Mary Poppins in Cherry Tree Lane

Mary Poppins #5

by P.L. Travers

Mary Poppins takes her charges to the Herb Garden in a park in London for a night of magic on Midsummer's Eve.

Genres: Classics, Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Audiobook, Young Adult

90 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Pamela Lyndon Travers was an Australian novelist, actress and journalist, popularly remembered for her series of children's novels about mystical nanny Mary Poppins.
She was born to bank manager Travers Robert Goff and Margaret Agnes. Her father died when she was seven, and although "epileptic seizure delirium" was given as the cause of death, Travers herself "always believed the underlying cause was sustained, heavy drinking".
Travers began to publish her poems while still a teenager and wrote for The Bulletin and Triad while also gaining a reputation as an actress. She toured Australia and New Zealand with a Shakespearean touring company before leaving for England in 1924. There she dedicated herself to writing under the pen name P. L. Travers.
In 1925 while in Ireland, Travers met the poet George William Russell who, as editor of The Irish Statesman, accepted some of her poems for publication. Through Russell, Travers met William Butler Yeats and other Irish poets who fostered her interest in and knowledge of world mythology. Later, the mystic Gurdjieff would have a great effect on her, as would also have on several other literary figures.
The 1934 publication of Mary Poppins was Travers' first literary success.Five sequels followed, as well as a collection of other novels, poetry collections and works of non-fiction.
The Disney musical adaptation was released in 1964. Primarily based on the first novel in what was then a sequence of four books, it also lifted elements from the sequel Mary Poppins Comes Back. Although Travers was an adviser to the production she disapproved of the dilution of the harsher aspects of Mary Poppins's character, felt ambivalent about the music and disliked the use of animation to such an extent that she ruled out any further adaptations of the later Mary Poppins novels. At the film's star-studded premiere, she reportedly approached Disney and told him that the animated sequence had to go. Disney responded by saying "Pamela, the ship has sailed." and walked away. Travers would never again agree to another Poppins/Disney adaptation, though Disney made several attempts to persuade her to change her mind.
So fervent was Travers' dislike of the Walt Disney adaptation and the way she felt she had been treated during the production, that well into her 90s, when she was approached by producer Cameron Mackintosh to do the stage musical, she only acquiesced upon the condition that only English born writers (and specifically no Americans) and no one from the film production were to be directly involved with the creative process of the stage musical. This specifically excluded the Sherman Brothers from writing additional songs for the production even though they were still very prolific. Original songs and other aspects from the 1964 film were allowed to be incorporated into the production however. These points were stipulated in her last will and testament.
Travers was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1977. She died in London in 1996.
Although Travers never married, she adopted a boy when she was in her late 30s.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

We have loved all the Mary Poppins books so far, so we were really surprised not to enjoy this one. The story is set around a single episode and it felt more like a long chapter. It is midsummer eve and Mary Poppins takes Jane and Michael for a supper picnic in the park. There are many pages at the start where the park keeper tells people to mind the bylaws, stick to the park rules etc. that really went on, to the point were my daughter asked to stop reading and I finished the story alone. There was some magic, some mentions of songs which I like and references to herbs with a list of herbs at the end with their botanical and country names, but the story felt disjointed.

[Edita · Rating 5 out of 5]

The enchanting adventures of beloved nanny Mary Poppins. A nostalgic and heartwarming book that enchanted my childhood.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this one was my favorite of all the "new" Mary Poppins story. I love that "Everything has to be somewhere". Just delightful.

[Shirley Eiswerth (Quackenbush) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This didn’t feel like it had all the normal magic of Mary Poppins… just nice to hear more about their lives but wasn’t like the rest.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another hilarious and whimsical story in the Mary Poppins series! I love the clever dialogue and imaginative plot. Mary Poppins is perfection, and when magical things begin to happen, she always keeps an elegant and calm disposition.

I was surprised to find some of this story told from the Park Keeper’s perspective. He’s such a funny old character, but he and Mary Poppins never get along.
He criticizes Mary Poppins for taking the children into the Park for a late picnic on Midsummer Nights Eve, and gets dragged into one of their magical adventures with the Banks children.

A lovely book and a fun one to read in the summer!

[Fernanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great and full of magic, as always

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to do just one review for the entire Mary Poppins series, and copy it to all of the these as I listened to them, one right-after-another, and they are rather blurred together as one lovely, entertaining, and altogether delightful story.

I'm not sure why I'd not read these before now! You'd think, working in a library- and having read aloud to my daughter every night for years, that somehow I would have hit upon the Mary Poppins books to read-and I truly, truly wish I had!! Because we would have enjoyed the heck out of them! Despite having been written years ago, the language is not antiquated, they are quite funny and they don't feel as dated as I would have thought they would! It is obvious they are set in a world that is a bit outside the world we are living in (the children have a nanny, their parents don't interact with them in the way that children's parent's today do, they have a maid, etc...) but still, as a story set in a fantasy world of sorts, (the things Mary can do are obviously quite fantastic...) it holds up quite well and is good fun and is definitely would make any child long for Mary as their babysitter/nanny.

