There were many pleasant surprises (mostly from characters who were revealed to be kind, if not understanding and/or reasonable, people), and the matter-of-fact delivery of humorous events worked on me. I believe Captain Cook, the first Penguin to arrive in the home of the Poppers, is the most developed character in the story. 
 It could have done well without the scene of penguins fighting for the amusement of an audience. I'm content with the uncommon behaviors of characters and the unlikely turns of events, but that plot point was a careless inclusion. It probably didn't stand out much when this book was first published but it was discomforting to me. I also take issue with some language, and one illustration depicting a black character which was--at best--iffy. 
 However, this is a ridiculous, fun--though dated--book, and the exact change of pace that I needed after finishing The Big Sleep, and the final volume of Alex and Ada!