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shorty_320's review against another edition
4.0
Highly enjoyable! Love how the Mary Poppins in the stories is so drastically different than the Mary Poppins that everyone is familiar with from the film and stage production! Plan to pick up the next in the series so that I can continue going on adventures with Mary and the Banks' clan!
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Audiobook performed by Sophie Thompson
From the book jacket: Pulled down from the clouds at the end of a kite string, Mary Poppins is here again to take the Banks children in hand, leading them from one head-spinning adventure to another.
My reactions
Oh, My! I read these books when I was about nine or ten years old. My best friend and I would share the books back and forth, spending countless hours at recess and over lunch talking about Mary Poppins, the Banks children and their fantastical adventures. There were only four books in the series at that time, and I think we read each of them three or four times. This was before the Disney movie adaptation, which we eventually saw and loved, though we recognized the differences and were a little disappointed that some of our favorite adventures were missing.
I re-read the first book when my first niece was about six (she’s 19 now), thinking I might want to give her the series. I was struck by how mean and unpleasant Mary Poppins was – definitely not the lovable nanny of my memory!
I had no such reaction this time, although Mary Poppins is certainly a stern taskmaster at times, not to mention vain. But I just loved the adventures she and the children had! Who would not smile at Mr Turvy, the Balloon Woman, or the trip to the Constellations?!
Sophie Thompson does a marvelous job narrating the audio version. Like many children’s books, this one lends itself easily to being read aloud. Thompson has great pacing, and a gift for voices that really helps to bring these characters to life.
From the book jacket: Pulled down from the clouds at the end of a kite string, Mary Poppins is here again to take the Banks children in hand, leading them from one head-spinning adventure to another.
My reactions
Oh, My! I read these books when I was about nine or ten years old. My best friend and I would share the books back and forth, spending countless hours at recess and over lunch talking about Mary Poppins, the Banks children and their fantastical adventures. There were only four books in the series at that time, and I think we read each of them three or four times. This was before the Disney movie adaptation, which we eventually saw and loved, though we recognized the differences and were a little disappointed that some of our favorite adventures were missing.
I re-read the first book when my first niece was about six (she’s 19 now), thinking I might want to give her the series. I was struck by how mean and unpleasant Mary Poppins was – definitely not the lovable nanny of my memory!
I had no such reaction this time, although Mary Poppins is certainly a stern taskmaster at times, not to mention vain. But I just loved the adventures she and the children had! Who would not smile at Mr Turvy, the Balloon Woman, or the trip to the Constellations?!
Sophie Thompson does a marvelous job narrating the audio version. Like many children’s books, this one lends itself easily to being read aloud. Thompson has great pacing, and a gift for voices that really helps to bring these characters to life.
heidi_mcj's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't care too much for this book. Mary Poppins is not a particularly nice person.
lyssidee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jokerliss13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
steph12345's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mschrock8's review against another edition
2.0
So far, my favorite part has been learning the term "Catherine wheel." Mary Poppins is magic.
the_enobee's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this more than Mary Poppins. Travers ups her game by going even more cosmic and exploring the human need to attach underlying meaning to surface experience. Mary Poppins is a strict nanny, but the children love her because she is there and free of whimsy and inattention when it comes to their care. She's a pro, and the only one the Banks children have known. Mary's origin story would be something to behold, I am sure. I still get teary-eyed every time she leaves...
artcish's review against another edition
I am unsure how to rate this book. I am by no means a P.L. Travers purist in her vision of Mary Poppins having grown up and loved Disney’s adaptations. But enjoyed the collection of stories in this book with exception of one or two.
If you have seen either of Disney’s films you will recognize characters and dialog from this book. Having read the first one a long time ago I was pleasantly surprised at how much Disney’s second film derived from the stories in its namesake.
If you have seen either of Disney’s films you will recognize characters and dialog from this book. Having read the first one a long time ago I was pleasantly surprised at how much Disney’s second film derived from the stories in its namesake.