Rating: Not for me

Reading Level: Mid-Elementary

After reading Odder by Katherine Applegate, the contrast to this book was incredibly disappointing. Odder models careful, informed, science-based stewardship creatures. This book unfortunately showcases clumsy, harmful stewardship of animals as well as lying and hiding things from parents.

Possible Concerns:

  • Divorce. Dad left mom and kids unexpectedly
  • Lying. Kids lie to mom and teachers, hiding eggs and hatched chicks. Later a scientist explains that when the chicks hatched they imprinted on the kids, making it impossible for them to return to the wild. The scientist say it’s not their fault, but if they brought the eggs to experts, the experts could have saved the chicks.
  • Conservatives on the structure of the family will not like mention that sometimes eggs are raised by two girls or two boys.

Overall I’d take a pass on this and rather just stick with the original Mr. Popper’s Penguins Book.