Ahhh Mary Poppins!

While I don’t have strong childhood memories of the classic Disney movie ‘Mary Poppins’ I have often longed for her arrival at my home over the past few years!

But, during our last library trip (bless you librarian folk for tolerating us once a week), there it was! The Mary Poppins DVD, on the shelf, ready to borrow. And with our forthcoming staycation I thought it was just the thing for some ‘good ol’ family entertainment’ (ha, don’t get to write that much)! So off Mary went into our library bag for a rainy day.

If you’re not familiar with it, here’s some quick stats; released in 1964, directed by Robert Stevenson. Starring Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke and Glynis Johns. And the storyline? A magic nanny comes to work for a cold banker’s unhappy family. Of course they’re not unhappy for long and soon us older folk are singing along to familiar songs such as A Spoonful of Sugar, Step in Time, Chim Chim Cheree and of course, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious…

And the verdict? We loved it! It was a great show for the younger ones (ours being 2, 3 & 4) each enjoyed it enormously. And as I didn’t really recall the storyline it was a journey for each of us…the Carousel ride, the ships Admiral (and his cannon) and the delightful Mary Poppins herself with her carpetbag full of goodies. What a wonderful voice Julie Andrews has and Dick Van Dykes dancing…we need a chimney sweep like that (not to mention the maid and the cook). If only we really could have a tea party on the roof…our kids have already asked to have one!

So, this staycation I recommend a revisit with ‘Mary Poppins’ for pre-schoolers or other young kids. Perfect for a lazy family afternoon or Saturday night special. We’re going to grab a copy to keep at home for next time.