An entertaining read with a surprisingly complex main character.
Plot
A magical and mysterious nanny comes into Jane and Michael's dreary household. They go on many extraordinary adventures together.
Morality
The author's claim that Mary Poppins is practically perfect must refer to her looks because she is not a nice or friendly person. She is prickly and sarcastic. But the kids love her anyway (at least most of the time) because although she doesn't show it, she does care about them and magic never ends when she is near.
Jane and Michael fight and whine sometimes, as most kids do, but they apologize. Mary Poppins never apologizes, even when she is clearly wrong.
After each magical adventure, Mary Poppins denies that it ever happened, which can be seen as a form of lying.
Spiritual Content
Magic in every chapter.
Violence
Maybe a slap or two. Admiral Boom fires a cannonball into the air.
Drug and Alcohol Content
Mary Poppins has a spoon of Rum Punch as her daily medicine.
Sexual Content
None.
Crude or Profane Language or Content
None.
Conclusion
An entertaining book. Jane and Michael are both very realistic children and likable characters. However, Mary Poppins, herself, is a complicated and paradoxical character and on the surface she really isn't a good role model.
