What do you think?
Rate this book
Mary Poppins
Based on the original 1934 novel by P. L. Travers with beautiful illustrations by Genevieve Godbout, this collectable picture book is sure to become a favorite of Mary Poppins fans old and new.
When the East Wind blows Mary Poppins over Cherry Tree Lane and into the lives of the Banks children, nothing is ever the same! This picture book adaptation of the original novel is full of Mary's unique brand of whimsical adventure: There's a tea party on the ceiling, a visit to the night zoo, and a trip to a mysterious shop that sells stars. Told in a lyrical text with fresh yet timeless art by Genevieve Godbout, this version of Mary Poppins is perfect for reading aloud. Young and old, longtime friends of Mary, and those meeting her for the first time, will revel in this colorfully illustrated version of the story that inspired the image of the beloved nanny of page, stage, and screen.
When the East Wind blows Mary Poppins over Cherry Tree Lane and into the lives of the Banks children, nothing is ever the same! This picture book adaptation of the original novel is full of Mary's unique brand of whimsical adventure: There's a tea party on the ceiling, a visit to the night zoo, and a trip to a mysterious shop that sells stars. Told in a lyrical text with fresh yet timeless art by Genevieve Godbout, this version of Mary Poppins is perfect for reading aloud. Young and old, longtime friends of Mary, and those meeting her for the first time, will revel in this colorfully illustrated version of the story that inspired the image of the beloved nanny of page, stage, and screen.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2018
8 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
March 21, 2019
RATING: 4.5 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)
I love Genevieve Godbut's art so will read any picture book using her illustrations, but was so happy to see her do one of my favourite stories, Mary Poppins. As usual her illustrations are gorgeous, and Amy Novesky's adaption captures the love and magic of a classic story.
(Review Not on Blog)
I love Genevieve Godbut's art so will read any picture book using her illustrations, but was so happy to see her do one of my favourite stories, Mary Poppins. As usual her illustrations are gorgeous, and Amy Novesky's adaption captures the love and magic of a classic story.
January 3, 2019
What a timeless classic. Damn, does this one ever make you feel old, time flies and scary that it's been 48 years that my Mom and Dad read this one to me. Couldn't pass up the chance to read it when I saw it at Walmart, while getting Brad Taylor's new release 'Operator Down'(Pike Logan #12).
July 20, 2019
Love Mary Poppins forever!
Again Godbout does not disappoint with gorgeous and whimsical illustrations!
Again Godbout does not disappoint with gorgeous and whimsical illustrations!
May 29, 2020
The pictures are lovely and are the best part of this book. The story's retelling seems oversimplified and scattered. I was hoping to like this better than the original, but really I just love the pictures, and that is all.
Note: there is a part where a bear tells the children, "We are all made of the same stuff. Bird and beast, star and stone--we are all one."
Note: there is a part where a bear tells the children, "We are all made of the same stuff. Bird and beast, star and stone--we are all one."
September 6, 2024
The illustrations are adorable!
November 8, 2022
Not the most true adaptation, as it leaves a lot out even for a picture book version, but the illustrations are so lovely! For everyone's information, I'm not the largest fan of the original Mary Poppins, so take that how you will.
November 1, 2025
This was such a cute adaption of Mary Poppins. Fabulous illustrations and fun story.
September 20, 2018
First sentence: If you are looking for Number Seventeen Cherry Tree Lane--and it is likely that you are, for this book is all about this particular house--you'll find it.
Premise/plot: This book is a picture book adaptation of the novel. It is beautifully illustrated by Genevieve Godbout. Amy Novesky, the adapter, has selected a few scenes from the novel to share with young readers. These scenes may or may not be what you expect. (There's no kite-flying, for example. Nor jumping into sidewalk pictures. The match-man is simply the 'match-man' and not BERT.) The children do visit Mr. Wigg and have a tea party on the ceiling, visit a special bakery with gold stars, and visit the zoo at night.
My thoughts: I really enjoyed the illustrations. I thought they were WONDERFUL.
I'm not sure how I feel about the adaptation of the narrative. Perhaps because I've read Mary Poppins several times and I can't imagine leaving out a single scene--or character. Perhaps because it feels a bit rushed.
