Making Mary Poppins by Todd James Pierce [Book Review]

A delightful deep dive into the making of Mary Poppins—from the Sherman Brothers’ songwriting magic to Walt Disney’s vision and the behind-the-scenes battles that shaped a classic.

I’ve always loved Mary Poppins, but I might love the how-did-this-even-happen story behind it just as much. This book gets that – and leans all the way in. Find out why I gave Making Mary Poppins: The Sherman Brothers, Walt Disney, and the Creation of a Classic Film 4/5 stars and read my review below.

What is the book about?

When Bob and Dick Sherman—two relatively unknown songwriters—first walked onto the Walt Disney Studios lot to pitch a song for Annette Funicello, they had no idea that they’d end up meeting Walt himself, or that a few months later they’d be developing the songs and storyline for the studio’s biggest live-action movie ever. In this captivating book, Todd James Pierce details the process from conception through production, including the challenges that the boys—and Disney—faced in dealing with author P. L. Travers and persuading her that their vision for the film would resonate with audiences.

My thoughts:

Todd James Pierce’s Making Mary Poppins begins back when the Sherman Brothers were still hustling, hoping one good song might get them noticed. Then Walt Disney enters the picture, and suddenly the stakes are much higher. From there, the book becomes a surprisingly gripping play-by-play of how a very particular movie came together at a very particular moment in Hollywood.

Yes, the Shermans are the backbone here – and for good reason. They knew how to write songs that were catchy and did actual narrative work (a lost art). But what makes this book work is how wide the lens is. Pierce isn’t just interested in the music. He digs into the creative tug-of-war, the technical problem-solving, the early special effects, the casting decisions, and the famously complicated relationship with author P. L. Travers, who was not exactly thrilled to hand her creation over to Disney.

If you’ve ever watched Mary Poppins and wondered how they accomplished such a film in the 1960s, this book will blow your mind. It’s detailed and clearly written by someone who respects the work that goes into making something look effortless.

I finished Making Mary Poppins with a deeper appreciation for the film and a strong urge to rewatch it immediately. I highly recommend it for anyone who loves classic Hollywood, behind-the-scenes storytelling, or movies that earned their magic the hard way.

Thank you to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for an advanced reader’s copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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