{"id":22137,"date":"2025-02-18T23:36:23","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T23:36:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=22137"},"modified":"2025-02-18T23:36:23","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T23:36:23","slug":"actress-julianne-moore-reveals-her-childrens-book-freckleface-strawberry-was-banned-in-some-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=22137","title":{"rendered":"Actress Julianne Moore Reveals Her Children’s Book ‘Freckleface Strawberry’ Was ‘Banned’ in Some Schools"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The “Still Alice” actress never expected her beloved children’s book to end up on a banned list \u2014 but now, she’s speaking out.<\/p>\n

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Academy Award-winning actress and author Julianne Moore has expressed shock after learning that her children’s book, “Freckleface Strawberry,” has been banned in certain schools operated by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).<\/p>\n

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\"Julianne<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Julianne Moore attends the “The Room Next Door” Premiere at Pathe Palace on December 16, 2024, in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Moore took to Instagram on February 16, 2025, to share her dismay over the decision, which she attributes to the Trump administration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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U.S. President Donald Trump takes a question from a reporter after Tulsi Gabbard is sworn in as Director of National Intelligence in the Oval Office at the White House on February 12, 2025, in Washington, DC | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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In her post, Moore described “Freckleface Strawberry” as a deeply personal and semi-autobiographical story about a seven-year-old girl who initially dislikes her freckles but eventually embraces them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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She wrote the book to teach children about self-acceptance,\u00a0noting<\/a> that “we all struggle, but are united by our humanity and our community.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The 64-year-old actress, who is a proud graduate of Frankfurt American High School \u2014 a DoD school once located in Germany \u2014 expressed particular disappointment that students in similar circumstances would not have access to her book.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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She highlighted her strong military ties, mentioning that her father was a Vietnam War veteran who dedicated his career to the U.S. Army.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“It is galling for me to realize that kids like me, growing up with a parent in the service and attending a @dodea_edu school, will not have access to a book written by someone whose life experience is so similar to their own,” she\u00a0stated.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Moore\u00a0went on to say,<\/a> “And I can’t help but wonder what is so controversial about this picture book that cause it to be banned by the US Government.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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She also expressed sadness over the restriction, emphasizing her belief in the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Moore concluded her post by thanking PEN America, an organization dedicated to protecting free expression, for bringing the issue to her attention.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Originally published in 2007,\u00a0“Freckleface Strawberry”<\/a>\u00a0follows the journey of a young girl who sees herself as just like everyone else \u2014 except for her red hair and freckles, which make her feel different.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Actress Julianne Moore reads her new children’s book “Freckleface Strawbery” at J. Crew on November 15, 2007, in New York City | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Over time, she learns to embrace these unique features, ultimately understanding that individuality is what makes people special. The book, aimed at young readers, promotes themes of self-acceptance and confidence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Actress Julianne Moore’s new children’s book “Freckleface Strawbery” at J. Crew on November 15, 2007, in New York City | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), which oversees schools for military families, has stated that the restriction is part of an ongoing review of instructional materials.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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According to DoDEA spokesman Will Griffin, the agency is ensuring compliance with two executive orders issued by President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an executive order signing in the Oval Office at the White House on February 11, 2025, in Washington, DC | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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These orders limit discussions on transgender topics and seek to prevent what the administration\u00a0refers to as<\/a>\u00a0“radical indoctrination” in schools that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In a statement, Griffin explained that DoDEA is currently assessing its library collections and teaching materials.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Books that fall under the categories of “gender ideology or discriminatory equity ideology,” as\u00a0defined<\/a>\u00a0in Trump’s orders, are being temporarily relocated to a separate collection for review. During this process, access to these books is restricted to professional staff members.