Skip to main content

Home


Julie Andrews is, in my opinion, one of the greatest female vocalists of all time. I have loved her since I was a little girl and unlike some of my other childhood favorites (Strawberry Shortcake, for example) I still enjoy watching and listening to her performances. I found her autobiography at audible.com and was immediately interested. When I realized the book is actually read by Dame Andrews, the decision to buy it was a no brainer. I wasn't disappointed. The book covers Andrews' life from infancy to 1962, when she was approached by Walt Disney to portray Mary Poppins. I know I would have enjoyed the book anyway, but hearing Julie tell her story made it even more special for me.

One of my favorite things about the story is the way Julie deals with people in her life who didn't make decisions she respected, or who behaved inappropriately or were just plain mean. Andrews is never rude or disrespectful in return. In fact, she is so kind to those people in her book, and so careful about the way she retells those situations, that it made me respect and like her even more.

I can't wait for her next autobiography, and I plan to purchase a few more of her albums and check out some of her children's books after listening. It was a wonderful way to learn more about one of my childhood heroes, and icon of American musical theater.

You can buy it too...download from
http://www.audible.com/

or from Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Home-Memoir-My-Early-Years/dp/B002DYJKHU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1248826856&sr=1-2
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

El Deafo

Summary:  When 4 year old Cece gets meningitis, her parents are scared. But she recovers and everything seems like it is going to be just fine, until they discover that Cece has suffered permanent hearing loss. Told through a graphic novel, Cece Bell's somewhat autobiographical story stars a world of bunnies where Cece navigates her first grade year while dealing with her deafness, wearing a hearing aid and making friends. She copes by creating an alter ego for herself, "El Deafo", the hearing aid wearing superhero. In the end, Cece gains confidence and learns to be more assertive with other people who just don't understand how their interactions with her can have an effect. Strengths: This graphic novel is geared towards a younger set of readers than most of the books I will be reviewing this fall in this blog, but it still has some value and strengths for the young adult reader. The theme of dealing with being different will resonate with young adult readers,
Post a Comment
Read more

Learning New Things

It has been a while since my last update, so first here's what's been going on. I left my music teacher position of 14 years to take a 1/2 library 1/2 music position at a public PK-3rd grade Academy that focuses on using GT best practices for all students, whether or not they've been identified as gifted. I inherited a library that was staffed the previous year by a 1/2 time librarian and a 1/2 time assistant, who were both on another campus 1/2 time, which is tough. I've gotten really lucky to be mentored by a phenomenal librarian who is only blocks from my school, knows a TON about the district I'm in and how it's run and is just a great person. Because I could basically do the music job in my sleep, I've spent something like 3/4 of my time in the library, trying to get my bearings, get programs off the ground and provide a welcoming space for my teachers and students. So far, it's been going well. This first post back is going to be focusing on a
Post a Comment
Read more

Gabi: A Girl in Pieces

Summary:  Gabi is a high school senior who is pulled in all directions. Her diary chronicles the sixteen year old's senior year of high school. Her best friend is pregnant, her other best friend is kicked out of his house after he comes out to his parents, her father is a meth addict and her mother nags and disapproves but is still supportive. Gabi's diary is full of teenage thoughts, poetry and her looking toward the future that she hopes will happen at Berkeley.  Through the novel we see Gabi learn and grow as she deals with the world happening around her and her social and environmental awareness as well as sense of self grows. Strengths:  This book gives a voice to a young, Latino woman in a genre that very rarely features that sort of character. As a result, there are issues discussed in this book that you won't find in very many other young adult books. Gabi struggles with racism, her weight and the problems of the people she cares about. The narrative of her d
Post a Comment
Read more