The story takes place in a sleepy, little town called Stillwater during the 1930's. Mr. Popper, a rather absent minded house painter who leads a rather routine life quickly changes when he is given a penguin. With the addition of the penguin, family money becomes scarce; therefore, Mr. Popper decides to have the penguins perform to bring in additional money. Mr. Popper then decides to travel across country with his penguins performing their routine...