Penguins and mermaids

“Mr. Popper’s Penguins”

Richard and Florence Atwater

Mr. Popper is obsessed with the Antarctic. He is also obsessed with a group of Arctic explorers. He sends a letter to one of the Arctic explorers, who sends him back a package. Mr. Popper opens the package and he is happy to find a penguin packed in ice. His kids think having an Arctic bird will be fun. The penguin explores every single inch of every room in the house.

The penguin keeps on saying GOOK-GOOK-GOOK, so Mr. Popper names him Captain Cook, because it sounds like “cook.”

Mr. Popper buys some seafood and Captain Cook eats all of it. The funniest part of the book is later when Captain Cook and the other penguins keep climbing the ladder and pushing each other off.

I like this book because it’s kid friendly and educational. The penguins are all funny and nothing serious or scary happens. It tells a lot about penguin behavior too. I would recommend this book to girls or boys, ages 6 to 10.

Reviewed by Ryan, 8

Sycamore Elementary

Claremont

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“The Tail of Emily Windsnap”

Liz Kessler

Emily Windsnap is no ordinary girl. She is a mermaid! At her school pool, she suddenly turns into a mermaid. Her teacher/coach thinks it is just a cramp. When she goes home to her houseboat, the King, Emily tells her mom about it. Emily did not want to go to swim class anymore. Her mom tells her she is right and that her family was never meant to go in the water.

One day, when her mom is gone, Emily decides to swim in the ocean. She meets a mermaid named Shona there, in the middle of the night. Shona attends mermaid and merman school. Emily and Shona become BFFs and meet in secret.

Meanwhile, at the King, Mr. Beeston, the lighthouse keeper, comes daily to see Emily’s mother. To see what happens next, read the book.

Reviewed by Lauren, 5th Grade

John C. Fremont Elementary

Glendale

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“Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies From Outer Space”

Dav Pilky

One day three aliens named Zorx, Klax and Jennifer suddenly came to take over the world. The aliens were dressed as cafeteria ladies, and all of the children in the school, except two boys named George and Harold, turned into zombie nerds. Do George and Harold eventually turn into zombie nerds too? You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens.

Reviewed by Laura, 10

Rockdale Elementary

Los Angeles

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Kids, send us your reviews. Mail them to Kids’ Reading Room, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012; or fax to (213) 237-5946; or e-mail kidsreadingroom@latimes.com.