Miss. Rumphius

Miss Rumphius

Written and Illustrated by: Barbara Cooney

Age Group: 3rd - 5th Grade

Published: 1982

Miss Rumphius is an American Book Award Winner. It is the story of a young girl named Alice, who lived in a city by the sea.  Alice’s grandfather was an artist who created figureheads for the prows of ships and also carved Indians for the front of cigar shops. Alice’s grandfather was also a painter. He painted pictures and told Alice stories of beautiful far away places. Alice decided that when she grew up she would go to faraway places, live by the sea in her old age, and do something to make the world a more beautiful place. As Alice gets older she travels around the world and meets many people. After this, she settles down in a little house by the sea. She wonders how she can make the world more beautiful place when she stumbles upon the idea scattering Lupine flower seeds across the town. The next spring there are lupines everywhere and she is referred to as the "Lupine Lady" from then on.

I believe that there is a very strong lesson to be learned from this story. No matter who you are, young or old, living in an American City or a European countryside, you can do anything to make the world a more beautiful place. Miss Rumphius teaches us to take care of and to respect our world.

The pictures in this book are as beautiful as the story. Barbara Cooney’s art is vibrant and realistic. I can picture myself sitting along the sea or in the colorful field of flowers. She does an excellent job of putting her words into pictures.

I highly recommend this book. The story is important for young or old and can be used as an excellent lesson in a classroom. It can be integrated along side a science lesson or a geography lesson. It not only teaches about world but also the heart.