Mary Poppins – P.L. Travers

Synopsis

By P.L. Travers, the author featured in the major motion picture, Saving Mr. Banks. From the moment Mary Poppins arrives at Number Seventeen Cherry-Tree Lane, everyday life at the Banks house is forever changed.

It all starts when Mary Poppins is blown by the east wind onto the doorstep of the Banks house. She becomes a most unusual nanny to Jane, Michael, and the twins. Who else but Mary Poppins can slide up banisters, pull an entire armchair out of an empty carpetbag, and make a dose of medicine taste like delicious lime-juice cordial? A day with Mary Poppins is a day of magic and make-believe come to life!

My review

How has it taken this long for me to read this series? As a child I would watch the Disney movie ‘Mary Poppins’ over and over again. I knew all of the songs and as an adult I have continued to love Mary Poppins. I was even fortunate enough to watch the stage show in Sydney a while back. This series took me back to my childhood in an instant.

This first book of the Mary Poppins series was magical, fun, mysterious and humorous. After watching ‘Saving Mr. Banks’, I expected the books and movie to be vastly different. Although this is the case, I also enjoyed the similar events that took place and I often pictured the characters from the film. I loved reading about the original characters who didn’t appear in the movie and learning more about some of the characters who did.

Mary Poppins is very stern and I love her no-nonsense attitude, even as she is involved in the most magical of moments. I enjoyed learning more about the children and one of my favourite chapters revolves around the twins, John and Barbara.

I love the structure of the novel. As the story progresses, each chapter brings to life more magic and a new event. When Mary Poppins arrives on the doorstep of Number seventeen Cherry Tree Lane, to take the role of Nanny to the children, Jane and Michael begin to experience a world beyond their imaginations. From pictures that can be stepped into to demanding dogs to laughing cows. I am in awe of P.L.Travers’ imagination.

If you haven’t read this book yet and loved the movie, I highly recommend you read it! This truly is a childrens classic that will no doubt, be read in my house for years to come. I hope that many children and adults alike are able to experience the extra special magic of Mary Poppins.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