in oats and spinach. (Chapter 17)

2. Mr. Klein, who would like the penguins to perform in his movies, offers Mr. Popper enough money to live comfortably for the rest of his life while Admiral Drake wants to take the penguins to the North Pole to start a penguin colony. Mr. Popper thinks it over and makes the choice that he believes will be best for the penguins—the North Pole. (Chapters 19-20)

3. Mr. Popper’s interest in the North and South Poles first inspired Admiral Drake to give him a penguin as a pet. By doing the right thing for the penguins, Mr. Popper is given the opportunity to live with the penguins for 1-2 years while they adjust to the North Pole. (Chapters 17-20)