Actress and author Julianne Moore recently shared her deep disappointment after discovering that her children’s book ‘Freckleface Strawberry‘ was banned from Department of Defense (DoD) schools under the Trump administration. The ban was brought to Moore’s attention by PEN America, a non-profit organization advocating for literary freedom.
To express her thoughts, she took to Instagram and said she was “shocked and saddened” by the news, emphasizing that she never anticipated such an outcome for a book centered on self-acceptance and individuality. “I’m heartbroken to learn that my first children’s book has been banned by the Trump administration from schools operated by the Department of Defense,” she wrote.
The book was published in 2007 and illustrated by LeUyen Pham, ‘Freckleface Strawberry’ is a semi-autobiographical story that follows a seven year old girl struggling with her freckles. The narrative focuses on the protagonist’s journey from wanting to hide her freckles to ultimately embracing them. The book’s official synopsis encourages children to recognize that the traits that make them different are what make them special. Moore noted that she wrote the book for her children and other young readers to promote self-love and foster understanding of the shared human experience.
The actress’s connection to the Department of Defense schools is a personal one. Moore attended Frankfurt American High School in Germany, part of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) system and is the daughter of a Vietnam War veteran. In her statement, she expressed disappointment that children from military families many of whom share similar life experiences will no longer have access to her book.
“I’m especially saddened that kids like me, growing up with a parent in the military and attending DoDEA schools, won’t have the chance to read a story written by someone who understands their life experience,” Moore stated.
Moore also raised the question of why her book was deemed controversial. “I cannot understand what aspect of a children’s picture book about freckles led to its ban by the U.S. government,” she said. “This is deeply disheartening in a country that champions freedom of speech and expression as constitutional rights.”
According to PEN America, ‘Freckleface Strawberry’ was banned alongside Kathleen Krull’s ‘No Truth Without Ruth,’ which explores the life of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Ellis Nutt’s Becoming Nicole, a book about a transgender girl.
The decision to ban ‘Freckleface Strawberry’ highlights ongoing debates about access to diverse books in educational settings, leaving many to question the criteria behind such restrictions. Moore’s heartfelt response underscores her dedication to empowering children through literature and advocating for their right to read stories that reflect their own identities.
