MARY POPPINS AND THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR [Paperback]

P.L. Travers (Author), Mary Shepard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1992

When the new tenants in the house next to the Banks's home arrive, peace in the neighborhood leaves, and it is up to Mary Poppins to bring it back. Reprint. SLJ. C.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

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.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 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
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Yearling (June 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440406560
• ISBN-13: 978-0440406563
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,229,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars P.L. Travers does it again!, November 9, 2008

By 

Elizabeth Clare Johnson "Mystic" (Mississippi) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Mary Poppins and the House Next Door (Hardcover)

This Mary Poppins book is as delightful as the other books in her series.

It is as much fun to read for adults, as it is for children. It also had

some interesting new characters.