Julie Andrews’ Favorite Books Include a Childhood Gift From Her Dad That Still Inspires Her Today
The ‘Sound of Music’ star shares the reads that shaped her decades-long writing journey
Key Takeaways
- Julie Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton will release a new book in August.
- Andrews and her daughter have been writing children's books together for years.
- Here, check out some of Julie Andrews' favorite books that have influenced her.
Julie Andrews can sing, act and yes—even write. The Sound of Music star, now 90 years old, has just announced the upcoming release of an exciting new children’s book, Shy, that she penned alongside her daughter and writing partner, Emma Walton Hamilton. Shy is a story about a timid pup taken home by a pianist—and when he plays his instrument, something inside of the pooch comes to life. The story is inspired by Julie’s real life dog, and the actress opened up about the inspiration in a conversation with Publishers Weekly.
“Many years ago, when I was in My Fair Lady in London, I got myself a wonderful little gray poodle with some white markings, and she was very special. We called her Shy because she was just adorable and quiet and sweet: everything one needed for a companion. The thing is, when I did my singing practice every day, I discovered that she would join in with me and lift up her little neck and howl to the skies. She even went down the scale. It was charming, but it didn’t help my practice very much.”
Julie and her daughter Emma have been writing alongside one another for years, and they opened up about their partnership back in 2024 with Scary Mommy. When Julie’s publishers inquired about a children’s book, she turned to her daughter, who had a one-year-old son at the time who was utterly obsessed with trucks. This ultimately prompted their partnership and soon enough, Dumpy the Dump Truck was on shelves.
“It is bolstering—and that was a happy surprise,” shared Emma. “We weren’t sure whether we would be compatible. We had both worked together creatively in other arenas prior to writing together in the arts. So we knew that we had a common creative language and love of the arts and literature.”
A love of writing often pairs with a love of reading, and with Julie Andrews being such an impressive storyteller across mediums, it’s safe to say she’s found inspiration over the years on the page. As we prepare for the release of her upcoming book on August 11, take a look at some of Julie’s favorite reads she shared in conversation with Page Six last year.
‘The Little Grey Men’ by Denys Watkins-Pitchford
The Little Grey Men tells a story full of adventure, in which a group of garden gnomes set out on a journey to find fellow gnome Cloudberry after he left their quiet life in search of some excitement but fails to return. Their trek spans across the seasons and the English countryside, and the story has been celebrated for decades.
“My father bought me this lovely book when I was about 9 years old,” Julie shared with Page Six. “It is a beautifully written nature study focusing on the last four gnomes living in Britain. This book has influenced my own writing ever since I first read it, and I was proud to help republish it in the States several years ago.”
‘The Once and Future King’ by T. H. White
A retelling of the life of King Arthur, The Once and Future King is another story that made Julie Andrews’ list of favorites. The musical, Camelot, was adapted from this book, with Julie playing the part of Guenevere in the original cast.
‘Act One’ by Moss Hart
Act One is an autobiography about the famed playwright Moss Hart, and Andrews spoke fondly of this story, saying, “It is about his early life as he struggled through extreme poverty to eventually become the beloved, prominent man that he was. In my view, it captures an era and the world of musical theater in an unparalleled way.”
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