The Trump Administration has prohibited the use of Julianne Moore’s 2007 children’s book “Freckleface Strawberry” in schools administered by the Department of Defense, as the “Far from Heaven” actress revealed on her Instagram account on Sunday morning.
“I am deeply shocked to discover that my debut book, ‘Freckleface Strawberry,’ has been barred by the Trump Administration from Department of Defense-operated schools,” Moore expressed. “‘Freckleface Strawberry’ tells a semi-autobiographical tale of a seven-year-old girl who is unhappy with her freckles, yet eventually learns to embrace them, recognizing that she is different ‘just like everybody else.’ This book was created for my children and other kids to remind them that while we face struggles, we are all connected by our shared humanity and community.”
The official description of “Freckleface Strawberry” states: “If you have freckles, you might consider these options: 1) Make them disappear. Unless scrubbing doesn’t do the trick. 2) Cover them up. Unless your mom gets upset for using a marker. 3) Vanish. Oh, there you are. One more thing you can choose: 4) LIVE WITH THEM! Because after all, the unique traits that set you apart also define who you are. From renowned actress Julianne Moore and distinguished illustrator LeUyen Pham comes a heartwarming story about a little girl who is unique … just like everyone else.”
Moore, an alumna of the DoD-operated Frankfurt American High School and the daughter of a Vietnam veteran, remarked that she felt particularly disheartened that “children like me, who grew up with a parent in the military and attended a [DoDEA] school, will not have access to a book created by someone whose experiences mirror their own.”
“I can’t help but ponder what could be so controversial about this picture book that led to its ban by the US Government,” Moore added. “I am genuinely saddened and never imagined I would witness this in a country that values freedom of speech and expression as a constitutional right.”
Moore acknowledged the non-profit literary advocacy group Pen America for bringing the ban to her attention. Pen America’s own Instagram update highlighted that Kathleen Krull’s Ruth Bader Ginsburg picture book “No Truth Without Ruth” and Ellis Nutt’s “Becoming Nicole” were also restricted alongside “Freckleface Strawberry.”
