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Freckleface Strawberry #3
Freckleface Strawberry: Best Friends Forever
Freckleface Strawberry and Windy Pants Patrick are as different as can be-but that doesn't stop them from being the best of friends. After all, they have a lot of important things in common, like having families and liking recess and loving books. But the rest of the kids don't see it that way. They think that girls and boys are just too different to be friends. So one day, Freckleface decides NOT to play with Windy Pants Patrick. And he decides not to play with her. And nothing really changes . . . or does it? She still eats lunch and plays and reads books-and so does he. So why don't those things feel fun anymore?
Witty, warmhearted, and brought to life with LeUyen Pham's gentle hilarity, Julianne Moore's latest book celebrates the importance of recognizing-and keeping-a true friend.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published February 2, 2011
1 person is currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Julianne Moore
29 books61 followersJulianne Moore is an American actress.
In October 2007, Moore made her literary debut with the publication of Freckleface Strawberry, a children's book based on her experiences as a child. In April 2009, Moore followed up with a second children's book titled Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully.
In October 2007, Moore made her literary debut with the publication of Freckleface Strawberry, a children's book based on her experiences as a child. In April 2009, Moore followed up with a second children's book titled Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 16, 2012
I really liked book #1. This is book #3. Book #2 is on its way from the library. I can’t believe I’m reading these “out of order” but I suspect it won’t make any difference with these particular books.
This is another sweet story. It seamlessly (well pretty much seamlessly) manages to say some things about diversity being good, via a friendship between a girl and a boy both odd kids out in some ways, and also showing two different family configurations, including one with two mothers. I love how both kids enjoy so many of the same things, particularly reading, naturally, but also museums, playing pretend, and things most kids have in common such as liking lunch. I think most kids will appreciate how the two best friends Freckleface Strawberry and Windy Pants have nicknames.
It’s a fine story for showing how it’s good to stick with your true friends and especially to your true feelings, no matter what pressure to do otherwise is received from others.
This is a good book for kids who feel different, who are looking for a good friendship story, and/or for starting a discussion about sticking to one’s true feelings and beliefs and not letting others’ opinions get in the way of that.
The illustrations are really cute and they do a great job helping to tell the story.
This works fine as a standalone book, but I’m glad I read book #1 first, and I do plan to read book #2 soon.
3 ½ stars
This is another sweet story. It seamlessly (well pretty much seamlessly) manages to say some things about diversity being good, via a friendship between a girl and a boy both odd kids out in some ways, and also showing two different family configurations, including one with two mothers. I love how both kids enjoy so many of the same things, particularly reading, naturally, but also museums, playing pretend, and things most kids have in common such as liking lunch. I think most kids will appreciate how the two best friends Freckleface Strawberry and Windy Pants have nicknames.
It’s a fine story for showing how it’s good to stick with your true friends and especially to your true feelings, no matter what pressure to do otherwise is received from others.
This is a good book for kids who feel different, who are looking for a good friendship story, and/or for starting a discussion about sticking to one’s true feelings and beliefs and not letting others’ opinions get in the way of that.
The illustrations are really cute and they do a great job helping to tell the story.
This works fine as a standalone book, but I’m glad I read book #1 first, and I do plan to read book #2 soon.
3 ½ stars
February 12, 2012
Freckleface Strawberry and Windy Pants Patrick are best friends. They have lots of things in common: nicknames, families, eating lunch, reading books, going to the museum, and love for playing. One day, at school, the other boys and girls start to point out Freckleface Strawberry and Windy Pants Patrick's differences. The two start to drift apart. Are they two different to be best friends?
Moore and Pham have something special here. The text and illustrations are appealing to children because they will be able to relate to the characters. I appreciated that Moore included a diverse family type without making a huge deal about it. Additionally, it sends a message to children that friendships are stronger than differences. I can't wait to read more Freckleface Strawberry books.
Moore and Pham have something special here. The text and illustrations are appealing to children because they will be able to relate to the characters. I appreciated that Moore included a diverse family type without making a huge deal about it. Additionally, it sends a message to children that friendships are stronger than differences. I can't wait to read more Freckleface Strawberry books.
September 16, 2011
Freckleface Strawberry and her best friend Windypants couldn't look any more different, she's a girl, he's a boy. She's short, and he's tall. She has red hair and freckles, and he doesn't. She has a mom & dad and he has two moms, and yet despite these differences these two have so much in common. They love to read, go to the museum, play games and do a lot of things most young children enjoy doing. Once they're at school they learn a wonderful lesson about being true to yourself and loving your friends for who they are.
