Favorite Fictional Characters --- Mary Poppins

Now who would not want Mary Poppins as their nanny? She sings, turns pictures to life, and can take anything she wants out of her bad. She is perfect.

All I can remember from the first time I watched the movie as a kid was a sense of wonder and awe. She was everything I was lacking in my own childhood. She was caring but stern, fun but kept you on task, and always knew what to say to make everything all better.

I've never read the 8 books she stars in so my only reference is the movie. I've always meant to read the books but for some reason I always find myself doing something else. How can you not love this character though? How can you not want to jump through that chalk drawing and ride the carousel? Of course I may pass on the whole jumping through chimneys bit.