Julianne Moore Debuts Freckleface Strawberry

Julianne Moore joins the growing list of celebrity moms writing children's books. Her new book "Freckleface Strawberry" hits shelves this week and features a 7-year-old girl who's "just like everyone else" except for her red hair and Freckles. She recently sat down and talked with USA Today about being a mother, actress, and new author.

Here are some highlights from the interview:

On her inspiration for the book:
When I was 7 (in Omaha), the other kids called me "Freckleface Strawberry." I hated it. But they were just calling it like they saw it, even when they said things like "You look dirty," and "Can I smell them?"



On her dedication of the book to her "own not-so-freckled strawberries" (son Cal, 9, and daughter Liz, 5):
I wrote it for them. In tone, Freckleface Strawberry is more like my daughter than me. She has a lot more personality than I did at her age. She's more sure of herself. She's more of a spunky kid.

On the moral of the book:
I started it when my son was 7 and starting to notice how he looks. It's a sweet moment, but it's also an upsetting time — for the next 20 years or so, you can be obsessed by your big feet or your big teeth or your crazy hair — before you come out on the other end and say, "I may not like parts of how I look, but there's not a whole lot I can do about it."



On becoming a celebrity writer:
There's something slightly embarrassing about that. But I wanted to be published because I loved books as a kid and I love them now.

On taking a break from films:
For now, I'm just taking it easy and spending time with my kids.

Freckleface Strawberry is available now at bookstores and online here.