Random House Children's Books has announced four-time Academy Award-nominated actor and author Julianne Moore is to extend her bestselling Freckleface Strawberry character to a new audience of first time readers with a five book deal, available through the company's Step into Reading series, which aims to encourage new readers to read on their own.

The first two books are set for release in summer 2015 and Moore commented 'I am so thrilled to bring Freckleface Strawberry to a new group of children - first time readers!'.