Miss Rumphius
By Barbara Cooney
The Story
A girl named Alice Rumphius vows to travel the world, live by the sea, and find a way to make the world more beautiful — and spends her life keeping that promise.
Why It's Special
For the child who's ever declared a big plan for when they grow up, this is proof that a promise made young can shape a whole life.
- Big idea: A life well lived means following through on all three parts of a promise — even the hardest one.
- Vibes: Gentle, reflective, quietly inspiring, with the unhurried pace of a life story told with care.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy stories that span a whole lifetime
- are curious about faraway places and travel
- respond well to quiet, reflective storytelling
- like to talk about what they want to be when they grow up
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & memory: What were the three things Alice Rumphius wanted to do when she grew up?
- Imagination: If you could travel anywhere in the world like Alice did, where would you go?
- Real-life connection: What is one thing you could do to make the world more beautiful?
- Feelings & empathy: Why do you think making the world more beautiful was the hardest promise for Alice to keep?
- Legacy: Miss Rumphius became known as the Lupine Lady — what would you want to be remembered for?
