Mary Poppins Hardcover – Illustrated, June 1, 2006

Those familiar with only the movie will be surprised at some things they find in the book, Mary Poppins. The Banks Family of 17 Cherry Tree Lane are in a bit of bind. Their nanny, Katie Nanna, has quit without warning, leaving the four (not two) Banks children, Jane, Michael, John, and Barbara, without a...well, nanny! However, an east wind is blowing and, before Mrs. Banks can even put out an advertisement, it brings a new nanny. Mary Poppins is like no one the Banks family has ever met before. She seems to be able to do anything she wants, no matter what. Magic seems to follow wherever she goes and, despite her stern demeanor, the children find that they can not imagine life without their new nanny. The elder two children, Jane and Michael, have quite a few adventures. She takes them to see her Uncle Albert, who floats whenever he's cheery and his birthday falls on a Friday. Mary Poppins uses a magic compass to take the children around the world to meet different animals. The children meet Mrs. Corry and her two daughters, Fannie and Annie. The old woman is old enough to remember William the Conqueror, has edible fingers, and hangs gingerbread stars in the sky. Jane and Michael go to a birthday party at the zoo, where animals can talk and humans are locked in cages for the night. The two babies, John and Barbara, are often just brought along for the ride, and don't have too many adventures themselves. However, one must not imagine their lives are boring. Being babies, they speak the language of birds, which, among humans, only babies and Mary Poppins can understand. Eventually, though, the wind changes, and Mary Poppins leaves the Banks household. However, she does so with a promise to return.This book is...different. There isn't exactly a plot to the book. Rather, it's a series of adventures that Mary Poppins and the children have. It can be a bit disconcerting but, after a bit, one gets used to it and I rather like it.Mary Poppins is a fascinating character. She seems to know people (and creatures) from all eras and all worlds. She seems immortal and, yet, there is reference to her birth. The reader never quite finds out who (or what) Mary Poppins is. In addition, there is something a bit sinister about her. There seems to be no limit to her powers and one can imagine that she could seriously hurt someone, if she wanted to. Animals and humans alike seem to honor and be awed by her. Mary Poppins intimidates people and is extremely vain. She's very strict and, while one might suppose she has a softer side, she very seldom shows it. However, I don't see why the children like her. I can understand that they like the fun she brings, but they seem genuinely fond of her and there aren't many instances where she shows her fondness of them. Children tend not to love people who never or almost never show them love, so I don't feel it's plausible for the children to be so completely devoted to Mary Poppins. Perhaps if there had been one or two instances where Mary Poppins had hugged them, told them she cared for them, etc., that aspect would have been more believable.

Such wonderful and enchanting things happen whenever Mary Poppins is around. The book is even better than the movie. Did miss the music which is fabulous, though.

This is the original Mary Poppins, written by P.L. Travers and, not surprisingly, it differs significantly from the Disney version. It is not so much the storyline that differs, as many of the scenes from the movie come directly from the book. There is Bert, who journeys with Mary into a magical afternoon inside one of his paintings (although here he is a poor struggling match seller rather than a chimney sweep); there is the visit to Mary's uncle who can't stop laughing and who soon has everyone else laughing and floating around the ceiling, also. There are also several scenes that I don't remember from the movie, although granted I only saw it once when I was 7 or 8 years old, so there is a good chance I've forgotten much: the magical visit to the zoo in the middle of the night, when the animals are roaming around and the humans are in the cages; the scene involving the baby Banks twins and their ability to communicate with animals (and Mary's, as well); the Christmas shopping scene with Maia, one of the plaeides (sp?).But the major difference is in the personality of Mary herself. The Disney version was a kinder and gentler Mary; indeed, according to the Wiki article P.L. Travers had a major falling-out with Disney over, among other things, the way they softened Mary. In this original she is ascerbic and cranky (the only time she is friendly and gentle is in the scene with Bert), and extremely vain. Not the mild vanity of Julie Andrews who declared herself "practically perfect in every way"; this original Mary is absurdly vain, constantly admiring herself in mirrors, windows, any surface that offers a reflection, and carrying her umbrella everywhere in order to proudly show off its parrot head handle.There is also a slight difference in the Banks family, also. I remember the movie giving the impression that Jane and Michael were somewhat neglected by their too-busy parents, and that Mary Poppins magically came along to give them the love, attention and training they lacked. However, the book doesn't give this impression; Mr. Banks is indeed busy with his job but Mrs. Banks, far from the campaigning sufragette of the movie, is simply a somewhat harried mother of four whose personality is fairly bland. It is not clear why Mary Poppins suddenly appears, other than the fact that the Banks are in need of a nanny after theirs leaves without notice. And it is not clear why she suddenly leaves, since she didn't seem to accomplish any sort of "mission" with the Banks children.Nevertheless, this is a delighful story that is well suited for family listening. Sophie Thompson's narration is superb; she is a master at voices and adds color and personality to every character.

Mary Poppins is indeed back and as bad tempered and mean-spirited as ever. “Humph, a lot of dancing I get a chance for, don’t I—looking after the five worst children in the world!” Mary Poppins is described as gruff, priggish, conceited, and an accomplished liar. She constantly blames the children for things she’s done. She cows her employers. Poor Mrs. Banks remarked, “she makes me feel small and silly.” In this sequel P.L. Travers offers more of the same, variations on a theme. Instead of Uncle Albert, Mary has a cousin named Mr. Turvy, who spends some of his days on his head. And this is also contagious. In the first book Michael has a Bad Tuesday. In this book Jane has a Bad Wednesday. The first book had a bird woman; this one has a balloon woman. But best of all, Mary Poppins comes face to face with a governess even worse than she is. A governess who scolds her, “you cruel, disrespectful, unkind, wicked, willful girl—how could you, how could you!?” Mary Poppins could and she does just what she pleases, no matter the affect on her young charges. ‘Michael shrank back in terror from her wild darting eyes.’ Mary Poppins is a force to be reckoned with. Sadly, the best parts of this book are those rare occasions when she doesn’t appear, when it’s just the children having an adventure. I’m all for the fun, but the disturbing behavior of a person in charge of children is more than a little disconcerting. Was this a standard practice for the British, to abandon their children to any brute who comes along? In her own words: “a nice life I’d have if I spent all my days with you!”

A gift for a ballet recital.

genial para describir a los niños y introducir cultura a los infanntes que apenas se están interesando por la lecctura

Love love love this book just perfect for my pastel kitchen

Excellent choice for anyone who likes the Mary Poppins books. Beautiful, colorful illustrations and easy to follow recipes.

Me había sido imposible encontrarlo en las tiendas, está muy bonito el diseño y el contenido es una joya me encantó

Excelente libro, totalmente de colección . Incluye varias historias. Esta en inglés pero es de facil lectura. Recomemdable para fans de mary poppins.