For example, in this picture book Mary Poppins just shows up. Readers are not told the family was looking for a nanny. There were no advertisements placed. She is just THERE. She moves in without a single person questioning who she is and why she's there. Which brings something else to mind, never once does the picture book mention that this is the BANKS family.
I like the idea of a picture book adaptation. (Though I'd also recommend just reading the original novel aloud to young children. There is something DELIGHTFUL about the novel. Reading novels aloud should be encouraged. One doesn't have to stick with picture books.)
Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10
Premise/plot: This book is a picture book adaptation of the novel. It is beautifully illustrated by Genevieve Godbout. Amy Novesky, the adapter, has selected a few scenes from the novel to share with young readers. These scenes may or may not be what you expect. (There's no kite-flying, for example. Nor jumping into sidewalk pictures. The match-man is simply the 'match-man' and not BERT.) The children do visit Mr. Wigg and have a tea party on the ceiling, visit a special bakery with gold stars, and visit the zoo at night.
My thoughts: I really enjoyed the illustrations. I thought they were WONDERFUL.
I'm not sure how I feel about the adaptation of the narrative. Perhaps because I've read Mary Poppins several times and I can't imagine leaving out a single scene--or character. Perhaps because it feels a bit rushed.
For example, in this picture book Mary Poppins just shows up. Readers are not told the family was looking for a nanny. There were no advertisements placed. She is just THERE. She moves in without a single person questioning who she is and why she's there. Which brings something else to mind, never once does the picture book mention that this is the BANKS family.
I like the idea of a picture book adaptation. (Though I'd also recommend just reading the original novel aloud to young children. There is something DELIGHTFUL about the novel. Reading novels aloud should be encouraged. One doesn't have to stick with picture books.)
Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10
December 17, 2018
I can't believe I'm giving this book two stars, because Genevieve Godbout can do no wrong!! Her illustrations here are rich, beautiful spreads. I absolutely love her work. That said, P.L. Travers (the original Mary Poppins author) is... verbose? This text has been condensed down from the original novels, which may lend to its un-readability. But for this iteration of the Mary Poppins story, I think there's limited coherence and a weak story arc. IMO, they should have hired a different author to adapt the language for a picture book format / younger audience.
(But let me reiterate: Genevieve Godbout gets five stars in my heart, EVERY TIME!)
(But let me reiterate: Genevieve Godbout gets five stars in my heart, EVERY TIME!)
May 31, 2019
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
September 6, 2024
I just watched the original movie for the first time yesterday and found it incredibly stupid and weird. I didn’t get anything out of it besides finding the dad the only good part of the entire story. This book doesn’t capture the story well enough at all, even though the story is vague to begin with.
This story doesn’t work condensed into a 32 page children’s book. It would take more than that to have cohesion. It felt all over the place. I don’t know why there were 4 kids when the twin babies had no part in the story and didn’t come up any more after they were first introduced.
She took all of her many items out of the bag and Michael was already asking if she’d never leave them. That set the tone for the pacing. It was one rando experience after the next. The dog lady was there, they didn’t know if she was asking how they were doing or how she and her dog were doing. Okay, that was important.
The match man drew pictures on the sidewalk on sunny days. They visited her stupid uncle who floated to the ceiling when he laughed. They all took tea up there with him. That scene took up SEVEN pages. The pacing really stalled with that one. Instead of fitting in more adventures, you just draw this stupid tea party out??
Then they went to a bakery that these 3 women worked at and got gingerbread cookies with paper stars on them. That seemed to have no point at all. But that night Mary and the three women were up on tall ladders that reached to the sky painting stars with glue. Okayyy. Super weird and super unexplained.
Michael wondered what happened to animals at zoos at night and then they followed a voice down the street and ended up at a zoo where a bear in a coat told them birds and beasts and stars and stones are all made of the same thing. Just what??
Then a different wind was blowing the weathervane and she was gone out the window, blowing away again. She said au revour which means to meet again.
There also weren’t any distant parents neglecting the kids. Which was the whole point of the story. So there was no reason at all for her to be there in here.
