Growing up, I always adored and had a soft spot for Mary Poppins. After the release of the movie "Saving Mr. Banks", I found myself more intrigued by the beloved musical that I grew up watching as a kid. Reading "Making Mary Poppins" made me appreciate the film more. This book is beautifully written by Pierce and showcases the Sherman Brothers, who are the geniuses behind the music. I learned a lot more than I expected and this is one biography that I did not want to end. This book was wonderful and I can't express how much I enjoyed it.

I'm sure many have seen the 2013 movie "Saving Mr. Banks" about the author of Mary Poppins, P.L. Travers, and how Disney made the movie from her novel. This is primarily about the musicians who were entrusted with shaping the movie to showcase their songs. It's the story of the Sherman brothers, Robert the lyricist, and his brother Richard who composed the music, and their struggles to find their places in show business.
The book begins when the young brothers are born and raised in New York, influenced by their tunesmith father. Introspective Robert is a writer whose dream is writing a fantastic novel, and outgoing younger brother Richard's hope to compose a symphony. Neither dreams work out and on their father's advice they start writing popular tunes and move to California. They started selling some of their music, but their breakthrough arrived while writing music for Annette Funicello, which brought them to Walt Disney's attention. Disney had a long running project of making a movie based on the Mary Poppins series. He had been trying to persuade the author to sell him the rights, but she had no intention of making her books "disneyfied." After hearing the Sherman Brothers music and meeting them at Disney studios, he realized that he had the perfect team to create a movie from Traver's story collections. He needed imagination and flexibility as there was really only a series of anecdotes in her novels and the Sherman Brothers had both. From the texts, they set the time period, appropriate music, character suggestions and story arc and basically wrote the outline for the movie. But Disney still hadn't gotten permission to make the movie from Travers and hoped that by bringing her to meet his crew, he would charm her into giving him film rights-and by now she really needed his money.
Whereas the movie gave insight into the characters of Travers' books, especially Mr. Banks and Mary Poppins, the perspective of this biography was on the process of movie-making and how difficult it is to agree on anything. I must admit that when I saw the movie when it first hit the theaters in the 60's. I agreed with Travers- this didn't present the books that I adored. But after reading Pierce's book, I understood that the movie is a completely different animal, based loosely on the Mary Poppins series, but not a depiction of the novel. I would like to see it again now to appreciate the work that the Sherman brothers accomplished to create a new interpretation of this beloved book.

I enjoyed this book which explores the making of Mary Poppins, one of the best Disney musical films and superior to the original book (although P L Travers did not think so!) If you've seen the film Saving Mr Banks, you'll know some of the story already. This book is a detailed look at the development of the film and in particular the careers of the Sherman brothers, the songwriters.

The first quarter of the book is focused on what came before and although I appreciated the biography of the Sherman brothers, it didn't always keep my attention, but once we got to the adaptation from book to screen, it was fascinating. I learned that originally more of the book was kept in, such as the journey to the points of a magical compass and the frankly odd episode with the human zoo. It was very interesting to learn the reasoning behind various decisions made by the songwriters, producers and Disney himself. The casting, animation and special effects were all fun to read about. Knowing how the scenery was done with matte paintings and cut-outs, or how the actors were suspended on wires, or how the nursery tidied itself up, did not make the film seem any less magical. Finally we reach the hype of the film's premiere and the super success of the soundtrack, plus the positive effects the film had on the careers of those involved, especially Julie Andrews. The book has a slightly academic tone but is very accessible and if you're a fan of Mary Poppins I'd highly recommend it.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley.

As a little girl I loved the Mary Poppins film and have gone to show it to my children. The book follows the Sherman brothers and how they came to the Mary Poppins project and everything they put into it. I can't believe how much goes into making a film!

I really enjoyed reading this story, it wasn't too technical and moved at a good pace.

Would highly recommend to Mary Poppins fans and film lovers!

What are the odds that just after finishing the section talking about Julie Andrews being tapped for the role in Sound of Music after doing Mary Poppins that I'd encounter a grocery worker stocking shelves merrily whistling an Andrews tune? True story. Made me smile. This book also brought me some smiles. It was interesting to learn not only about the Sherman Brothers' work on Poppins but get to know their back story, such as Bob being in the first wave of army troops to hit Omaha Beach during WWII, and why it helped prepare them for the task. Walt Disney's courtesy toward their family was nice to hear about, too.

In other words, while the focus is on the drive to produce the music for Disney's Mary Poppins, we learn not only quite a bit about Disney and the Sherman's as humans, but also many of the various others who contributed. Knowing that, say, Dick Van Dyke is approaching 100 years old as I type, it was fascinating to be reminded that despite his successful television series, this was his first truly important movie role as Bert the chimney sweep. While Andrews was fresh off the disappointment of not being given the chance to take a successful Broadway role to the big screen, she was also pregnant when she signed to do the picture. You'll also meet the other main cast members, including the Bird Lady, and get a feel for their backgrounds and why Disney selected them. Heck, for all this talent, Van Dyke wasn't a dancer, so you know there was more to that story.

