Julianne Moore ‘Truly Saddened’ by Trump’s Ban on Her Book Freckleface Strawberry in Schools: ‘I Can’t Help But Wonder What…’

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Julianne Moore expressed surprise when she learned that the Trump administration prohibited her 2007 children’s book, Freckleface Strawberry, from schools managed by the Department of Defense (DoD).

On Instagram, the actress posted, “I was deeply surprised to discover that the Trump Administration has prohibited the use of my first book, Freckleface Strawberry, in schools managed by the Department of Defense.

The book narrates the tale of a young girl, aged seven, who isn’t fond of her freckles. However, she eventually learns to appreciate them. Author Moore categorizes this tale as a partially autobiographical work intended to aid children in grasping the concept of self-acceptance.

She mentioned that the book is one she penned, intended for both her own children as well as other young readers, to underscore the shared experience of hardship among us all due to our common humanity, and also to emphasize the bond we share through community.

Freckleface Strawberry is a story about a young girl named Freckleface who struggles to accept and embrace her freckles. The official summary suggests some strategies for dealing with freckles: 1) Try to remove them through scrubbing, but be aware that it might not work. 2) Attempt to hide them using makeup or other methods, but be cautious about doing so without permission. 3) Wish they would just disappear, but remember that you can’t actually do that. The last option is: 4) Learn to live with them! Because the things that make us unique are also what make us who we are.

Since its publication, the book, beautifully illustrated by LeUyen Pham, has been warmly accepted by readers. Notably, actress Moore aimed to construct a tale that resonates with young audiences, reflecting her own experiences.

Julianne Moore has a special tie to DoDEA schools, as she herself was a student at Frankfurt American High School in Germany. Moreover, her father served in the Vietnam War. In an expressed sentiment, she lamented that military kids wouldn’t be able to read her book.

She expressed deep regret that children, much like herself, who grow up with a parent serving and attend a DoDEA school, will miss out on reading a book authored by someone whose life experiences mirror their own so closely.

Moore pondered over why her children’s book was prohibited. She expressed, “It’s hard not to wonder what could possibly make this seemingly innocuous picture book so contentious as to be banned by the US government.” She further lamented, “I never imagined I would witness such a restriction in a nation that cherishes freedom of speech and expression as a constitutional principle.

Moore learned that a ban had been imposed on several books, including Freckleface Strawberry, Kathleen Krull’s No Truth Without Ruth, a title about the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Ellis Nutt’s Becoming Nicole, which tells the story of a young transgender girl. This information was communicated to Moore by PEN America, a non-profit organization that advocates for literary rights.

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2025-02-17 15:37