Mr. Popper's Penguins Summary

Study Notes

Mr. Popper's Background

Mr. Popper is a painter, showcasing his artistic profession.

Surprise Gift

A penguin named Captain Cook is gifted to Mr. Popper as a surprise.

Winter Savings

To save money during winter, the Popper family resorts to a simple diet of beans every day.

Captain Cook's Behavior

Captain Cook exhibits signs of sadness; he refuses to eat, sulks, sleeps excessively, and behaves aggressively.

Introduction of Greta

The arrival of another penguin, Greta, from the aquarium helps lift Captain Cook's spirits.

Penguin Offspring

Captain Cook and Greta become parents to 10 penguin babies, expanding the family.

Financial Struggles

The Popper family faces financial difficulties as they begin to run out of money.

Creative Solution

Mr. Popper devises a plan to create a trained penguin act as a means to earn money.

Misadventure in Minneapolis

During a performance, the penguins cleverly hide under an opera singer's skirt in Minneapolis.

Mistaken Venue

Mr. Popper mistakenly enters the wrong theater, leading to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment.

Unexpected Visitor

Admiral Drake visits Mr. Popper while he is in jail, indicating potential support or resolution.

Mr. Popper's Profession and Lifestyle

Mr. Popper is a painter who only works during the Spring to Fall seasons, taking winters off.
To save costs in the winter, Mr. Popper and his family rely on a diet of beans every day.

The Arrival of Captain Cook

Admiral Drake surprises Mr. Popper with a penguin named Captain Cook.
Mr. Popper dresses nicely to take Captain Cook for walks, wanting to appear as well as the penguin.

Captain Cook's Health Issues

Captain Cook exhibits signs of illness: refusal to eat, sulking, sleeping excessively, and biting.
The penguin's depression is revealed to stem from loneliness.

Introduction of Greta

To remedy Captain Cook's loneliness, another penguin named Greta is sent from the aquarium.
Captain Cook and Greta successfully breed, having 10 babies, which is a significant number for penguins.

Financial Struggles

The Popper family, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Popper, Janie, and Bill, faces a financial crisis due to the increasing costs associated with the penguins.

Creation of a Penguin Act

Mr. Popper devises a plan to create a trained penguin act to generate income.
He approaches Mr. Greenbaum to promote and market the penguin act.

Misadventures in Minneapolis

During a performance in Minneapolis, the penguins create chaos by hiding under an opera singer's skirt.
A major mishap occurs when Mr. Popper mistakenly enters the wrong theater, leading to his arrest.

Support from Admiral Drake

Admiral Drake shows his support for Mr. Popper by visiting him in jail following the mishap.

Description

Explore the heartwarming tale of Mr. Popper's Penguins, where a painter's life transforms with the arrival of a delightful penguin. As financial struggles arise, Mr. Popper's creative solutions lead to amusing adventures, showcasing the joys and challenges of family life. Join in this delightful story filled with surprises and love for animals!