Mary Poppins adapted by Amy Novesky and illustrated by Genevieve Godbout is a picture book introduction to P.L. Travers’ popular 1934 novel about a very unusual nanny who flies in on the East wind to care for the Bank children, Jane, Michael, and the twins, at Seventeen Cherry Street Lane.
With an air of no-nonsense and a little magic, Mary flies up the banister to the bedrooms and proceeds to unpack her curious carpetbag. The double page illustration of this unpacking is particularly delightful as the children marvel at what flies out including “a box of lozenges, a bottle of scent, a set of dominoes, two bathing caps, seven flannel nightgowns, four cotton ones, a large bar of soap, a pair of boots, a postcard album, a toothbrush and a pack of hairpins.” That done, the children are then put to bed in Mary Poppin’s spit- spot fashion.
This adaptation includes a fun-filled visit to Mary Poppins’ Uncle Wigg. They find him enjoying his tea in a chair up near the ceiling! He tells them to join him by thinking funny thoughts and laughing. In a matter of seconds, Jane and Michael are laughing and feeling lighter and lighter until they, too, find themselves around the table in mid-air sipping tea and eating cakes.
They also meet Annie and Fannie at the bakery shop and watch as Mary Poppins hangs paper stars in the night sky and sets them twinkling. When Spring arrives, however, the children see Mary Poppins, riding on the breath of the West wind, flying over the rooftops and away from them, until next time.
Mary Poppins adapted by Amy Novesky and illustrated by Genevieve Godbout is an entertaining picture book introduction to Travers’ classic for children 4-7 years of age (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018).
Questions and activities for Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins takes everything she needs with her in a bag made out of a carpet. Take a second look at the illustration where she takes out the contents of her bag. What would you put in such a bag if you were going for a long stay at Seventeen Cherry Street Lane? Think about it. Make a list. Don’t forget your stuffed animals!
Have you ever seen the movie version of Mary Poppins with Julie Andrews? Ask your parents or grandparents to find it on the web or on television. This movie will have many adventures for you to enjoy. You can even read the full novel by P.L. Travers when you are older.
Magic plays a role in the story of Mary Poppins. Ask your parents to read the story again to you as you look again at the illustrations. Look and listen for details and actions that depend on magic.