As a parent reading this to me kids, I not only admire the way Julianne wrote the story, I loved how my kids reacted to it. Freckleface Strawberry's message of the importance of being friends and embracing the differences we have is powerful for young readers. The message is simple. It's knowing/learning that despite what other people may say about our friends or us, it's important to love yourself and your friends, because no matter what we look like or what we like or don't like, we're all the same.
This is a really great story that I think children will be able to relate to and take something away from. Especially those who are learning to adapt in elementary school for the first time. I'd definitely recommend picking it up.
As a parent reading this to me kids, I not only admire the way Julianne wrote the story, I loved how my kids reacted to it. Freckleface Strawberry's message of the importance of being friends and embracing the differences we have is powerful for young readers. The message is simple. It's knowing/learning that despite what other people may say about our friends or us, it's important to love yourself and your friends, because no matter what we look like or what we like or don't like, we're all the same.
This is a really great story that I think children will be able to relate to and take something away from. Especially those who are learning to adapt in elementary school for the first time. I'd definitely recommend picking it up.
October 21, 2018
Cute story about people who are different getting along, but if I have to say "Windy Pants Patrick" one more time I'll throw the book across the room. Ugh.
June 28, 2012
First thoughts: Could this book be any sweeter? I love it. Windy Pants Patrick is back as Freckleface Strawberry’s best friend. The other kids thought they were too different to be best friends, let alone friends. So even though it was their differences (from others) that brought them together (both being odd sizes, having nicknames, and families who love them, loving to read and eat lunch), their differences viewed differently, however, could keep them apart. Classic scenarios where boys don’t play with girls and vice versa ala “boys stink.” Each gender and height and interest and family make-up has its own place—so they really don’t have enough in common. Except they do. And it is a nice aspect to the story how they drift apart and drift back together again. While the reader/listener understands social dynamics and has probably witnessed or experienced the story themselves, we are rooting for the friendship—and likely inspired.
The story feels too real to be message-y. It is another snapshot from Freckleface Strawberry’s life and again it just resonates. I would have loved to have read these to N when she was younger. Moore and Pham offer very relevant, if not strictly entertaining work. Fortunately, Natalya isn’t too grown-up to read picture books and found Freckleface Strawberry charming and fun—and familiar.
The presentation of the book is fun and colorful, but not overwhelming—simply stated and straightforward in language and illustration; and yet the texture is there. While Pham provides more color and setting, I thought about Ian Falconer’s Olivia and how much of an impact an inked figure of a pig in a tutu could have. There is no mistaking the driving force in the text and images in either Olivia or Freckleface Strawberry.
L (omphaloskepsis)
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/20...
The story feels too real to be message-y. It is another snapshot from Freckleface Strawberry’s life and again it just resonates. I would have loved to have read these to N when she was younger. Moore and Pham offer very relevant, if not strictly entertaining work. Fortunately, Natalya isn’t too grown-up to read picture books and found Freckleface Strawberry charming and fun—and familiar.
The presentation of the book is fun and colorful, but not overwhelming—simply stated and straightforward in language and illustration; and yet the texture is there. While Pham provides more color and setting, I thought about Ian Falconer’s Olivia and how much of an impact an inked figure of a pig in a tutu could have. There is no mistaking the driving force in the text and images in either Olivia or Freckleface Strawberry.
L (omphaloskepsis)
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/20...
May 9, 2012
Two best friends, Helen (Freckleface Strawberry) and Patrick (Windy Pants)did everything together. From reading books, taking trips to the mall, and roller skating down the street, this boy and girl were inseparable. Unfortunately, their friendship was not accepted by the rest of their peers. "Boy aren't supposed to hang out with girls." So one day Freckleface and Windy decided to part ways. They still participated in all of their normal activities, but they came to discover that it just wasn't the same. Do differences really matter, when the similarities are more important? These companions come to determine that it doesn't matter what others think, they make each other happy and that is what counts.
This book is tangible proof that celebrities CAN write children's stories! How many times in our lives does the pressure of conformity effect our choices in friends or activities? This is a narrative almost everyone can relate to, regardless of cultural, social, or economic background.
Had their been a different panel of judges, I believe this book should have won the Caldecott for 2012. LeUyen Pham provides illustrations that are vibrant, yet simple. The reader is able to connect with the characters' emotions with the turn of every page. The visuals alone could tell the story, and this fact alone is evidence enough for why it should have been honored.
