Mary Poppins (character) Academy Award for Best Actress. British film magazine "Empire" included Poppins (as played by Andrews) in their 2011 list of 100 greatest movie characters. A quintessential English nanny, Mary Poppins is a slightly stern but caring woman, who uses magic and self-control to take care of the Banks children. She is usually identifiable by her sensible hat and parrot umbrella which she brings with her wherever she goes on outings. She is kind towards the children, but can be firm when needed. She is "practically perfect in every way." In the film version, she is a young woman, with an
Mary Poppins to cats on a different planet, and a Halloween dance party with their shadows. Twenty-six vignettes (one for each letter of the alphabet) weave unexpected tales of Mary Poppins, the Banks children, and other characters from Travers's previous novels. Each vignette is filled with fun and unusual words that start with the featured letter. Mary Poppins comes to the rescue when the Banks's family cook goes on an unexpected leave, teaching the young Banks children the basics of cooking in the process. The book includes recipes. Mary Poppins takes the Banks children on yet another memorable adventure, this time on