Miss Rumphius
by Barbara Cooney
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Book Reviews of Miss Rumphius
Book Review: Answers THAT question from a child
Summary: 5 Stars
Many children ask, in various ways, the meaning of life. And, as adults, we stutter and try to cough out some semblance of a meaningful answer that the child will understand. When my daughter was three, she literally asked, "Why are we here?" I had no idea how to answer.Almost on cue, we read this book a week later, and it answered the question perfectly. This is the story of a woman named Miss Rumphuis. As a child, she sat on her grandfather's knee and posed the very question as my daughter. His answer was one of the most simple, beautiful, and meaningful that I've ever read. I can't imagine anyone in this world arguing against it, no matter what religion (or non-religion), political persuasion, or culture.
The answer provides the impetus as to how Miss Rumphuis led the rest of her life. It seems as if nearly every reviewer has already given the entire plot, so it's no surprise that her grandfather's answer to why we are here is to simply make the world a more beautiful place. When my daughter heard that, her reply was, "Mommy, you've already made the world a more beautiful place." When I asked how, she replied, "By having me!" I couldn't begin to argue against such wisdom from one of God's small miracles.
This book may appear to be nothing more than a lovely illustrated child's book containing a heartfelt tale. Without a doubt, the illustrations are rich; Ms. Cooney is an extremely talented woman. However, I also believe its message (which is never, ever preachy) is extremely powerful. As such, it is my favorite children's book, and I think every child (and adult) on this earth should read it.
Book Review: Make the World More Beautiful.....
Summary: 5 Stars
When Alice was a little girl she lived in a village by the sea, and in the evenings would sit on her grandfather's knee and listen to his stories of faraway places. It was then that she decided that when she grew up she too would travel the world, and then, when she grew old, come back home and live in a house by the sea. Her wise grandfather listened to her dreams and then made her promise to do one more thing. "You must do something to make the world more beautiful." Little Alice grew up; she was called Miss Rumphius now, and set out on her worldwide adventure. She visited tropical islands and beaches, climbed mountains, walked through jungles, and across deserts, making friends wherever she went. And when she was finished traveling, she went home to her house by the sea. But there was still one more thing Miss Rumphius had to do...fulfill the promise she made to her grandfather, and when she saw lupine flowers blooming outside her window, she knew just what she would do to make the world a more beautiful place..... Award winning author and illustrator, Barbara Cooney, has written a sweet and simple story, with a lovely message that reminds us all to take a little extra time and make the world a better place in which to live. Her gentle, eloquent text is enhanced by her beautiful and engaging illustrations that capture the imagination, and send it soaring. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, Miss Rumphius is a magical, heartwarming treasure, and a picture book to share with family and friends now, and future generations in the years to come.Book Review: I DO WISH THERE WAS MORE MISS RUMPHIUS IN ALL OF US.
Summary: 5 Stars
If you read only one book with your child this year, I certainly would recommend that this be the one. This little book carries one of the most profound messages I have ever read in either an adult book or a childs story. Why are we here? This is the question a little girl asks of her grandfather one day while setting on his knee. His answer, although simple, is one of the most thought provoking I think I have ever read. "Do something to make the world more beautiful," may at first seem simple, but when you think about it, it is probably the best advice you could give a child of any age, on this particular subject.
This story tells of this little girl as she grows older and graphically tell of how "Miss Rumphius" did just what her grandfather told her to do. Each of us need not choose Miss Rumphisus' method of making the world more beautiful, indeed we should not, but each of us has the capability, how ever small it may be in our own circumstances. What a wonderful lesson to teach children!
The story is beautifully told and the illustrations are of top quality in this book. The story is easy to read, easy to follow, and will certainly start your child thinking and asking questions. I really would recommend that you purchase a hard back on this one, as you will no doubt be giving this work quite a few rereads. I cannot recommend this one enough. (By the way, I use Morning Glories rather tha Lupines).
Book Review: Lovely! Holds interest of 3 yr old son!
Summary: 5 Stars
The story unfolds beautifully and tells a story with a moral so gentely that one doesn't feel like a moral has just been taught! Maybe moral isn't the word. More like a story in which a certain ethic is lived and demonstrated through the story. Illustrations are an equal component to the loveliness of the book.
During reading time, my son is usually still active, climbing furniture(literally) or otherwise messing around. But, as I read this book, he usually comes to my chair, stands still and ends the story in my lap, facinated! He then adds a thought at the end that the niece should also plant flowers. At 3 he is too young to realize that there are so many other ways to make the world beautiful but we talk about it and the flowers are a concrete visual that helps him remember this lesson.
Lovely nature book and wonderful nature book for children showing human encounters and interatction with nature. Demonstrates great stewardship of nature by humans.
It is not overly preachy and, although it uses flowers to make the world beautiful, it is not feel like a environmental book or an earth type book, that our lives should be subserviant to the earth's needs, nor does it make any references to "mother earth" etc. Just shows that by making our surroundings more beautful we bennifit ourselves and others.
Lovely book and lovely story!
Book Review: Miss Rumphius
Summary: 4 Stars
Miss Rumphius Story and pictures by Barbara Cooney Published by The Penguin Group New York.My favorite book as a child was Miss Rumphius, It's a book that makes you want to go out and do something .This book is a realistic fiction book but it is also a children's picture book containing many beautiful pictures This book is about Miss Rumphius and what great things she did in her life and how she accomplished her personal goals for example, Miss Rumphius she went out and saw the word and its beautiful features like when she went to the bahamas and came back with a beautiful shell.The only part of the book that isn't great is when she injures her back and is not abel to do the things she likes to do .
Miss Rumphisus is the main character and she does all the main rolls but some other rolls are her grandfather who gives her the motivation to do these things and her cat and the lupins. Miss Rumphius believes that every one should do something for the word .I fully Believe in what she thinks and hopefully I will be able to .
This book is a classic and always will be many people love this book and I am one of them If you have a child I highly recommend this book for you to read with them and I bet they aren't going to be the only ones that like it you will to .I believe this book also promotes Maine as a beautiful place Take some time read this book I promise you you won't regret it .