I read Mary Poppins in anticipation of the new Disney movie "Saving Mr. Banks." I have seen the movie version of Mary Poppins more times than I can count. It was not only one of my mother's favorite Disney films, it was one of my girls, so I've watched it a lot over the years. I had not, however, ever read the book, and did so, as I often do, to make sure that I knew the real story before watching the film adaptation.
All I can say about the story is that reading Mary Poppins does not give you enough of the story to compare anything to anything. Clearly, I needed to have read all of the Mary Poppins books, and there are several. Disney must have taken them all and rolled them into one story when they created their movie. Mr. Banks really isn't even mentioned in the first book and he is clearly the focus of the movie.
Aside from that fact, and that there are actually four Banks' children (Jane, Michael, Barbara and John--a set of infant twins), the book is quite different from the film and it is no wonder that it took Mrs. Travers 20 years to agree to a movie.
I read the book also hoping that I could read it to my KG students. I am not sure that children in 2014 would understand it. There's just too much imagination involved.
I will admit that I have no plans to read the remaining Mary Poppins's books. I find that I like her movie character much more than her literary one.
Happy reading everyone!
:) Dodie
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