CHILDREN’S book of the week

MARY POPPINS BY PL TRAVERS, ILLUSTRATED BY LAUREN CHILD Harpercollins Children’s Books, priced £20

IF YOU took your children to see new movie Mary Poppins Returns over the Christmas holidays, this book might interest them.

A stunning, full-colour illustrated edition of the classic novel about the magical nanny sees the quirky and eccentric character brought back to life on the page in a pink and orange spotty dress, flying above London rooftops, clutching her flowered bag and green umbrella.

The brilliant illustrations are the work of Lauren Child, known for her Charlie and Lola picture books and Clarice Bean series.

When Mary Poppins arrives on a gust of wind to the home of the Banks in Cherry Tree Lane, their lives are turned upside down.

First published in 1964, Mary Poppins has been delighting young and old for generations and this book will be one for the family to treasure.