Seeking adventure in faraway places, Miss Rumphius fulfills her dream and then sets out to make the world more beautiful.

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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.

46 of 51 found the following review helpful:

Miss RumphiusJul 19, 2000

The narrator's great aunt, Alice Rumphius, wanted to travel the world and do the one thing her grandfather told her she must do. He told her she must do something to make the world more beautiful. Miss Rumphius travels the world and comes back to live by the sea where the story began. She discovered her way of making the world more beautiful was scattering flower seeds so everyone could enjoy the beauty of the colorful flowers. The story ends with Miss Rumphius telling her great-neice that she must do something to make the world more beautiful.

Teacher Notes: This book would be excellent to read if you were doing a unit on plants or the earth. Even though this book is fiction, realistic things happen like the wind and birds scattering flower seeds. Kindergarten and first grade would enjoy having this book read aloud to them. Second and third graders could read it on their own.

11 of 11 found the following review helpful:

Every child, teacher, and librarian should own this book!Mar 10, 1999

This beautiful book is also a biography of the author's great Aunt Alice Rumphius, who when she was a little girl, told her grandfather that she wanted to live by the sea, and visit foreign lands. Her grandfather also encouraged her to do someting to make the world more beautiful. That she did, by planting wildflowers year after year. In the end of the story the author was told by her great aunt to make the world more beautiful, but she still doesn't know how. I think that Barbara Cooney made the world more beautiful by writing this book. I would like to buy one as a present, and I hope this never goes out of print.

13 of 15 found the following review helpful:

Make the World More Beautiful.....Jun 04, 2002
By Roz Levine
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.

7 of 7 found the following review helpful:

Wise and Delightful Tale is a Favorite GiftJul 06, 2001
By west
A joy for my daughters and me to read when they were little - and not so little! - Miss Rumphius is now my favorite gift book for kids between 5 and 9 years old. The illustrations alone are rich and delightful. They accompany a profound yet accessible story about what makes a life worthwhile. Barbara Cooney gives us the always-interesting life of Alice Rumphius from her seaport childhood to her grown-up travels and her triumphant old age, when she becomes "the lupine lady" who spreads flowers wherever she goes. The story comes full circle as the lively elderly Alice passes on her wisdom to her young niece and her friends. The illustrations add depth to the story and provide an excellent springboard for discussion. A perfect book for pre-readers and young readers!

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