Miss Rumphius

Growing up, Alice Rumphius dreamt of seeing the world, and then settling down in a little house by the sea. Confiding in her beloved grandfather - an artist like herself - Alice is told that she must do one additional thing: she must make the world a more beautiful place. Many years later, having lived her dreams, Alice sets out to fulfill her promise to her grandfather. But what can she do to make the world more beautiful...?

This was a sweet story - and the illustrations were simply gorgeous! - but I confess that I wasn't as impressed as I expected to be, given the number of goodreads friends who have awarded it four or five stars. The two main criticisms I have seen of Miss Rumphius - that planting lupines all over the place (the show more beautification project chosen by our heroine) is actually an ecologically unsound idea, as they are quite invasive, and will destroy indigenous flora; and that the wooden cigar Indians carved by Alice's grandfather are offensive, and should not have been included in a book first published in 1982 - don't really explain my lack of enthusiasm. (not that they aren't true)

I guess the truth is that I'm leery of the notion that beauty - finding it, creating it, being it - is the purpose of life. Of course, we all find our own purpose, and for an artist, beauty must surely come into it. But there is this way, in our culture, that girls and women are shepherded toward the ideal of beauty, persuaded that our highest calling is somehow entangled with it, whether in a personal way (being physically beautiful ourselves) or a practical one (creating beauty in our homes and work). And my response to that is: No. No, I don't think making the world a more beautiful place - as it is defined here - is the highest (or only) goal. I want to help make the world a more just place.

In any case, I don't want to go overboard here. As a tale of giving something back, rather than just living for oneself alone, I think Miss Rumphius has merit, and I understand why it is so beloved by other readers. But I simply can't agree with those reviewers (and there seem to be many of them) who perceive it as some kind of guide to life. A hint, perhaps - one of many... show less

I love this beautiful story, so full of heart. Alice Rumphius has vowed to travel to travel to faraway places, and live by the sea, just like her grandfather. He asked of her only one more thing: to make the world a more beautiful place. While her first two goals are easier to accomplish, she is puzzled by her grandfather's request, until a chance wind teaches her how she can make the world a beautiful place in her own way.

This story rings with wisdom and love. It teaches children (and adults, too!) about beauty, whose nature is subjective and personal, shifting and changing, yet present in all the world. The book also challenges readers to discover his or her own definition for beauty, and moreover, to contribute their beauty to show more others. I am teary-eyed every time I finish this story. Thank you, Ms. Cooney, for leaving us such a powerful book. show less

The classic story of "the lupine lady," who traveled the world and then spread flower seeds all over part of the Maine coast.

The bit about carved wooden Indians for cigar shops hasn't aged well, but the message about making the world a better and more beautiful place is a good one.

There are only a few things that I can point to and truly say "That changed the way I think.", but this book was one of them. The message stayed with me growing up and quite possibly could have been influential in my current endeavors of becoming an environmental defense lawyer (to make the world a more beautiful place, of course). As far as children's books go, this one has more depth and influence that the usual dribble that's fed to children, not to mention the outstanding art work. If you have children- or you just appreciate a damn good 12 page story- this is a must read.

This book is a classic for a very good reason. The story is powerful and moving and the illustrations are gorgeous. I always think of this book when I go up to Bar Harbor every summer for vacation. As a child it made me want to sow lupines everywhere.

My sister and I used to snuggle up together and pour over the beautiful illustrations and story that this little book holds within its pages. It's full of that lovely childhood magic that sticks with you even as you grow older and start to leave that chapter of life behind, and is an enchanting tale that, even after having heard/read it multiple times, I still find as delightful as ever, even if it is a "kids' book."

Oh, my HEART. I loved this book as a kid, and I love it as an adult. I identified SO MUCH with Alice Rumphius, with her desire to travel and see faraway places and have adventures and live by the sea, and I swear to god the only thing my family wanted for me (from me? hard to tell) was for me to make the world a more beautiful place.

So. Uh.

Hi.

Some other people on goodreads have mentioned the ecological implications of Miss Rumphius' scattering of the lupine seeds, and while I see their point, I can't really bring myself to be angry: pretty watercolors and a heroine growing up and having adventures and staying herself and awesome the whole time and age not being a bad thing and YOU GUYS Alice Rumphius is my favorite.