I just don’t like this story at all and clearly nothing can redeem it. I just don’t get it. And it really didn’t work in this format.
This story doesn’t work condensed into a 32 page children’s book. It would take more than that to have cohesion. It felt all over the place. I don’t know why there were 4 kids when the twin babies had no part in the story and didn’t come up any more after they were first introduced.
She took all of her many items out of the bag and Michael was already asking if she’d never leave them. That set the tone for the pacing. It was one rando experience after the next. The dog lady was there, they didn’t know if she was asking how they were doing or how she and her dog were doing. Okay, that was important.
The match man drew pictures on the sidewalk on sunny days. They visited her stupid uncle who floated to the ceiling when he laughed. They all took tea up there with him. That scene took up SEVEN pages. The pacing really stalled with that one. Instead of fitting in more adventures, you just draw this stupid tea party out??
Then they went to a bakery that these 3 women worked at and got gingerbread cookies with paper stars on them. That seemed to have no point at all. But that night Mary and the three women were up on tall ladders that reached to the sky painting stars with glue. Okayyy. Super weird and super unexplained.
Michael wondered what happened to animals at zoos at night and then they followed a voice down the street and ended up at a zoo where a bear in a coat told them birds and beasts and stars and stones are all made of the same thing. Just what??
Then a different wind was blowing the weathervane and she was gone out the window, blowing away again. She said au revour which means to meet again.
There also weren’t any distant parents neglecting the kids. Which was the whole point of the story. So there was no reason at all for her to be there in here.
I just don’t like this story at all and clearly nothing can redeem it. I just don’t get it. And it really didn’t work in this format.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2024
“We are all made of the same stuff. Bird and beast, star and stone - we are all one.“
Mary Poppins written by P.L. Travers, adapted by Amy Novesky, and illustrated by Guinevere Godbout, will have you exclaiming, “Strike me pink”. This classic tale has been adapted into a charming picture book. One evening when Jane and Michael’s nanny leaves, the mysterious and magical Mary Poppins blows in with her umbrella and bag of treasures- perfect for putting the children to bed. The children find Mary Poppins’s presence to be fun and whimsical and full of delightful surprises. I’m sure readers will find this picture book adaptation to be just as delightful! Lovely illustrations were created with soft pastel and colored pencils, in double page spreads. Mary Poppins will be the perfect addition to any picture book or classics collection. Read aloud to any age group. Highly recommended.
Mary Poppins written by P.L. Travers, adapted by Amy Novesky, and illustrated by Guinevere Godbout, will have you exclaiming, “Strike me pink”. This classic tale has been adapted into a charming picture book. One evening when Jane and Michael’s nanny leaves, the mysterious and magical Mary Poppins blows in with her umbrella and bag of treasures- perfect for putting the children to bed. The children find Mary Poppins’s presence to be fun and whimsical and full of delightful surprises. I’m sure readers will find this picture book adaptation to be just as delightful! Lovely illustrations were created with soft pastel and colored pencils, in double page spreads. Mary Poppins will be the perfect addition to any picture book or classics collection. Read aloud to any age group. Highly recommended.
January 28, 2022
This cute picture book illustrated by Genevieve Godbout tells P.L. Traver’s story of the famous Mary Poppins. This story is of course a classic that follows the tale of Mary Poppins, a magical and fun nanny who takes care of the Banks children. This story is full of creativity and beautiful imagery to go along with a heartwarming story. I adore this book’s images and coloring. The bright colors perfectly compliment the story's uplifting tone and energy. I would use this book in a classroom setting when comparing books to movies. I think that this version of Mary Poppins brings to life the character in such a precious and intriguing way. I would love for my students to compare and contrast the story in the book to the one in the Disney movie.
December 23, 2021
I bought this lovely picture book for our granddaughter for Christmas this year - and I’m praying we get to see her!
It’s sweet, and the illustrators are beautiful. I don’t think she’s seen the movie yet but I would live to watch it with her if her attention span permits, and then read it together.
Praying for COVID to get out of the way and let us be together….
It’s more faithful to the book than to the movie, which is as it ought to be. But Mary Poppins is not as callous as she often seems to be in the full books.
