Mary Poppins, Maria von Trapp and the Queen of Genovia are coming to town. Julie Andrews and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, will be at the Fairfield University bookstore on Feb. 7 to sign copies of their latest children’s book, “The Very Fairy Princess Follows Her Heart.”
This book is one of four in “The Very Fairy Princess” series, which is a New York Times #1 bestseller. The mother-daughter duo has also coauthored the “Dumpy the Dump Truck” series, among other books.
Their audio recording of Julie Andrews’ Collection of Poems, Songs and Lullabies won a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children.
An accomplished actress, singer and author, Andrews was even given the title “Dame” in 2000 by Queen Elizabeth II for her work in the performing arts. Andrews first rose to prominence as the titular character in 1964’s “Mary Poppins,” for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Fifty years into her career, Andrews remains as relevant as ever. She appeals to all generations, as apparent in the crowd gathered at the Fairfield University Bookstore early Friday morning. Though the store didn’t open until 9 a.m., a line down the length of the back entrance to the store reached nearly 50 people long by 8:30 p.m.
Grandparents, mothers and fathers with small children and college students alike waited in line to buy “The Very Fairy Princess” and collect their ticket to the book signing. With only 200 tickets given out, many rose early to ensure they’d have a chance to meet the entertainment icon.
Janet Peck of Fairfield arrived well before the store opened in hopes of getting a ticket. Peck first saw Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins when she was 10. Her father took her to Rockefeller Center to watch the film on the big screen, an experience that she said she will never forget.
Peck was also a fan of the book, and she read it as a child and then passed it down to her daughter, who is now 30. They both read the book so many times that it is dog-eared and worn, though she has kept it for her 2-year-old granddaughter, to bring about a new generation of Mary Poppins fans.
The prospect of meeting Mary Poppins herself is what brought Peck to the downtown Fairfield University bookstore for the first time early Friday morning. Peck chatted in line with Bonni-Kay Vesely, who bought three books.
Vesely also believes Julie Andrews has the ability to cross generational boundaries, and she plans to have the books signed for her grandchildren, her friend and her 79-year-old mother-in-law.
Junior Alexis Khursigara is one of the college students who woke up early on her day off to get a ticket. “I absolutely love Julie Andrews! I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to meet her,” she says.
The lucky 200 ticket holders eagerly await 3 p.m. on February 7, though some expressed concern that Julie Andrews may not be as sweet as the characters she has portrayed.
The book signing will follow strict guidelines, as clearly stated by the bookstore employees before tickets were handed out. In order to get a ticket, one of the four books in Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton’s series must be purchased at the Fairfield University bookstore.
There will be one autograph per ticketholder, even if multiple books were purchased. No personalized autographs, and absolutely no photographs. Ticketholders must be in line by 2:45 p.m., with their ticket, book and receipt in hand.
Even with the restrictions, Fairfield students and residents can’t wait to be in the same room as the woman who has portrayed so many iconic characters. Shannon Gilroy ‘14 is one of the students looking forward to Thursday afternoon. “I can’t believe I’m going to get to meet Mary Poppins!”
Leave a Reply