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order withholding federal funding from schools and universities that impose a COVID-19 vaccine mandate in the Oval Office at the White House on February 14, 2025, in Washington, DC | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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A recent memo circulated by the Department of Defense also confirmed that the agency is\u00a0reviewing<\/a>\u00a0a “small number of items” that may be affected by these policies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Among the books under scrutiny is “Freckleface Strawberry,” which is aimed at children between four and eight years old and tells the story of a young girl learning to embrace her freckles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Actresses Julianne Moore (L) and Hayley Podschun attend the “Freckleface Strawberry The Musical” photocall at New World Stages on September 23, 2010, in New York City | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Moore has previously spoken about how “Freckleface Strawberry” is deeply personal, drawing inspiration from her own childhood experiences.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Actress Julianne Moore and her daughter Liv Helen Freundlich attend the Reed Krakoff fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2014 on September 11, 2013, in New York City | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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In a 2013 interview with Entertainment Weekly, she described the main character as a reflection of herself at age seven \u2014 short, playful, and struggling with self-consciousness over her freckles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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She emphasized that the character is not a princess or a magical figure but rather a regular child navigating everyday challenges.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Julianne Moore is seen on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” season 5, dated May 23, 2013 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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When discussing how she approaches writing the books, Moore explained that she considers what is important to a young child.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“I think children’s concerns are different than adult concerns, and they see the world differently,” she\u00a0said.<\/a>\u00a0The “Hannibal” alum also noted that her goal is to capture the perspective of a child rather than an adult looking back.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Julianne Moore attends the “Freckleface Strawberry the Musical” & “PETER PANtomime” benefit performances at the Manhattan Movement & Arts Center on December 10, 2011, in New York City | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The “Freckleface Strawberry” series includes stories inspired by real events from Moore’s life. She recalled how much she disliked dodgeball as a child, using that memory as the basis for one of the books.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rather than hiding from the game, she would deliberately step forward and get hit early to avoid being the last one standing. “For me, dodgeball was torture,” she\u00a0admitted,<\/a>\u00a0explaining why she felt it was a relatable experience for children.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Julianne Moore sits with Jorge, age 2 1\/2 reads from her book, Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully, to the Children’s Health Fund’s New York Program in New York on April 2010 to kick-off Connect Kids to Care program | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Moore has often joked that her children’s books serve as an alternative way of sharing her autobiography. “I always make jokes, like when I talk about the books, I’m like, ‘They’re all autobiographies!'” she\u00a0said<\/a>\u00a0with a laugh.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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While the stories are fictionalized, they remain grounded in experiences that shaped her own childhood.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Julianne<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Julianne Moore attends the “Freckleface Strawberry the Musical” & “PETER PANtomime” benefit performances at the Manhattan Movement & Arts Center on December 10, 2011, in New York City | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Since its debut in 2007, “Freckleface Strawberry” has\u00a0grown into a popular series<\/a>\u00a0aimed at helping children embrace their differences.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The books feature bright illustrations, simple language, and repetitive sentence structures, making them accessible to young readers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Julianne Moore attends A Private Reading Of Her New Childrens Book “Freckleface Strawberry” at the J Crew Store in Soho, New York, on October 14, 2007 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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As part of the Step Into Reading program, the books are designed for children who are beginning to read independently but may still need some guidance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Actress and author Julianne Moore reads her book “Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully” to students at PS 142 during DIOR And Fund For Public Schools Celebrate Shop For Public Schools kickoff at PS 142 on October 1, 2009, in New York City | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The restriction of “Freckleface Strawberry” in some U.S. military-run schools has sparked concern, particularly for\u00a0Julianne Moore,<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>who based the book on her own childhood experiences.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Actress-author Julianne Moore at a private reading of her new children’s book “Freckleface Strawberry” on November 14, 2007, at the J. Crew Store in SoHo, New York City | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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As the Department of Defense reviews its library collections under new policy guidelines, the debate over book bans and their impact on children\u2019s literature continues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The “Still Alice” actress never expected her beloved children’s book to end up on a banned list \u2014 but now, she’s speaking out. Academy Award-winning actress and author … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":22138,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22137"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22137\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22139,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22137\/revisions\/22139"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/22138"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}