From the Bookshelf of Never too Late to Read Classics…

Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins, #1)

P.L. Travers

Start date: June 1, 2017

Finish date: June 30, 2017

Discussion: Children's Classics Buddy Reads

Discussion leader: Robin

Why we're reading this: YA Classic
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What Members Thought

Jan 05, 2019 Pamela(AllHoney) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: books-to-movies, 1st-in-series, children-fiction-young-adult, quirky-unconventional

The first book in the Mary Poppins series by P.L. Travers. The Banks need a nanny and so one appears from the sky.

I absolutely love the movie made by Disney back in the 60s. And, since I was getting ready to go see the new Mary Poppins Returns, it made sense to check out the book. Well, the first one anyway. Obviously there are differences in the movie and books and I think I really preferred the movie version. But the book was delightful and entertaining. It is written in a way that children ca ...more

8 likes · Like · see review

Dec 21, 2018 Jim Townsend rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is a great children's story about a nanny who doesn't believe in references but who is very magical and very strict. When P.L. Travers (1899-1996) saw the Disney movie, with its dancing penguins (not in the book), she wept in the theater. ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jul 16, 2020 Kelly_Hunsaker_reads ... rated it really liked it

Shelves: childrens, adventure, classics, middle-grade, read-in-2020, fantasy

I went into this book thinking I knew what to expect thanks to my childhood favorite movie starring Julie Andrews. And I was completely surprised to find that this Mary Poppins is ill-tempered, priggish, grumpy and very strict. The magical elements are there, and the writing is witty and entertaining, but Mary herself isn't nearly as likable as the movie version. In this case, I actually like the movie better. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 21, 2014 Karen rated it liked it

I realized when I saw the movie "Saving Mr. Banks" that I had never read the book. Mary Poppins came across to me as rather narcissistic in this first book. ...more

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Mar 09, 2008 Becca rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, middle-reader

Cute book!

I can see why they left a lot out of the movie. Julie Andrews encompasses Mary ever so well--she is very true to the character in the book.

Mary captures your heart and makes you wish that maybe you had a nanny like her, too. The chalk drawing chapter in this book is my favourite. I came away from it smiling and sighing––it was such a lovely image.

Seemed somewhat 'long' in parts, but overall it was great. ...more

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Jun 01, 2014 Cassie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-alouds-to-the-children

Odd... kids didn't care for this one a lot and were glad when it was over, but I appreciated it and enjoyed comparing the novel, film, and stage production. ...more

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