I came into this with preconceptions formed from the movie as a child. Needless to say, this was very much not what I was expecting. Instead of the beautiful, kind, and serene Julie Andrews, you have a vain, sarcastic, almost rude and less than attractive, Mary Poppins. While entertaining, I think this is one case where I prefer the movie. ( )

Mary Poppins is a classical modern fantasy book because it is fun and interesting to read. Children might relate to the story or gain new perspective of the story through their creative imagination. This book is great for elementary children when wanting to create an activity related to the book. ( )

The literary Mary Poppins is quite unlike the movie Mary Poppins. For one, she's not nice. For two, she has no mission to improve the children or their relationship with their parents. And, finally, the movie version hints at Marry Poppins' vanity and mysteriousness, but in the book Mary Poppins is much more vain and mysterious.

Even though it's got some sharp edges, the book is completely wonderful. It's more like a series of short stories than a novel. There are adventures in the zoo at night, a look at where stars come from and how babies can hear the wind and the birds and the sun talking. Mary Poppins is magical in a completely befuddling way. What is she? Where did she come from? Why do magical things always happen when someone's birthday falls on a full moon? There are no answers. Instead you're left wondering and musing, just like Jane and Michael.

The audio book narrator was very, very good as well. This would be a great choice for a family with young children (ages 4 or 5 and up) to listen to together. It would also make a great bedtime read aloud. ( )

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?

I've said before that Mary Poppins is one of favorite Disney films so when I saw the book at my local library I immediately picked it up despite being an adult and it being a children's book.

If you thought book Mary Poppins is anything like Movie Mary Poppins you would be mistaken. The first thing I thought when reading this 'Why the hell is she a nanny, she acts like she hates kids'. She is constantly pursing her lips in agitation, scorning them for asking questions, and then refusing to answer said questions. It may be all Julie Andrews fault, she has this way of looking at you with a twinkle in her eye that just makes you feel warm and cared for.

One thing I will say about book Mary is that she does have the mysterious whimsy that was captured on screen and in the book Mary and the kids go on many more adventures and see so many fun things. It seems like as long as you are full of imagination you can do, see and go anywhere. Despite Mary's weird demeanor it was a pleasant read, one I can see a parent reading to their kids at night before bed. ( )