Overview
Making Mary Poppins reveals the extraordinary true story behind the creation of one of the most beloved films of all time―and the two little-known songwriters who helped make it possible. Long before Mary Poppins danced across the rooftops and into the hearts of millions, Robert and Richard Sherman were struggling songwriters in Los Angeles, trying to find their voices―and their futures. In this vivid and deeply researched narrative, author and Disney historian Todd James Pierce traces the unlikely path that brought the Sherman brothers to Walt Disney's attention and how their personal history, musical genius, and emotional lives shaped the film's unforgettable songs and surprising story line. From their early days writing novelty tunes to the high-stakes drama of working with P. L. Travers and Walt Disney himself, the Sherman brothers' story is rich with behind-the-scenes intrigue, creative breakthroughs, and quiet triumphs. Their work on Mary Poppins not only launched their careers―it transformed Disney's live-action division and influenced an entire era of musical filmmaking. Filled with never-before-published details, Making Mary Poppins is a story of art, ambition, and resilience.
Full Product Details
Author: Todd James Pierce ,
Al Kessel
Publisher: Tantor
Imprint: Tantor
Edition: Unabridged edition
ISBN: 9798228766143
Publication Date: 11 November 2025
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Audio
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
""Thoroughly entertaining."" -- ""Kirkus Reviews"" ""Until now no one has captured the full story of how Walt Disney's extraordinary Mary Poppins came about...It is the saga of two brothers whose careers crystallized when Walt Disney saw something special in their creative DNA."" -- ""Leonard Maltin, American film critic and film historian""
Author Information
Todd James Pierce, Orcutt, California, is the author of three books, including Newsworld, which won the Drue Heinz Literature Prize. His work has appeared in over seventy magazines and journals, including the Harvard Review and the North American Review. He is a professor of literature at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California. Al Kessel is a full-time narrator and voice actor currently living in Arizona, where he works from his professional home recording studio. For Al, performing is passion. Audiobook narration was the logical career choice for him since, for as long as he can remember, he's been a voracious reader, acting all the characters out in his head, and often entertaining his family with his dramatic reenactments of books, movies, and television. Al prides himself on the ability to bring any character to life with his voice, a voice often described as ""smooth as melted butter,"" or ""like an old friend you just love hearing tell you about their day."" He has recorded numerous audiobooks from just about every genre. When not bringing stories to life, he loves hiking in the desert with his wife and puppy, visiting Disneyland and, when time permits, reenergizing on the beach.
