Her ‘Singing’ Dog Inspired Julie Andrews’ Latest Venture

Published: March 6, 2026

By Mallory Mattingly

Beloved MARY POPPINS star Julie Andrews just announced her new children’s book, “Shy,” which she wrote with her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton.

“We are delighted to announce that Julie and Emma’s next picture book, SHY, illustrated by Eva Byrne and inspired by Julie’s own ‘singing’ dog,” Andrews shared on social media.

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The sweet picture book follows Shy, the “smallest and quietest pup at the shelter.”

“The world feels big, loud and a bit scary to her sweet and gentle soul. But when a man with kind eyes brings her home, she feels safe with her new best friend ― and keeps him company while he practices at his piano. Beautiful, unfamiliar sounds dance in the air when the piano man plays, and something inside her begins to stir. The piano man has an important performance ahead ― but it may be a performance no one, especially the piano man, ever expected,” a synopsis of the book reads.

Andrews’ fans can’t wait.

“Oh my daughter will be thrilled!!! 😍😍😍 we’re obsessed with you!” one person wrote. Another said, “Aww 🥹💜 so cute and looking forward to reading it.”

The book will release Aug. 11, 2026, but it’s available for pre-order.

“Shy” is far from the first children’s book by Andrews and Hamilton that celebrates music.

Inspired by Andrews’ role in THE SOUND OF MUSIC and the song “Do-Re-Mi,” the mother-daughter duo published “The First Notes: The Story of Do, Re, Mi” in 2022.

In it, young readers meet a “young Italian monk named Guido who longed to find a way to write and teach music.”

“Eventually, he created the musical scale, using the words Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-La-Ti-Do…one syllable for each note. Though the other monks thought it was a waste of time, Guido’s music couldn’t be silenced. His discovery remains the foundation for learning music today,” the synopsis reads.

“The Enchanted Symphony: A Picture Book” tells the story of a “lively” village “beset by a mysterious fog.”

“The town turns dull and silent; melancholy neighbors stop visiting each other and even going outside. Until one day, when a boy’s simple melody strikes a chord, reminding everyone of what matters most — even in the darkest of times.”

The pair released an updated version of “The Great American Mousical” last October, which takes a look at Broadway “through the eyes of a talented troupe of theatrical mice.”

“Julie and Emma are so grateful to Abrams Kids for the invitation to update the text for a new generation of readers, and Tony Walton’s charming illustrations are now realized in full color,” Andrews shared on Instagram.