This book is tangible proof that celebrities CAN write children's stories! How many times in our lives does the pressure of conformity effect our choices in friends or activities? This is a narrative almost everyone can relate to, regardless of cultural, social, or economic background.
Had their been a different panel of judges, I believe this book should have won the Caldecott for 2012. LeUyen Pham provides illustrations that are vibrant, yet simple. The reader is able to connect with the characters' emotions with the turn of every page. The visuals alone could tell the story, and this fact alone is evidence enough for why it should have been honored.
July 12, 2012
Age: K - 3rd grade
"Freckleface Strawberry and Windy Pants Patrick are as different as can be-but that doesn't stop them from being the best of friends. After all, they have a lot of important things in common, like having families and liking recess and loving books. But the rest of the kids don't see it that way. They think that girls and boys are just too different to be friends. So one day, Freckleface decides NOT to play with Windy Pants Patrick. And he decides not to play with her. And nothing really changes . . . or does it? She still eats lunch and plays and reads books-and so does he. So why don't those things feel fun anymore?" (Goodreads feature review).
An honest portrayal of a friendship duo, both unique and similar in endearing ways. Comic-like presentation with speech bubbles.
"Freckleface Strawberry and Windy Pants Patrick are as different as can be-but that doesn't stop them from being the best of friends. After all, they have a lot of important things in common, like having families and liking recess and loving books. But the rest of the kids don't see it that way. They think that girls and boys are just too different to be friends. So one day, Freckleface decides NOT to play with Windy Pants Patrick. And he decides not to play with her. And nothing really changes . . . or does it? She still eats lunch and plays and reads books-and so does he. So why don't those things feel fun anymore?" (Goodreads feature review).
An honest portrayal of a friendship duo, both unique and similar in endearing ways. Comic-like presentation with speech bubbles.
Read
October 4, 2012Summary: This book was about a girl nick-named Freckleface Strawberry and a boy named Windy Pants, for reasons he decided not to discuss. In the beginning the two do everything together, they are bestfriends. But eventually they let others talk them into not hanging out with each other. At the end, they realize that they are best friends and always will be.
Audience: This is a picture book intended for beginning readers.
Citation: Moore, J., & Pham, L. (2011). Freckleface Strawberry: best friends forever. New York: Bloomsbury.
My Thoughts: The story had a good lesson in it about being friends with some who is different than you is okay and you shouldn’t let anyone else tell you different. The pictures were a little boring and there was the questionable matter that Windy Pants has “two moms.” This is something that as a teacher I would not want to bring up for discussion.
Audience: This is a picture book intended for beginning readers.
Citation: Moore, J., & Pham, L. (2011). Freckleface Strawberry: best friends forever. New York: Bloomsbury.
My Thoughts: The story had a good lesson in it about being friends with some who is different than you is okay and you shouldn’t let anyone else tell you different. The pictures were a little boring and there was the questionable matter that Windy Pants has “two moms.” This is something that as a teacher I would not want to bring up for discussion.
August 11, 2015
I tried to like it. "Windy Pants" isn't the sort of nickname or slang that I like to find in picture books.
What mystified me was the significance of Freckleface and Windy-Pants both liking to eat lunch but not in the cafeteria. Are there people who don't as a rule like to eat lunch? What does this say about school lunch? It reminds me too much of "Frozen," and Anna and Hans' hasty, ill-founded relationship.
"Isn't it crazy, the way we finish each other's--"
"Sandwiches!"
"That's what I was going to say!"
Cue Garfield face.
Sandwiches, hot dogs, falafel, whatever.
Even though the book is ostensibly about the friendship, the "fundamental" differences between Freckleface and Windy-Pants are a little too strongly asserted. The characters choose to overlook them because of what they have in common, but the conclusion of the book is not that those differences don't matter. Wishy washy.
What mystified me was the significance of Freckleface and Windy-Pants both liking to eat lunch but not in the cafeteria. Are there people who don't as a rule like to eat lunch? What does this say about school lunch? It reminds me too much of "Frozen," and Anna and Hans' hasty, ill-founded relationship.
"Isn't it crazy, the way we finish each other's--"
"Sandwiches!"
"That's what I was going to say!"
Cue Garfield face.
Sandwiches, hot dogs, falafel, whatever.
Even though the book is ostensibly about the friendship, the "fundamental" differences between Freckleface and Windy-Pants are a little too strongly asserted. The characters choose to overlook them because of what they have in common, but the conclusion of the book is not that those differences don't matter. Wishy washy.
