So I see on TV that Julianne Moore is releasing her second children's book, Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully. What is the deal with celebrities writing children's books? It's just another way for them to stroke their egos and for stupid celebrity lovers to buy something just because it has a famous name on it. Why do celebrities have to do everything now-a-days? What happened to celebrating people who perfect their art and craft through a lifetime of dedication? There are people out there that focus on being just one really great person, be it a musician, author, painter, designer etc. Why do celebrities have to cash in on everyone's dreams and careers? Do they all have to be mega-millionaires and known by every age group?
The celebrity use of children's books particular drives me crazy because they all think they have this knew and fresh take on the genre. Why? Because either they were children themselves (like all of us have been) or they've had children (like 95% of the population). So by those qualifications, everyone on the planet can write a children's book that would bring a fresh perspective to the genre.
The celebrity use of children's books particular drives me crazy because they all think they have this knew and fresh take on the genre. Why? Because either they were children themselves (like all of us have been) or they've had children (like 95% of the population). So by those qualifications, everyone on the planet can write a children's book that would bring a fresh perspective to the genre.
Question: What inspired you to create the character Freckleface Strawberry?
Julianne More: Freckleface Strawberry was a childhood nickname of mine. It was a name based on my copious amounts of freckles and long red hair. I found the name tragic and humiliating at the time--but with some distance (see above) it has become wildly amusing. So really these stories are based on my own childhood experiences and a sense of being at the center of my own drama--with a little of my kids' drama thrown in!
The main reason I have a problem with celebrity children's books in general is that there are already so many great children's books written by professional authors that have stood the test of time. Hello, Dr. Seuss? There are only so many years to grasp the attention of little readers and listeners, that I think the plethora of children's books on the market already satisfies and excedes the need.
Do we really need children's books by the following celebrities (yes, these are actually available): Larry King, Madonna, Jerry Seinfeld, John Travolta, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jeff Foxworthy and way too many more to list?
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