It’s sweet, and the illustrators are beautiful. I don’t think she’s seen the movie yet but I would live to watch it with her if her attention span permits, and then read it together.
Praying for COVID to get out of the way and let us be together….
It’s more faithful to the book than to the movie, which is as it ought to be. But Mary Poppins is not as callous as she often seems to be in the full books.
February 3, 2026
This book is beautiful. The narrative alone was enjoyable, and still was enhanced through colorful and quirky illustrations. I love the imagery of the wind and the way it symbolizes growth and time. After Jane and Michael ask if she will ever leave them, Mary Poppins responds, "I'll stay till the wind changes." Although the story felt somewhat rushed, the depth of this book is sweet and peaceful. It reassured me that when I feel lost or without a plan, things will always work out because Jesus looks after me and shows up for me whenever I need him.
February 2, 2023
An early introduction to Mary Poppins - the book, not the illustrious Disney Mary we know and love. The illustrations are whimsical and vibrant.
Since it is composed of pieces of the original, it does read a bit choppy. But the magic and fun are still present and Mary herself seems a bit more loving that the OG portrayed by Travers.
* Matte pages! I will always get excited about this style of printing.
Since it is composed of pieces of the original, it does read a bit choppy. But the magic and fun are still present and Mary herself seems a bit more loving that the OG portrayed by Travers.
* Matte pages! I will always get excited about this style of printing.
March 15, 2021
Traditional Literature
4th-6th grade
When I read this book, I enjoyed the story behind it and how some students can connect to it. Maybe they have had a nanny or babysitter that did fun things with them as well. I think how to book portrays things that might be a disappointment but turns out to be enjoyable.
4th-6th grade
When I read this book, I enjoyed the story behind it and how some students can connect to it. Maybe they have had a nanny or babysitter that did fun things with them as well. I think how to book portrays things that might be a disappointment but turns out to be enjoyable.
Read
February 27, 2022Most kids have heard of Mary Poppins but the actual books may be above some of their reading levels. A picture book like this can pique their interest in the story behind the ever-popular movie. The illustrations are gorgeous and add a youthful and engaging touch to the story that some kids may feel is outdated in the current world.
August 13, 2024
A really cute short illustrated telling of Mary Poppins focuses on the first book. It includes them going to Mary's Uncle and laughing on the ceiling and Jane and Micheal getting ginger bread with golden stars and them visiting the zoo at night. The illustrations are very soft playful and the characters are smiling in a lot of the pages.
June 18, 2022
A nice adaptation of the original. I found the storytelling abrupt, and some of the transitions were a bit muddled. It did not flow well. What really caught my attention was the beautiful illustrations.
December 3, 2022
Having only seen the movie, I realize now how much I'm missing from the story. This gorgeously illustrated condensed version of the classic makes me want to check out the original books. It's just right as an introduction.
January 30, 2025
An adapted version of P.L. Travers novel about a caregiver/nanny/witch who arrives at #17 Cherry Tree Lane, on the gale of the East wind, to care for the four Banks children. Whimsical and magical, this familiar yet shortened version of the tale will delight the reader.
April 24, 2020
Fiction
Grades 2-5
This is a little spin on the classic book that we know as Mary Poppins. We see the basic story that we all know and love but with a few new twist. This book will always be a good one to read and allow some kids to live out some of their dreams and bring magic to their lives.
Grades 2-5
This is a little spin on the classic book that we know as Mary Poppins. We see the basic story that we all know and love but with a few new twist. This book will always be a good one to read and allow some kids to live out some of their dreams and bring magic to their lives.
August 24, 2020
Good picture book sum up of the original tale.
May 25, 2021
They took out all the parts from the book of Mary Poppins acting questionably. It's an insanely abbreviated version of the book.
June 17, 2021
I liked that this picture book was based on the original novel and NOT on the Disney movie.
September 21, 2021
I am absolutely obsessed with this illustrator's work.
October 7, 2021
I enjoyed this version of the book but I am not sure how well my students will like it. They may have a hard time understanding the story.
December 9, 2021
Good for encouraging imaginative thinking. The students should be able to incorporate creativity into their assignments.
June 20, 2022
It was good
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews