*sigh* Well, the taxing journey is over. This fourth novel in the P.L. Travers series is basically another volume of random, unconnected adventures of Jane and Michael Banks and their nasty, unpleasant (but *magical*!) nanny, Mary Poppins. Apparently, this book is not a continuation of the story, but a collection of six new stories that could be placed anywhere throughout the timelines of the first three books. That basically means that Mary Poppins doesn't appear at the beginning and leave again at the end, but the rest is basically the same as any of the previous books. I kind of think it would have been better to just intersperse them throughout the first three books and call it good. A trilogy would have been more than adequate. One thing that I will say for this book (and the reason it warranted an extra star in my rating) is that Mary Poppins is actually marginally less toxic. At last! I really have no problem with her being somewhat stern and strict, but there has to be some element of tenderness or likeability somewhere, or why in the world would anyone care about her (the kids she tends, OR the reader)? In this book there's the slightest hint of softness beneath her prickly exterior, a few shades of kindness and the slightest traces of the occasional smile when Jane and Michael or the younger kids say something adorable and charming, as they often do (usually, heretofore, to Mary Poppins's disdain or borderline abusive disregard). So, it was nice to read a little more positive relationship here, and it made me feel for the first time like there could possibly be some understandable feelings of attachment between the five Banks children and their bizarre nanny. Some of these chapters are more disconcerting than the others, but the magical element is still pretty interesting. There's a weird bit of business concerning a cat-inhabited star, and a story or two that manages to involve a sort of all-star assortment of the wacky cast of the entire series (which, of course, Mary Poppins blatantly and venomously denies when the kids try to remind her of it the next day).I also read lately about the relationship between P.L. Travers and Walt Disney during production of the movie, including a bit regarding their behavior to each other at the premiere of Walt's cinematic masterpiece (which movie truly did marvelous things for this character, and for which she should have been eternally grateful), and I have to conclude that Ms. Travers really just had no clue what was going on in the world of moviemaking. Based on this as well as her writing, it's pretty clear that she also knew very little about children (which is corroborated by my research... REAlly, P.L., how could you separate those twins??). Poor, dotty woman.I really don't think the series needed to continue this long, but for some reason Ms. Travers felt the need to publish a few more of her bizarre chapters. Mary Poppins herself is ever so slightly more tolerable in this final book of the series, but in general I'm just kind of relieved it's all over.
This book in the series is even less of a timeline, less of a glimpse at the Banks family, and more of a six short story collection of unique adventures in the park with Mary Poppins. These could have been inserted anywhere in the previous three books.Mary Poppins, so tart and snooty, so full of her own perfection, and so likeable at the same time. I really enjoyed this one, the imaginative elements are so rich and childlike.Jane creates a small park of homes and people made of grass, twigs, and leaves - then of course they are suddenly within it. There they meet Mr. Mo with his three sons Eeny, Meenie, and Mynie -- plus the indian that they caught by the toe. On Halloween night, the eve of Mary Poppins' birthday, shadows escape for a party in the park. Shadows of their acquaintance, but also the three bears and Bo Peep and her sheep. The fairy tale book falls open and worlds collide. Are the princes the children in the story, or is it Jane and Michael? The other way around?Once you are mid-chapter, you just never know where it will take you next. And all of them end with Mary Poppins conceitedly assuming no involvement in such antics. Jane and Michael always have each other, as well as another small clue, to assure that such magic really did take place.I know my kids would probably enjoy these, but I read them to myself. The chapters do get a little long -- at least 30 pages each.
What do You think about Mary Poppins In The Park (2006)?
P.L. Travers warns up front that this volume is not the fourth in the series in the sense of being the further adventures of the magical nanny Mary Poppins. Rather, these are adventures that date mostly from the time of Mary Poppins Comes Back and Mary Poppins Opens the Door. As Travers says, “She [Mary Poppins] cannot forever arrive and depart.”Some of the characters from the previous books reappear — Fred Smith, the imperious Park Keeper; Admiral Boom, the Bird Woman of St. Paul’s Cathedral, the prissy Miss Lucinda Lark and her dogs, Mrs. Corry and her giant daughters, Egbert the Policeman, the Lord Mayor of London, and Bert the Match Man — but quite a few new ones emerge, too: a trio of charming princes, Mr. Mo and his tiny park and family, some literal shadow people, and the denizens of a cat star. Some of the adventures are delightful — “The Children in the Story,” which will especially resonate with adults — while some are simply enjoyable enough.While not quite in the same league as the 1934 debut Mary Poppins or 1943’s Mary Poppins Opens the Door, readers — whether children or adults — will be happy to have Mary Poppins in the Park so as to once again visit with the Banks children and most famous nanny of all time. There is definitely life in the old girl yet!
—Ivonne Rovira
The movie not being one i liked particularilly I was reluctant to read the series of Mary Poppins, but they were a great deal more enjoyable. With the nanny herself being a lot more realistic than portrayed in the film. The children embark on a series of adventures that more often than not don't actually include the formiddable Mary Poppins. The magical trips are short and sweet with a simple message or lesson in them...even some of the clichéd ones, such as " be careful what you wish for", not that I'm sure why you wish for such a nanny...and did you know Jane and Michael have 3 younger siblings?! I would recommend it if you have nothing better to do before going to sleep, plus your head will be filled with dreams of talking animals, dancing stars and evil cats trapping you on a far away planet asking riddles...
—Joanne
Rather than the sticking to the previous format of Mary Poppins arriving in a random fashion, bringing with her adventures galore before leaving again without a whisper of warning, this book follows selected stories from those times. I quite like that change, rather than knowing it will all end sadly when she disappears again, instead you can just revel in the joy and go with it.There felt like quite a lot of joy to be had too. As the book is about Mary Poppins in the park, most of the stories take place there, and thus the Park keeper becomes a pretty central character. He's sort of a nemesis to the children and their adventures, telling them they can't do this or that, even though they blatantly do. It's nice to have a bit of an adversary for the protagonists, albeit an ineffectual one.There were more morals at the end of the stories to take away, as well, what with being careful what you wish for, taking care of your shadows, and accepting who you are and who others are around you. There wasn't enough Bert for my liking, but still plenty of Mary Poppins being sniffy and vain, which I love just because she isn't as perfect as Walt Disney made her out to be.
—Christine Blachford