Bottom line, while I was expecting to read a bit more detail of how certain scenes were accomplished, many were explained, including the fear of heights one of the child actors had. The standard answer to those on set asking how something would be done was "Disney magic" which, given our knowledge nowadays of the output from the studio, made all the sense in the world. You'll even learn where the Sherman's life long love of word play lead to "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" as a song. The author of the Poppins book, btw, PL Travers, gets some time and explanation, too, which was interesting having seen Disney's "Saving Mr. Banks" movie dealing with those tricky negotiations. In other words, lots of behind the scenes info shared including Walt's (he disliked being called Mr. Disney) concept of connecting with all ages, not just the children the picture may seemed aimed at. It worked and, yes, still works today. There's also an extensive list of resources used at the end. Thanks #WWNorton&Company for this early peek into the making of a movie so many of us have loved. It brought smiles and warm memories of it, not to mention the Sherman's role in the "It's a Small World" theme song at that Disney experience.

I was able to read this title thanks to NetGalley. Mary Poppins was a child book series by P L Traverse. Walt Disney’s daughters were reading it, when he came up with the idea for a movie. In 1964 that movie was a hit. Julie Andrews and Dick VanDyke were made for their roles. This book takes a look into how this movie was made. I loved it.

The true story behind the movie. It tells how far the writers had to go before they could get Walt Disney to see their talents. It is a wonderful story.

I received a free copy of, Making Mary Poppins, by Todd James Pierce, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I have always loved Mary Poppins, there is something special about this movie. Bob and Dick Sherman are musical geniuses, the songs they wrote are so catchy. I really enjoyed reading this book, and learning about the making of Mary Poppins.

Todd James Pierce's Making Mary Poppins, which I received from W. W. Norton & Company and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, can only be described as a labour of love for this film, Disney and its role as a gold-plated part of so many children's childhoods.

This book will be likely helped by Saving Mister Banks, the movie in which P.L Traver's territorial approach to giving Mary Poppins to Walt 'Mickey Mouse' Disney himself was traumatic, bold and beautifully crafted as a wonderful standalone, adult film for those who wanted to know just how complicated bringing the source material to the screen was.

This book shifts the narrative to the Sherman Brothers, who, of course, deserve significant credit for changing Mary Poppins from a film with songs to a musical with a stellar collection of songs that propel the movie along.

The book is quite tight in its delivery. There could have been more about Travers and her supposed inspiration for Mr. Banks. Pierce instead looks at this book from the creative standpoint of the Disney team. His other books show that he is a keen Disneytorian (I imagine there is likely a more apt word for this) and that this book works within the timeline of his others - first came animation, then came Snow White, then came Disneyland, then came Mary Poppins: the peak of Disney's creative journey (not counting Snow White) and one which was richly rewarded... after the fact.

I'd say this is a 3.5 kind of book just because its scope is more technical, more interpersonal than personalised. He writes tightly, succinctly and sufficiently to make you feel that you are looking out from a window into a very unique time in film history. Bar the chapter of the Sherman's background - which, although relevant, does feel very stats-heavy. In some ways, I would have liked a little more about the unsung projects they undertook. Bedknobs and Broomsticks and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang are referenced. Could there be a gentle push to indicate how they contrast with MP?
Could there have been a tiny bit more about Travers? I'd say so. It brushes over her need to control. With the signing off of the project, that could have been extended a little bit.

Still, there is no question that I wouldn't recommend this to anyone interested in that delightfully British concept of a nanny (not just a goat, as the Sherman brother's assumed) turned film heroine. The focus on the Sherman brothers and their musical ear for period music, mixed with their enthusiasm to transform childhoods is obviously a God-given gift.

I've always had a soft spot for "Mary Poppins" because the film was the first movie I saw in a theater. I loved the movie "Saving Mr. Banks," and I enjoyed this book in the same way...learning about the behind-the-scenes goings-on was fascinating! While "Saving Mr. Banks" focused more on P.L. Travers, this book gives insight into the songwriters, as well as the nitty gritty of actually making the film. I was entranced all the way through.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed reading about this and made me realize just how long it was since I watched the movie. I'm definitely going to rewatch the movie.

Really enjoyed learning all sorts new information. Things like a breakdown on how they came up with the word 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious'.

The only issue (thought about dropping it down to 4 star because of this) with the book is there isn't a picture in the book. Not even a single still from the movie. I'm not even saying there weren't even new pictures or anything. There wasn't a single picture in the book, which I find crazy, when it's a book about a movie. Frankly, I am of the belief that every book would benefit from pictures or illustrations, but that every non-fiction book should have at least some.

Beyond my whole rant about pictures, I would recommend the book to any fan of the movie.

Making Mary Poppins is a captivating behind-the-scenes journey into the heart of a film that i loved during my childhood. As someone who adored Mary Poppins growing up—the whimsy, the music, the magic—this book felt like rediscovering a beloved friend through fresh eyes.

Todd James Pierce masterfully unpacks the untold story of the Sherman brothers, whose musical genius gave life to unforgettable songs like “Feed the Birds” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” Their path from struggling songwriters to Walt Disney’s trusted collaborators is both inspiring and deeply human. The book doesn’t just chronicle the making of a classic—it explores the emotional and creative threads that stitched it together.

What I especially appreciated was how Pierce balances rich historical detail with warmth and insight. The tension between Disney and P. L. Travers, the evolution of the live-action division, and the brothers’ own personal triumphs are all woven into a narrative that’s as engaging as it is illuminating.

For anyone who grew up humming along to Mary’s tunes or dreaming of chimney sweeps and carousel horses, this is a must-read. It’s a love letter to creativity, resilience, and the kind of storytelling that stays with you for a lifetime.

With thanks to Todd James Pierce, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.