On Oct. 12, Andrews entertained a crowd of more than 1,000 fans at the Fourth Street Banquet Center. The presentation titled "Words, Wisdom, Wonder—An afternoon with Julie Andrews" was co-sponsored by The Commonwealth Club of Silicon Valley, the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum, and Hicklebee's Childrens Books, located on Lincoln Avenue in downtown Willow Glen.

Willow Glen's own local celebrity, Valerie Lewis, co-owner of Hicklebee's, was instrumental in securing Ms. Andrews for the event.

"The Commonwealth Club contacted me and expressed an interest in doing a program together," Lewis says. "At some point in the conversation, the comment 'Wouldn't it be great if we could get someone like Julie Andrews?' was made, and I figured I would give it a shot."

Lewis, who knows Andrews through several book-signing events at Hicklebee's over the years, contacted Andrew's publicist and inquired about the author's availability. Currently on tour promoting her new line of books, Andrews was able to rearrange her schedule and spend a couple of hours with San Jose residents.

"Miss Andrews is extremely busy," Lewis says. "But because of the warm reception she always receives when she comes to Hicklebee's, she graciously altered her schedule to accommodate us."

The program began at 4:30 p.m. with a short montage of film clips from Andrew's diverse career. Shortly thereafter, Andrews took the stage and spoke about her passion for writing children's books, her latest publishing venture and the importance of instilling a love of reading in young children.

"She has been a longtime advocate of children's reading programs," Lewis says. "Her books always center around themes of integrity and imagination and evoke a sense of wonder in children. She is an amazing woman and a great author."

Andrews wrote her first book in 1971 and published it through HarperCollins Children's Books. She created the story, titled Mandy, for her stepdaughter and enjoyed the process so much, she decided to continue writing. Some 30 years later, she is embarking on a new venture: her own imprint with HarperCollins. Called The Julie Andrew's Collection, the grouping encompasses books for young readers of all ages that nurture the imagination and celebrate a sense of wonder. The collection includes new works by established and emerging authors, out-of-print gems worthy of resurrection and new books by Andrews.

The collection launches this month with four books. Simeon's Gift, co-written by Julie Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton and beautifully illustrated by Gennady Spirin, is a fantasy tale of a young lute player who sets out on a journey of self-discovery. Grateful, written by John Bucchino and illustrated by Anna-Liisa Hakkarrainen, is a song of thanks and celebrates the power of gratitude. Dumpy and the Firefighters, part of the Dumpy the Dump Truck series for very young children, is co-written by Andrews and her daughter and illustrated by Tony Walton. The book teaches about cooperation and instills a sense of community. Finally, Blue Wolf, written by first-time novelist Catherine Creedon, is a spell-binding fantasy about a teenage boy who discovers his unique ability to shape shift.

"Hicklebee's is pleased to carry the Julie Andrews Collection and previous works by Ms. Andrews," Lewis says. "The books are always very popular, wonderfully illustrated, creatively written and a joy to read."