Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

A little girl tells the story of her Aunt Alice Rumphius’ remarkable life. After growing up, Alice sets out to do three things in life: go to faraway places, live by the sea, and do something to make the world more beautiful. She travels the world and then finds a home by the sea, but can’t decide how she is to make the world more beautiful. After the wind and birds scatter her wildflower seeds, she’s inspired to fill her seaside town with beautiful blooms. She opens her home to the children of the town and shares her stories and her life with them, inspiring the next generation to continue to make the world more beautiful.

Detailed illustrations and simple storytelling give Miss Rumphius a delightful and poignant feel. There’s no big flashy moment or tense scenes of anticipation, but Miss Rumphius manages to leave marks on the reader nonetheless. Told as a life story, it’s an early exposure to biographical reading and the themes of beauty, generosity, and home will resonate in even the youngest listener.

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1. How did Miss Rumphius make the world a more beautiful place?
2. What words would you use to describe Miss Rumphius?
3. While flowers are beautiful, our actions towards others are truly what makes the world more beautiful as we reflect Christ. In what ways can you make the world more beautiful today?