Although the story of a magically empowered English nanny was originally told in a series of books by P. L. Travers, most of the world knows Mary Poppins as the central character in the film created by Walt Disney. A cinematic confection, "Mary Poppins" has enraptured generations of moviegoers since its premiere fifty years ago, standing with "The Wizard of Oz" as the two greatest children's films adapted from books. Given its ubiquity in popular culture and its place in the hearts of moviegoers of all ages, one wonders, after all this time, if there could be anything more we don't already know about it. But no matter how familiar the characters, how memorable the music, how timeless the story, the answer is, yes, there's a whole book worth of things most of us will be surprised to learn. "The Essential Mary Poppins" is brimming with amazing true stories, corrected myths, and particular particulars about one of the most remarkable movie musicals of all time. It's not meant to provide a comprehensive nor complete academic reference, but rather an accessible distillation, each page a delightful confection (served up like a spoonful of sugar) about a film that is widely considered to be one of the greatest films of all time and one that has resonated across half a century.