Summary: Alice Rumphius has lived a wonderful life. Her niece decides to ask her about how she lived her life and everything she has done. Miss Rumphius, who is now very old, tells her niece about the flowers she plants to leave something beautiful for the world. She leaves with her niece the true meaning of life.
Citation: Cooney, B. (1982). Miss Rumphius. New York, NY: Penguin Books.
This is a wonderful book that teaches children about living a full and meaningful life. Giving back to the community or the world is an important theme in this book. This concept is very important so that our youth will live lives of service to those around them. The illustrations in this book are remarkable. Any child would be drawn to this book for the artwork alone.
Reviews:
“This low-key tale of aspiration and idealism, of obligations to oneself and to the world at large, is perfectly accompanied by paintings that sound either a quaint-but-real old fashioned, or a calm, unchanging pastoral, note.”
Dooley, P. (1982). Miss Rumphius (Book Review). School Library Journal, 29(1), 106. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
"Miss Rumphius has to be one of the most perfect picture books ever."
Kindig, J.(?). Miss Rumphius (Book Review). Children's Literature. Retrieved from Children's Literature Comprehansive Database.
Library Suggestions: This book would be great for children's programming. The programmer could read this book to the children. After the book has been read, the group could have a discussion about things they would like to do to leave the world a better place. After the discussion, the the group could plant flowers into small pots or even milk cartons. The children would be free to give this plant/flower to someone or to plant it where they so please.
