Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The world-famous nanny is back, still living with the admirable Banks family, and still messing with the lives of the other folks on Cherry Tree Lane. This time, Mr. Banks's former governess, Miss Andrew, takes up residence in a previously empty home on the street. Living with her is Luti, a ``brown-skinned'' child, as a kind of a slave to her every need; he escapes from the house only once a day when the old bag naps. And so Mary Poppins rescues Luti from the tyranny of service so that he may return to his family, whom he believes is calling him home. There are funny elements here, and occasional glimpses of the spit-spot Poppins that so many have loved. But this work is not half as charming as its predecessors, and the episode with Luti seems contrived. Ages 8-12. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-- Mary Poppins fans will welcome this latest addition to the series. It features all of the favorite and familiar characters in a fast-paced fantasy/farce that works much better than Mary Poppins in Cherry Tree Lane (Delacorte, 1982). The neighbors are distressed to learn that their beloved Number Eighteen, an empty house for which each has created an imaginary, wished-for tenant, is about to be occupied by Mr. Banks' childhood governess, Miss Andrew--otherwise known as the Holy Terror. Her dreaded arrival brings a pleasant surprise as well, for Luti, a native boy from the South Seas, has accompanied her as both servant and student. Delighted by the prospect of a new friend, Jane and Michael are frustrated by the restrictions which the hypochondriacal Miss Andrew has placed on Luti, who grows more and more homesick for his family and tropical surroundings. When the call in his heart to return home becomes more than he can bear, it is Mary Poppins who makes the trip possible by means of a visit to the Man-in-the-Moon. The ``noble savage'' theme notwithstanding, Travers has written a satisfying story that skillfully combines the mundane with the magical in plot and sharp-as-ever characterization. Inscrutable, intimidating, incorrigible--all apply to Mary Poppins. Shepard's illustrations are both fresh and timeless. Her drawings of Miss Andrew are particularly telling, and with one look at Mary Poppins' upturned nose, children will almost hear her haughty sniff.-- Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Fiction: F Mr. Bank's holy terror of a governess returns to Cherry Tree Lane bringing with her Luti, a South Seas island boy whom she exploits shamelessly until Mary Poppins comes to the rescue. Subtle racism and awkward line drawings make this a poor choice for the library. It would be better to buy another copy of one of the earlier, treasured Mary Poppins titles. Horn Rating: Unacceptable in style, content, and/or illustration. Reviewed by: nv (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
In a long, typical episode in the annals of the brisk nanny at Number Seventeen, Luti--a boy from the South Seas who has been pressed into the service of Miss Andrew, Mr. Banks' old governess (who will be remembered as a ""Holy Terror""), is sent magically home via the park, the moon, and some accommodating clouds. Number Eighteen has long stood empty, peopled only by the kindred spirits imagined by the other inhabitants of Cherry Tree Lane. Reality is harsher: when Miss Andrew moves in, consternation ensues. Mary Poppins, of course, takes a firm hand, first aiding her charges in their missions of friendship to Luti, then sending him on his way. The fierce, dream-ousting Miss Andrew gets poetic justice: she must read aloud to Admiral Boom's resident pirate (who gets to choose the stories) and also dance. Travers rings in an extraordinary number of familiar phrases and details from her earlier books, economically using them all to further her new story while coasting on previous caricatures. The setting is unchanged, even to the male Prime. Minister who comes personally to check up on the Park Keeper, and Mrs. Banks is as dithery and helpless as ever. But Mr. Banks is now a good deal less stiff--with an engaging tendency to empathize with his children and dream his own dreams; Michael takes a turn helping Mrs. Brill with the dishes; even Mary Poppins herself is a bit less astringent. Fans will enjoy this dividend to a classic series. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
