Mary Poppins

Travers, P.L. Mary Poppins. 1936.

Plot: Jane, Michael, Barbara, and John Banks need a new nanny after Katie Nana abruptly leaves without explanation. Equally unexpectedly, a new nanny quite literally blows into the household. Her presence creates a stir with the children, and, despite her odd appearance and demeanor, she quickly receives their favor. Her free day is spent within the chalk drawing of her friend, Bert, but her days with the children begin to fill with unexpected adventure. They travel across the world in a matter of minutes with a magical compass, meet a star, enjoy a birthday at the zoo, and have a tea party on the ceiling. However, over all their adventures looms a threat. Their new nanny will only stay until the wind changes.

Genre: Fantasy

Reading Level: Grades 4-7

Similar Titles: Secret of Platform 13, Enchanted Glass, Nurse Matilda

Personal Thoughts: The book is surprisingly popular. While the adventures are exciting, many of the more famous ones, such as the ceiling tea party, seem less intriguing than the zoo story. However, none of the adventures really cover the novel's major flaw.

None of the characters are likable. The parents serve a virtually non-existent roll. The children act as blank caricatures, with no real personality, growth, or development. Mary Poppins herself enjoys unexplained popularity with her charges and employers. She is shown as vain, aloof, and mean. Yet, the children are shattered when she leaves for reasons they never bother to explain. At the time of the novel, adventure could compensate for poor characters. However, in a world with Harry Potter, Coraline Jones, Baudelaire children, and Katniss Everdee, novels need to provide larger-than-life protagonists to match the tales.

Some side notes:

- The original novel had racist aspects during the compass adventure. Fortunately, Travers was able and willing to change the novel and eliminate the racism.
- Seven additional titles followed the first novel.
- Most people experience Mary Poppins through the Disney musical. The movie portrays the nanny as a much nicer, prettier, and appealing person, apparently to Travers' chagrin.