If you haven't read the books, and have only seen the film, do read them. The books and the film are really not the same. While reading the books there are definitely moments that I recognized that Mr. Disney took from the books for the film... but I can see why Ms. Travers was so irate as her Mary Poppins was very different than the film version... but still, perfect in every way. :)

Definitely recommended for any age.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Mary Poppins and a little magic on a Midsummer's Night. I thought this was fun, delightful, and certainly brought back some fond memories of the movie. Mary Poppins is one of those characters whose demeanor is unrealistically upbeat and positive, never having a bad moment, or so it seems.

Mary Poppins takes the reader on trips to mythical places and magical moments as the reader journeys with her to learn about the Man-in-the-Moon. I (the reader) mustered up empathy for him because it's hard to imagine that one might not be able to take something to help obtain coveted sleep, but Man-in-the-Moon can't. Remember how Mary Poppin's taught us all, "Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down"? Well, she continues to take us to such magical places in this cute story.

While I love characters that are realistic and make me fall in love with their realism, Mary Poppins is a bit too far-fetched to be realistic for me. But I can't help to love her and find her to be positive and uplifting nonetheless.

[File de Poveste · Rating 2 out of 5]

Această carte mi-a plăcut foarte mult, acțiunea a fost foarte interesantă. O recomand tuturor, în special copiilor.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written decades after the original Mary Poppins book, this one feels like Travers was forcing out a few last books, either to get more money or to try to prove she could still do it. This is a charming story, but the fact that the first few Poppins books had so many crazy characters, and then the last few books have those same characters feels like Travers couldn't think of anyone new.

But this IS a charming story, albeit much shorter than the others. Listening to it as an audiobook, it's the perfect length: a cute story, read well, a lovely way to spend a rainy spring morning with the window open :)

The story takes place over a few hours, with Mary Poppins, the Banks children, the Park Keeper, and a few favorite friends from the previous books all enjoying a Midsummer Eve's evening picnic. I love that it actually focuses more on the Park Keeper (who calls Mary "uppity"! but not to her face!!) and the celestial friends than it does on Mary, and the Park Keeper rediscovering magic, or that magical feeling.

I also like that the theme of stargazing and Mr. Banks, in place of Travers' father, appears again. I like that theme because 1: it's endearing that Travers keeps putting that little nod to her father into her books (sub-point 1, then: that she has good memories of her father, despite the fact that she didn't have the greatest childhood), and 2: Mr. Banks in the books has a much more lovable personality in the books than he does in the movie, especially when he's expressing his admiration for the stars.

Since it's a very charming story -- and hardly focuses on Mary Poppins at all -- I'm giving this 4 stars. It gave me warm fuzzies.

[Analeise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was slightly better though

[Katelyn Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best of all the Mary Poppins books, but you have to read all of them to understand this one.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lesser book written later. There isn't much here. It kind of feels like an attempt a victory lap. Or milking a previous victory. Kind of like a direct-to-video Disney animated sequel. There's a bunch of words and names of characters. But there is no story. And everything seems garbled and off. Readable but only just.

[Annie Jarman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a single story instead of a collection and I didn’t like it as much.

[JB Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could be considered a short novella. The whole story takes place on the one night of Midsummer Night's Eve in the Park across from #17 Cherry Tree Lane (the Banks' home). In a unique turn, we spend a lot of time in the point of view of other characters - besides Jane and Michael - who are observing Mary Poppins and the strange change that comes over the Park on Midsummer Night's Eve. I did miss that this edition didn't have more illustrations in it. Just a "chapter" header although there were no chapters.

Despite other criticism that this isn't really a full story and that Mary Poppins and the Banks children aren't the focus, I think this was a well-done addition to the Mary Poppins series. Once again, we see a whole host of the side characters we've come to meet in earlier books, as they all visit the Park on this magical evening.

A true gem, was the continuation of what happened to a certain pirate hat after it took a surprising turn in one of the earlier books. Seeing that continuity really helped to weave this story securely into the fabric that is this classic children's tale. If you enjoy the whole "world" of Cherry Tree Lane and the Park, I think you'll find this additional right up your alley.

["Greg Adkins" · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first three Mary Poppins books are delightful, inventive, and warm. The next two, not so much. They feel obligatory, tired — like P.L. Travers were rounding out an ill-advised contract instead of revisiting a cherished friend. It shows in the non-existent framing narrative, where Travers shrugs and says the stories in the later books “happened during any of the three visits of Mary Poppins to the Banks family.” It shows also in the fact that “Mary Poppins in Cherry Tree Lane” is rarely included in any of the omnibus editions of the books, and isn’t even available in ebook format (at least in the United States).

If you have fond memories of the Mary Poppins books and are delighted to discover there’s one more you haven’t read, move along — there’s nothing worthwhile for you here. If you’ve never read Mary Poppins, trust me: stop at the third book, “Mary Poppins Opens the Door.” It gives the old girl a splendid sendoff, and everything that comes after will only spoil the bittersweet taste her absence leaves behind.

[Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a hint of finality to this book, yet you also realize, much like Peter Pan's, that the story of Mary Poppins could never end. I think that is the true magic of any good children's books, to realize that the story can continue on and on as long as hope and joy resides in your heart. Now, the Mary Poppins character is not exactly what I was expecting, nonetheless I became more and more interested in her and all the other characters as the series progressed. This book feels a bit like it was just to satisfy some fans, but it was still very cute and possibly does more to understand Mary Poppins than any other book in the series. Will I read this series again? Sometime down the road probably. Would I recommend the series to others? Yes, but with some warnings, especially if they've already seen any of the Disney movies associated with it.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, this one breaks from the Mary Poppins tradition slightly, in that it is only made up of one story rather than being a selection of five or six separate stories.

Which is most interesting.

This one takes place on a Midsummer’s Day, where everything is the opposite of what it normally is, and where anything can happen.

What’s nice about these stories is that the fantastical elements are actually quite well written so they don’t come across as forced or anything like that, and you can suspend your disbelief to see the story to the end. And all of the stories are really sweet and just lovely to read.

[Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars
Underwhelming. Travers was obviously using scraps of ideas from her first 3 books--the "star people", people in the park at night, that tiresome park keeper (no capitals for you!) and Mr Banks' obsession with a new star. 9 years had passed between the release of Mary Poppins in the Park and this title, giving me the impression that either she needed money or someone encouraged her to cash in on the same old ideas.

[Katy Wheatley · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the final two short novellas that finish the Mary Poppins sequence, this is often published alongside its companion, Mary Poppins and the House Next Door. In this story, Mary and the children celebrate midsummer's eve in the park and normal rules are suspended, much to the park keeper's disgust. This is full of mythical and astronomical references and clearly a distillation of Travers' own eclectic and esoteric beliefs. It's quite fun and sits squarely in Mary Poppins in the Park in terms of timeline.

[Tabitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This was written and illustrated in the 80s, and while it's still utterly enchanting, it doesn't capture the same atmosphere as the previous books QUITE as much. Still, it was perfect to read yesterday on Midsummer Day and gave me many happy dreams. I will also never look at the summer constellations the same way, and would like to spend some time getting to know them better.
I wish I had read it Midsummer's Eve, but somehow I got my days off track. Maybe next year. :)

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read filled with lots of silliness.

This is the first Mary Poppins book I have read.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. There is not so much in the form of traditional plot, more of a rolling story, but it was entertaining nonetheless. Some magic, some silliness, and lots of nonsensical talk.

Creative and imaginative work.

For more reviews, check out my blog Craft Cycle

[Sarah Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed how this was actually all one story instead of a bunch of little stories in one book. I feel like all of the other books to this book is just a series of one story per chapter making a book. This one (though more of a novella) once actually one whole story.

And Mary Poppins seems more easy going with the kids now than she used to be. She seems not to make them question everything they experience.

[maryam :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I’ve heard a lot of people talking down on this book but truthfully this was a walk down memory lane and for that I’m appreciative. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to anyone but it was an opportunity for me to revisit some of those childhood experiences. Best read at night in a cozy nook with a cup of tea ( yes I sound like a Facebook mum and no I’m not fussed )
Yeah so read at your own discretion I guess

[Theo Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my opinion it is a kinda good book. I've read it for school and this is the only book in the series that I have read. It is a little too tiny for myself, but I liked it. I am 12 so this is probably the reason why I would like it to be thicker but it's okay. I recommend it for kids between 6 and 10. Hope I get the rest of the series soon, so I can see Mary Poppins' other adventures :)

[Ena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is self contained. Amazing! First in the series. This adventure takes place all on Midsummer Eve when the stars are like to visit and an evening picnic is in order.
I like this one though having the park keeper’s perspective lead the story halfway then the standard style take over and finish the story was an odd choice. It made the beginning of the story less interesting.

[Robert (NurseBob) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a book but rather a 40-page short story. Poppins takes the Banks children on a "dinner picnic" to the park and apparently she packed some cannabis edibles and magic mushrooms in with the hard boiled eggs and sponge cakes because before long everyone's tripping. Talking animals, constellations made flesh, and flying bird ladies? Hopefully the next story is entitled "Mary Poppins in Rehab".

[BonLivre · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quirky addition in the series, I enjoyed learning more about the English tradition of the magical evening of Midsummer’s Eve. Ironically, my enjoyment of this story coincides with my study of Shakespeare’s like-titled tale, so I believe I had more appreciation of the mythical undertakings.

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's midsummer and Mary Poppins and the whole gang are in the Park, but no one is following the By-laws

More of the same sort of story as the rest really. A short short-story or long chapter of the usual formula

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the midsummers Eve magic. And the stars and plants joining the fun. The reprise of the Turveys. But this one was lacking. The message wasn’t as powerful and the “events” not as memorable. Felt more like a reunion episode honestly.