This document contains chapter summaries and discussion questions for the book Mr. Popper's Penguins. It includes questions about the characters and plot developments in various chapters. The summaries explore how the Poppers come to own a penguin named Captain Cook, the arrival of more penguins including Greta, the penguins causing trouble around town, their development of an act to perform, and their ultimate fate. The questions probe for details on what happens to the penguins and how the various characters respond to the penguins and their antics.

1. Mr. Popper’s Penguins - Chapter 1
Journal Response
 Why was Mr. Popper so absent-
minded?
 What does the book mean by “Mr.
Popper had never seen the poles”?
 How did Mrs. Popper feel when it
was the end of September?
 What worried Mrs. Popper about
Mr. Popper not working until
Spring?

2. Chapter 2 – Journal Response
 Why is “A Voice in the Air” a good
title for this chapter?
 Do you think Mrs. Popper would like
to visit the South Pole? Why or why
not?
 Tell in your own words why Mr.
Popper thought penguins would be
good pets.
 Predict what Admiral Drake’s surprise
will be for Mr. Popper.

3. Chapters 3 and 4 – Journal
Response
 Describe the penguin.
 Explain what the penguin did
when he got out of the carton.
 What is the penguin’s name?
How did he get that name?
 What did Captain Cook do in
the bathroom? Why do you
think he did this?

4. Chapters 5 and 6 – Journal Response
 How did Mr. Popper make Captain
Cook feel at home?
 How did Mr. Popper make Captain
Cook feel more comfortable in the ice
box?
 What made the policeman come to
the Popper’s house?
 What trouble did Mr. Popper have
when he called City Hall about a
license for Captain Cook?

5. Chapters 7 and 8 – Journal Response
 Why did Mrs. Popper say her family
had untidy ways?
 List some of the items that Captain
Cook collected for his nest in the
icebox.
 What did Mrs. Callahan think Captain
Cook was?
 Explain why Captain Cook got so
excited when he saw the white boric
crystals.

6. Chapters 9 and 10 – Journal
Response
 Why was Mr. Popper so tired
after his walk with Captain
Cook?
 Why was Captain Cook moping
around?
 Who did Captain Cook contact
about captain cook’s condition?
 How did Greta come to live with
the popper’s?

7. Chapters 11 and 12 – Journal
Response
 Where did Captain Cook and
Greta live? How did the
popper’s feel about this?
 What changes were made in
the Popper house for Greta
and Captain Cook?
 How did Mr. Popper help with
greta’s eggs?
 What did the penguins and

8. Chapter 13 and 14 – Journal
Response
 What Was mrs. popper’s
worry, and how did Mr. Popper
suggest they solve it?
 Name three things the
penguins liked to do most.
 Describe the trip to the
theater.
 Would you hire the penguins

9. Chapters 15 and 16 – Journal
Response
 Describe the penguin act
rehearsal.
 Why did Mr. Greenbaum want
the penguins to parade
around?
 What is happening in the
picture on page 105?
 What happened during the

10. Chapter 17 and 18 – Journal
Response hoW do you knoW the penguin’s
act was a success?
 How did the penguins get on the
stage with the opera singer?
 What happened when the
penguins met the seals?
 How did the policemen andd the
firemen react to the scene?

11. Chapters 19 and 20 – Journal
Response
 What happened to the
penguins in jail?
 Why did Admiral Drake come
to talk to Mr. Popper?
 What Was mr. popper’s
decision?
 What did Mr. Klein suggest?
 What Was admiral drake’s
big surprise?