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Mary Poppins #1-3
Mary Poppins Boxed Set
By P.L. Travers, the author featured in the upcoming movie Saving Mr. Banks. Who can slide up banisters, banish naughtiness with a swift "Spit-spot," and turn a make-believe sidewalk drawing into a lovely day in the park? Mary Poppins, of course! From the moment the beloved nanny arrives at Number Seventeen Cherry-Tree Lane, everyday life for the Banks family is full of excitement. This box set features three adventures in paperback: Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins Comes Back, and Mary Poppins Opens the Door.
790 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2006
6 people are currently reading
317 people want to read
About the author
P.L. Travers
64 books730 followersPamela 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 30, 2019
Didn’t like. Didn’t want to finish.
March 1, 2014
I am ashamed to admit that I only recently found out that there were many Mary Poppins books! I watched a documentary about P.L.Travers and this is where I found out that there was a whole series of Mary Poppins books. Upon learning this I just had to get my hands on them so I got this lovely set containing the first 3 books
The first thing I would say is that you should put all thoughts of the film out of your head! Although magical, this Mary Poppins is more true to life in that she shows that she is not always perfect, although she would never admit it! The books are darker than the film where everything is Disney-fied, but still aimed at children.
The books are split into many stories, each chapter contains a separate story making it perfect for bedtime reading. The books do follow on from each other so I would suggest trying to read them in order, but there is no confusion if you do happen to read them out of order.
As an adult I enjoyed these books, I believe that I got something out of them that children wouldn't, sort of hidden meanings. I think they are suitable for children and would suggest 7+ as the ideal age. The themes of the book do lend themselves well to further discussion so it could be a good book to be read in school
If you haven't read a Mary Poppins book then I would rectify that immediately before she takes offence and pops down on her umbrella and pays you a visit!
The first thing I would say is that you should put all thoughts of the film out of your head! Although magical, this Mary Poppins is more true to life in that she shows that she is not always perfect, although she would never admit it! The books are darker than the film where everything is Disney-fied, but still aimed at children.
The books are split into many stories, each chapter contains a separate story making it perfect for bedtime reading. The books do follow on from each other so I would suggest trying to read them in order, but there is no confusion if you do happen to read them out of order.
As an adult I enjoyed these books, I believe that I got something out of them that children wouldn't, sort of hidden meanings. I think they are suitable for children and would suggest 7+ as the ideal age. The themes of the book do lend themselves well to further discussion so it could be a good book to be read in school
If you haven't read a Mary Poppins book then I would rectify that immediately before she takes offence and pops down on her umbrella and pays you a visit!
August 6, 2015
I have to say that Walt Disney brought more colorful magic to this than the author. I am a fan and always will be of the Disney classic and I think that might be clouding my review a bit. Just the opposite of so many times when the movie is not as good as the book, I find that the book is not as good as the movie. Very cleverly written, yet I found myself put off a few times as it was all quite... well weird! I am giving it 3 stars because two is not enough. This is a book club pick. We will be watching the Disney movie version and discussing the differences between the movie and book. We will also stick in a bit of discussion on Saving Mr. Banks.
May 9, 2019
After reading books 1-4 of Travers series, I have decided to put the rest on the Decided Not To Read shelf. Why?
I was very disappointed in this series and am happy to be done. I don't plan on going this way again. In the end, while Travers would find it depressing, I much prefer Disney's film version of her nanny, both for children and adults. I will not be recommending this series. You can read my previous reviews for more information, but I'm relieved of Mary Poppins for good.
If you'd like more insight into my growing revulsion toward this series, see...
Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins 1), Travers, 1934
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I was very disappointed in this series and am happy to be done. I don't plan on going this way again. In the end, while Travers would find it depressing, I much prefer Disney's film version of her nanny, both for children and adults. I will not be recommending this series. You can read my previous reviews for more information, but I'm relieved of Mary Poppins for good.
If you'd like more insight into my growing revulsion toward this series, see...
Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins 1), Travers, 1934
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
June 18, 2008
I got these books for my 11th birthday and read them all the next year, and also "Mary Poppins in the Park," which isn't in the boxed set in the picture (but I didn't want to have to write about each book separately).
The main things I remember about the book that are different from the Disney movie:
1. Mary Poppins isn't quite as pretty and nice as Julie Andrews (but she's still awesome)
2. There's a younger sibling who can talk with Mary Poppins until its first birthday. I just thought the idea of that was fun.
The main things I remember about the book that are different from the Disney movie:
1. Mary Poppins isn't quite as pretty and nice as Julie Andrews (but she's still awesome)
2. There's a younger sibling who can talk with Mary Poppins until its first birthday. I just thought the idea of that was fun.
Read
February 13, 2010My mother purchased this set for me when she saw Mary Poppins on Broadway. As a child I never read any of the books but adored the movie. I will review each book separately but do feel this is a set that any child ages 8-100 would enjoy.
I have already read most of the first book and look forward to reading it to my children at bedtime and then passing the books on to them when they are old enough to enjoy them, themselves. Nicely illustrated and perfect short stories for you and your loved ones to enjoy.
I have already read most of the first book and look forward to reading it to my children at bedtime and then passing the books on to them when they are old enough to enjoy them, themselves. Nicely illustrated and perfect short stories for you and your loved ones to enjoy.
March 6, 2016
I'm enjoying this book, especially the way it's very different from the movie. Mary Poppins is full of magic, but is very severe in actually admitting to it, which makes poor Jane and Michael's heads spin. There are a set up baby twins in this book, and although Bert is a friend of Mary's, he isn't in the book nearly as much as he was in the movie.
My plan is to get the rest of the Mary Poppins books for my classroom library. I think the kids will really enjoy reading these.
My plan is to get the rest of the Mary Poppins books for my classroom library. I think the kids will really enjoy reading these.
April 29, 2011
I have always loved the film of Mary Poppin's and it was a big part of my childhood, so I thought it would be about time I read it and I'm not afraid to say that I thought it was delightful! At the age of 20, reading children's books can become less magical but all of these stories were a pleasure to read and wonderfully written. I'd encourage anyone, of any age, to read it.
March 20, 2014
what more can be said about these classics. I read these enchanting tales for myself, my daughter and because the writing and characters are forever appealing. You will still love these books, even if you have only seen the Disney film (which to be honest is a great adaptation).
Keep a copy of these around for yourself and your family!
Keep a copy of these around for yourself and your family!
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May 24, 2007My favorite part is the story of the Pleides.
August 15, 2007
The movie did NOT do the books justice. (Sorry, Julie Andrews! Love you, anyway!)
August 28, 2007
These are so creative. I love the Mary Poppins character (she's a little tougher in the books than she is in the movie).
November 3, 2007
quite enchanting, but a very different feel from the film.
February 10, 2008
Choose any one of these, or any other in the series. But make an effort to get to know the REAL Mary Poppins, she's definitely not a Julie Andrews.
Read
May 8, 2008My mother found these classics in a used bookstore. Love those Brits!
September 22, 2019
I wasn't as entertained by this as I thought I would be since I watched the film obsessively as a child. I imagine I would've enjoyed it more had I read the book in my youth.
July 3, 2012
Who doesn't love to re-live these books at any age?!
August 13, 2014
a classic!!
Read
December 13, 2014My favourite children's books! So full of wisdom and hides much of the New Age spirituality wisdom we hear today, which makes it an interesting read for adults. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews