Miss Rumphius

Rating:
Summary: OK
Review: Beautiful illustrations! But the story in itself is a little bland. Sure, Alice Rumphius is very noble and ends up following her heart and listening to her grandfather, but... Somehow i was left wishing for more. Maybe some drama?

Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Book of All Time
Review: I received this book on my 8th birthday & begged my mom to read it to me over & over again. It has left such a lasting memory with me. Now 26, my 3 year old daughter begs me to read it to her. I of course, jump at the chance. Every little girl needs to have this book in their collection.

Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Book of All Time
Review: I received this book on my 8th birthday & begged my mom to read it to me over & over again. It has left such a lasting memory with me. Now 26, my 3 year old daughter begs me to read it to her. I of course, jump at the chance. Every little girl needs to have this book in their collection.

Rating:
Summary: Answers THAT question from a child
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Answers THAT question from a child
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Magical simplicity for a more beautiful world!
Review: Miss Rumphius is everything that a child's book should be! It is filled with the beauty of simple things and simple acts that have magical results!

I always think of Maine when I read this book, and plan to give it as a gift to our out of town friends this summer as they share our daughter's Maine wedding by the sea with us! I will ask each of them to share Miss Rumphius with a child. Bravo to Barbara Cooney!

Rating:
Summary: Miss Rumphius
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: wonderful book about an inwardly strong woman
Review: This book is a wonderful story about a woman who set a course for her life and followed it. She told her grandfather that she wanted to be like him when she grew up, and travel and live by the sea. He let her know that there was more to life than that and that she must also make that world a more beautiful place. Follow Miss Rumphius as she fills her lifes dreams and the wonderful way she makes life more beautiful for all of us. Barabara Cooney also helps to make the world a little gentler with this wonderful story you will want to share with your daughter.

Rating:
Summary: Miss Rumphius
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.