Mr. Popper's Penguins: A Classic Children's Story

Setting

• The story takes place in the fictional town of Stillwater, in the United States.
• The time period is not specified, but it appears to be during the mid-20th century.

Author's Purpose

• The author, Richard Atwater, intended to entertain and educate children about responsibility and the importance of taking care of others.
• The story is meant to be humorous and lighthearted, with a touch of satire and social commentary.

Plot Summary

• The story revolves around Mr. Popper, a quiet, lonely, and somewhat eccentric house painter who lives in Stillwater.
• Mr. Popper's life changes when he receives a penguin as a gift from a distant relative, Admiral Drake.
• As Mr. Popper becomes more attached to the penguin, he starts to receive more penguins, eventually ending up with 12 penguins in his house.
• Chaos ensues as the penguins wreak havoc on the house and neighborhood, leading to a series of comedic events.
• Eventually, Mr. Popper finds a way to take care of the penguins and learns valuable lessons about responsibility and friendship.

Theme

• The main theme of the story is the importance of responsibility and taking care of others.
• The story also touches on the idea that having pets or dependents can bring joy and companionship, but also requires dedication and hard work.

Character Analysis

• Mr. Popper: The protagonist of the story, Mr. Popper is a quiet, lonely, and somewhat eccentric house painter who learns to take responsibility for the penguins and finds joy in taking care of them.
• The Penguins: The 12 penguins that Mr. Popper receives are a symbol of chaos and joy, bringing excitement and disruption to Mr. Popper's life.
• Admiral Drake: A distant relative of Mr. Popper's who sends him the first penguin, starting the chain of events in the story.