117 Mary Poppins Book and Movie Lesson Plans and Activities

Almost everyone remembers the Mary Poppins book or movie growing up, right?

(No matter what generation you’re in, right?)

One of the things that I love the best is that the Mary Poppins book is a great story for all ages–from tots to teens.

Add in the multiple Mary Poppins movies and you can turn this entire topic into a fantastic theme lesson full of printables, crafts, projects, movies, books, and MORE!

 
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The Mary Poppins Book : A Mary Poppins Summary

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Please refer to our DISCLOSURE STATEMENT.

Mary Poppins is the first children’s book in a series written by author PL Travers.

Mary Poppins is a Nanny with magical powers who comes to the rescue of the Banks family (the main Mary Poppins characters), who live in London.

She swoops in one day after the Banks’ previous Nanny leaves and proceeds to take the four Banks children on magical journeys.

However, Mary Poppins is not up for disobedience and snaps the children right in line.

Despite her strict rules, the kids still bond with Mary Poppins because they have so much fun with her in such different ways than they are accustomed.

About the Author PL Travers | What book is Mary Poppins based on?

Pamela Lyndon Travers, or PL Travers, is a pen name for the author Helen Goff.

PL Travers first wrote about Mary Poppins in a short story in 1926 and then later expanded the character into a full novel.

Is Mary Poppins a true story?

Travers said that the character is based on her aunt, whom she calls “Aunt Sass.”

Travers wrote:

“I thought to myself, ‘Some day, in spite of her, I shall commit the ‘disrespectful vulgarity of putting Aunt Sass in a book.’ And then it occurred to me that this had already been done, though unconsciously and without intent. We write more than we know we are writing. We do not guess at the roots that made our fruit. I suddenly realised that there is a book through which Aunt Sass, stern and tender, secret and proud, anonymous and loving, stalks with her silent feet….You will find her occasionally in the pages of Mary Poppins.”

As a young girl, Travers lived with Aunt Sass for several years after the death of Travers father.

Also, Travers said that Aunt Sass was very wealthy woman who was also very strict.

“Imagine a bulldog whose ferocious exterior covers a heart tender to the point of sentimentality and you have Christina Saraset [Aunt Sass].”

Then, Travers went on to write Aunt Sass as a Christmas present for friends and family and initially only printed 500 covers of the short stories.

The author did not intend for Mary Poppins to be a children’s novel, but children (as well as adults) were drawn to the whimsical nature of the story.

How many Mary Poppins books are there?

The Mary Poppins book is actually a series of eight total books.

And, the last book was written in 1988.

What are the Mary Poppins books in the series?

#1: Mary Poppins
#2: Mary Poppins Comes Back
#3: Mary Poppins Opens the Door
#4: Mary Poppins in the Park
#5: Mary Poppins from A to Z
#6: Mary Poppins in the Kitchen
#7: Mary Poppins in Cherry Tree Lane
#8: Mary Poppins and the House Next Door

Also, you can also get the entire Mary Poppins book set.

(FYI: Mary Poppins books #4 and #5 are actually more specialty books.)

What age is Mary Poppins appropriate for?

The Mary Poppins book states that it is for ages 5 and up. However, as usual, use your own judgment on limiting or allowing certain reading topics. You you know your kids best!

Mary Poppins Movie

The original Mary Poppins movie was released in 1964.

The cast of characters included Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins and Dick Van Dyke as Bert.

Mary Poppins Trailer [Video]

Mary Poppins Returns Movie

In 2018, a new Mary Poppins movie was released: Mary Poppins Returns.

In this movie, Mary Poppins makes a visit to the grown Banks children to help out with some issues they are having with their own kids.

Who is playing the new Mary Poppins?

The new Mary Poppins cast of characters includes Emily Blunt in the starring Mary Poppins role.

Mary Poppins Returns Trailer

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17 Mary Poppins Book and Movie Lesson Plans, Crafts, Activities, and Projects

As you can see, just reading the books and watching the movies (and even comparing and contrasting the books and movies) present fun and interesting learning opportunities.

But, here are additional ways to jazz up this theme lesson topic!

There are Mary Poppins printables, Mary Poppins crafts, a Mary Poppins study guide, Mary Poppin lessons and SO MUCH MORE you can do with this theme lesson unit study!

Here are 17 ideas to get you started: