Celebrated actress and lifelong redhead Julianne Moore was nicknamed “Freckleface Strawberry” when she was seven years old.
Growing up, she was teased about her freckles and auburn mane. “It was something I found humiliating,” said Julianne. “I hated my freckles and I didn’t really love having red hair. But once I grew up, I realized it wasn’t such a terrible name after all!”
Julianne turned that childhood teasing and nickname into the title of her bestselling children’s book series, Freckleface Strawberry. In the charming series, seven-year-old Freckleface Strawberry learns how to love her pesky freckles – and herself – with the help of good friends.
Now, the beloved story has made the transition from the page to the stage. Freckleface the Musical is an entertaining parade of dancing, music and laughter with an endearing message of self-acceptance. Julianne teamed up with Producer Rose Caiola and Gary Kupper to bring the family-friendly show to Manhattan Movement & Arts Center Theater.
This weekend, celeb mom Julianne stopped by a matinee show for a special event hosted by Denise Albert and Melissa Gerstein, also known as The Moms. The Moms invited – you guessed it – other moms and their little ones to see the show and meet Julianne. Adorable tot attendees asked Julianne some tough questions like, “Where do freckles come from?” while most mom bloggers just had one question: “How do you do it!?”
Denise Albert, Julianne Moore, Rose Caiola and Melissa Gerstein
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Julianne, what made you decide to write the character of Freckleface to teach kids that being different is special?
JM: Freckleface Strawberry was a way to write about the experience that I had as a child, and then what happens when you grow up. Things won’t always change, but you’ll feel differently about them. I still don’t like my freckles, but there are things I care about more. I have a family, children, a job and a life. All the other things go to the bottom of the pile.
Why is it important to get kids excited about reading at a young age?
JM: It’s an understatement to say that reading is a gateway to the rest of your life. If you can read, you can do anything!
What’s next for Freckleface? Any more books?
JM: I hope so! I actually have another children’s book coming out, not in the Freckleface series, called My Mom is a Foreigner. It’s about the experience of growing up with a mom from a different country.
Moms, did you resonate with Freckleface?
The Moms: Absolutely – it celebrates the imperfections that children have. As a mother, we struggle with how to teach our children how to feel good about things they don’t necessarily like about themselves. You want to show your children that it’s okay that nobody is perfect.
What is The Moms all about?
The Moms: The Moms is all about the conversation. We’re celebrating motherhood and showcasing all the different stories of moms out there, so we can all learn from each other.
How do you balance being a mom and your work?
The Moms: When you’re with your kids, be present. Hide the iPhone and turn the ringer off. When you walk in your door from your working day, be there for them.
click through the gallery below of the event
Photos by Chris New