Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful parable about stewardship.
Review: This is one of my favorite books to read to children. Wonderfully illustrated, it is a very compelling story about a girl on a quest to see the world, live by the sea, and make the world more beautiful. It takes a lifetime for her to accomplish her goals, particularly the third, which is the hardest of all. She accomplishes this goal not once, but twice. The story leads to great discussions with kids about our obligations to our world and each other.
Rating:
Summary: A book that will stay in your heart forever.
Review: This is one of those rare picture books that is so beautiful and so wise that you ought to read it even if you donÕt have children. But if you have a child to share it with, do so immediately, and consider yourself privileged.In this book, you watch a little girl named Alice grow into an old, old woman, a retired librarian, named Miss Rumphius. Her life is filled with exciting adventures, but as she grows older, none of it feels like enough to her. She keeps recalling some advice her grandfather gave her when she was a child. He told her that in order to live a good life, she had to "do something to make the world more beautiful." But even as an old woman, she canÕt figure out what to do. Finally, realizing the joy sheÕs always gotten from flowers, especially lupines, she decides to share that joy with others by scattering lupine seeds everywhere she goes. She completely transforms the rocky landscape around her home. In the end, she tells her story to her young niece, who wonders how SHE will make the world more beautiful. And so the cycle continues. My daughter, who is six, has talked about this book several times, and told me she hasnÕt yet figured out how she is going to make the world more beautiful. But the fact that she is thinking about it at such a young age makes me proud, and very happy to have found this lovely book to share with her.
Rating:
Summary: A book that will stay in your heart forever.
Review: This is one of those rare picture books that is so beautiful and so wise that you ought to read it even if you donÕt have children. But if you have a child to share it with, do so immediately, and consider yourself privileged. In this book, you watch a little girl named Alice grow into an old, old woman, a retired librarian, named Miss Rumphius. Her life is filled with exciting adventures, but as she grows older, none of it feels like enough to her. She keeps recalling some advice her grandfather gave her when she was a child. He told her that in order to live a good life, she had to "do something to make the world more beautiful." But even as an old woman, she canÕt figure out what to do. Finally, realizing the joy sheÕs always gotten from flowers, especially lupines, she decides to share that joy with others by scattering lupine seeds everywhere she goes. She completely transforms the rocky landscape around her home. In the end, she tells her story to her young niece, who wonders how SHE will make the world more beautiful. And so the cycle continues. My daughter, who is six, has talked about this book several times, and told me she hasnÕt yet figured out how she is going to make the world more beautiful. But the fact that she is thinking about it at such a young age makes me proud, and very happy to have found this lovely book to share with her.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite
Review: This will always be my all-time favorite book. This story spans four generations as we first meet Alice as a young girl who helps her grandfather. As a girl she proclaims, "I too will travel the world and come home to live by the sea." Her grandfather informs her that there is a third thing she must do, "something to make the world more beautiful." After a time of being "grown up" it hits Alice (Miss Rumphius) that she has not yet seen the world and she sets off at once. (I love this part - as that is exactly what happened to me and other 'world travelers' I know). She then returns home to live by the sea and next she must think of a way to make the world more beautiful. The story is narrated by the great-neice of Miss Rumpius so told from a child's perspective. This book has multiple beautiful messages for people of all ages. I have even given copies to freinds who are adults.
Rating: 
Summary: Miss Rumphius
Review: What an inspiration to all girls to read this book. Go out into the world, have adventures, and come back home. Most of all, leave the world a bit better than when you left it. If all of us heeded this advice, the world would be more peaceful and happier.
Rating:
Summary: This is a book that every girl should read...
Review: What an inspiration to all girls to read this book. Go out into the world, have adventures, and come back home. Most of all, leave the world a bit better than when you left it. If all of us heeded this advice, the world would be more peaceful and happier.
Rating:
Summary: Make the World More Beautiful.....
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A treasure to love and share!
Review: When Barbara Cooney died recently, I was saddened to think thatChildren's Literature had lost one of its beautiful talents. She hadso much to give and had such a lovely look at the world. MissRumphius is a favorite book of mine,and it always delights children with its simple yet gorgeous illustrations and words. A beautiful way to guide the development of children's views of the world !
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