Module 2: Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

Module 2: Classics

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

Cooney, B. (1982). Miss Rumphius. New York, NY: Penguin Group.

Plot Summary:
Miss Rumphius depicts the life and travels of a woman named Alice, the narrator's great-aunt, who has set out to accomplish three goals which were inspired by her grandfather. Her grandfather had been a traveler and Alice wanted to go to faraway places as well. Her grandfather brought to life a home at the sea through his work as an artist, so Alice wanted to live by the sea. The last goal was a request by her grandfather: "You must do something to make the world more beautiful."

When Alice grows up, her need to travel grew with the books she read at the library and the tropical feel of the conservatory in the park. So Alice, also known as Miss Rumphius at this point, went to a real tropical island. She walked along beaches, saw exotic animals and befriended the king of a fishing village, Bapa Raja. She continued her travels over mountains, through jungles and across desserts. After injuring herself getting off a camel, she decided it was time to settle down by the sea.

Although Alice was content with her life by the sea, she still needed to make the world more beautiful. It wasn't until after she recovered from an illness that she discovered her calling: lupines. During her illness, lupine seed from her garden had been carried by the elements to the other side of the hill. And like the wind, Alice began to spread lupine seeds. Alice continued her work until the entire area was covered in lupines and she had accomplished her goal of making the world more beautiful. 

Impressions:
Miss Rumphius sends out an inspiring message about making the world a more beautiful place. It sends out a message that even small acts can create big results. By spreading the seeds from her garden on her walks, Miss Rumphius brought color and beauty to her home and the surrounding areas. While the picture book had a sweet message and beautiful artwork, it didn't grab me. I didn't feel engaged in the book. I would have loved to have heard more about the journey of Miss Rumphius around the world, but the book cuts those tales short in favor of the lupine story.  The lupines being Miss Rumphius' legacy fell short for a lady who we presume had a very interesting life.

Reviews:

Kirkus Reviews. (1982, October 11). Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney. 
Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/barbara-cooney/miss-rumphius/

"You might almost believe that Barbara Cooney had a Great-Aunt Alice Rumphius who dd just as we read here -- else why go to the trouble of spinning out a yarn, composed of transparent storybook motifs (an elderly grandfather who carves ships' figureheads; travels to exotic places; a solitary cottage by the sea), just to arrive at an old lady who strews lupine seeds about? Ostensibly, she's fulfilling her promise to her grandfather to 'do something to make the world more beautiful'; in Barbara Cooney's precisionist Maine coast pictures, the drifts of lupine blooms are a tribute to the lupine lady per se. It's a lovely notion, in short, if not much (or too much) of a story."

Bird, E. (2012, June 15). Top 100 Picture Books #13: Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney. Retrieved from http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/15/top-100-picture-books-13-miss-rumphius-by-barbara-cooney/

"'This is such a great lesson book without being preachy. I remember my 20 year old son coming home and telling me about this book after his teacher read it in class. I didn't have the heart to tell him that I knew all about this book and it was one of my favorite books too. Nothing would do but for us to go right to the store and buy lupine seeds to plant. Alas my thumb is not as green as Miss Rumphius. My lupine seeds didn't sprout, but it was onkay. I will never forget how excited my 9 year old son was to share that book with me.' - Amy Miele

Was there ever any question that the Top 20 picture books would consist of titles that were deeply beloved? Never. But I admit to you that Miss Rumphius  was a surprise to me. Yet if the quote above is any indication Cooney's classic is very near and dear to people's hearts."


Library Use Suggestions:
Initially when I read through Miss Rumphius I thought it would make a good read-aloud for a story time. However, going back over it, I think that it might be a bit cumbersome. Instead, I think it could be useful for a STEAM event with a slightly older crowd. Along with an inspiring message, the story gives an example of how wind and birds can relocate seeds from one place to another. This could go along with explaining the concept of seed dispersal.