Sue, we read Mr. Popper’s Penguins two years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was very disappointed when a movie came out and did not want my children to see it. I want so much for my children to remember the details of the books we read, not the movie versions, which have often been re-written or parts totally omitted for the sake of the screen. I was upset when I learned that my children saw this show at their grandparents’ house one weekend. I know they enjoyed it, but I would have preferred that they not see it.
I have never seen the movie, nor do I want to. I’m sure it’s probably clean and family-friendly, but I don’t want my memories of the book to be marred because I watched the movie.
This is my opinion of all the books we’ve read. Charlotte’s Web is probably the only movie that I can think of that the story line stays pretty close to the book. I won’t allow my kids to watch Stuart Little, The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Black Beauty, or Pollyanna either. Like I said, I’m sure they’re all great movies and would be enjoyed by all of us, but I don’t want the movie to ruin what images my children’s imaginations have already formed.
Just my opinion,
Lindsey 