January 23, 2012
Freckleface Strawberry and Windy Pants Patrick used to not like each other at all (see Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully), but now they're best buds. Is that weird? Nah... or maybe?
I think this would make a terrific read-aloud for younger elementary classrooms and discussions on friendship. Most kids will tell you that boys and girls can't be best friends unless you press the subject. This is a non-threatening, fun way to begin the conversation.
I think this would make a terrific read-aloud for younger elementary classrooms and discussions on friendship. Most kids will tell you that boys and girls can't be best friends unless you press the subject. This is a non-threatening, fun way to begin the conversation.
October 24, 2012
Windy Pants and Freckleface Strawberry are BFF...until some of their other friends start making comments and questioning why and how they could ever possibly be friends with one another. The Best Friends slowly start looking at one another through their friends eyes and stop hanging out for a while. Until they realize that their differences aren't so bad after all and they miss one another terribly. Great story about friends and peer pressure and overcoming differences.
May 10, 2017
Great book for kids to show that maybe you should not let others opinions interfere with your own thoughts and feelings. Freckleface Strawberry and Windy Pants have been best friends because they are odd ducks, their differences making them feel the same. When their classmates point out that playing with the opposite sex is not good, they unfortunately buy into that logic.
December 11, 2011
This is a sweet story about friendship. The narrative is short and fairly simple, but tells an important story about being true to one's friends, no matter what others say. Both the story and the illustrations are just as good as the first two books in this series. We enjoyed reading this story together.
May 30, 2015
I'm a sucker for stories about friendship. It seems that there is always something to be learned and discussed from them. This one could be shared with students of all ages, because at some point, kids start getting caught up on what's cool and what's not, and doing what everyone else thinks is right. Using this book as a discussion for that could start a great conversation!
January 1, 2017
Honestly, I had 10 books to go in my 2016 book challenge so I finished with children's board books. I read all 10 in about 40 minutes.
I picked this book because I like Julianne Moore and I'd heard about her books but hadn't read one. A nice story about friendship and appreciating all parts of that friendship.
I picked this book because I like Julianne Moore and I'd heard about her books but hadn't read one. A nice story about friendship and appreciating all parts of that friendship.
January 31, 2017
This is a sweet book about teaching children to be friends with all different kinds of people. Especially when they are not exactly like you. Sometimes, you find your best friends in the places you would never imagine. I love this book because it is about going out of your comfort zone to meet new people. I need to be reminded of it every now and then.
November 11, 2011
One of the Freckleface series, it is about being different yet being similar. This book is great for teaching children about being friends with many different types of people. This book can also be used to teach about the diverse types of families out there.
March 11, 2012
Julianne Moore jumps on the celebrity picture book writing bandwagon. Two unlikely children become friends. Great mesage about appreciating others differences. Loved the reference of the boy having two moms; great to see this change reflected in children's stories.
February 19, 2013
Freckleface Strawberry and Windy Pants Patrick are very different. Their differences don't stop them from being the best of friends though. After all, if we were all the same it would be a very boring world.
September 25, 2011
I liked this although it is awfully predictable, didactic, and easily resolved. I do have to remind myself that is what many kids like.
October 4, 2011
Another pleasant installment from Moore. LeUyen Pham continues to rock my world.
October 12, 2011
Pleasant but quite predictable.
February 9, 2012
A pure delight for kids! Julianne Moore gets better at writing as she goes along! Maybe she can write for grown-ups as well!
March 2, 2012
Cute development of friendship and appreciation of differences... wonderful continuation of Freckleface Strawberry story.
July 1, 2012
Japanese brush pen and digitally colored illustrations. Limited palette - Green, Yellow, Red - tiny touches of gray, blue, purple.
Prose main text with interspersed word and thought bubbles.
Prose main text with interspersed word and thought bubbles.
September 20, 2012
A cute tale of true friendship. This true friendship is put to the test when outside forces begin to meddle and the power of peer pressure rears its ugly head.
September 22, 2012
Talks about friends, gender differences, and that we're all people. Eh...
July 12, 2013
This was a very cute book that helped children learn that just because you are a girl, you must play with a girl and do girly things and vise versa as a boy.
July 13, 2014
A gorgeous book about friendship, difference and peer pressure, with just the right amount of humour.
April 6, 2015
This is a sweet children's book about resisting peer pressure, accepting people’s differences, and having true friendships. The illustrations are delightful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews