Julianne Moore in ‘Great Shock’ After Donald Trump Bans Her Children’s Book ‘Freckleface Strawberry’ From Schools: ‘I Can’t Help But Wonder What Is So Controversial’

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According to Julianne Moore‘s Instagram post on Sunday, the Trump Administration has prohibited the use of her 2007 children’s book “Freckleface Strawberry” in schools managed by the Department of Defense.

Learning that my first book, ‘Freckleface Strawberry,’ has been barred from schools managed by the Department of Defense under the Trump Administration came as a massive surprise to me. ‘Freckleface Strawberry’ is a semi-autobiographical tale about a seven-year-old girl who initially dislikes her freckles, but eventually learns to embrace them when she understands that she’s unique yet similar to others. This book was penned for my own children and intended to remind other kids of the shared struggles we all face, reminding us of our common humanity and community.

The summary for “Freckleface Strawberry” goes as follows: “If you have freckles, here are some suggestions: 1) Attempt to erase them, but remember that scrubbing might not work. 2) Conceal them, but beware of your mom’s disapproval if you use a marker. 3) Vanish, which seems impossible. Where did you vanish? Oh, there you are. The last option is: 4) Embrace them! Remember, the traits that set you apart are what make you unique and special, just like everyone else. Starring acclaimed actress Julianne Moore and award-winning illustrator LeUyen Pham, this story follows a little girl who learns to accept her individuality.

Moore, who graduated from Frankfurt American High School, run by the Department of Defense, and whose father served in Vietnam, expressed sadness that children with similar backgrounds – those who grew up with a parent in military service and attended schools under the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) – would not be able to read a book written by someone whose life experiences mirrored their own.

Moore couldn’t help questioning why a simple children’s picture book had been prohibited by the U.S. government, finding it disappointing and unimaginable in a nation that values free speech and expression as a fundamental right.

Moore became aware of the ban through a non-profit literary advocacy group called Pen America. This same group, Pen America, highlighted Kathleen Krull’s picture book about Ruth Bader Ginsburg titled “No Truth Without Ruth” and Ellis Nutt’s book “Becoming Nicole” in an Instagram post, noting that these titles, along with “Freckleface Strawberry,” were placed under a ban.

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2025-02-16 22:16