Principal's
Book of the Month
April/May
Our last book of the month for this school year is Miss Rumphius, written and illustrated by Barbara Cooney. I chose this book because it is about friendship, sharing, and making the world a better place. It is a classic story that should help us think about our character education words for April (cooperation) and May (respect for the environment).
Our story is about a character named Alice Rumphius who travels the world having many adventures. Eventually, however, she returns to her home by the sea and discovers a way to make the world a better place. The story shows us how the commitment of one person with a good idea can improve the world for everyone.
Miss Rumphius had a simple idea that made a big difference! At Sunset School, we believe that every person is important and capable of doing great things. Each of us can make a difference in our world by caring for others, being responsible, and being willing to work to make our world a better place for all of us. In fact, the main reason we go to school is to prepare us for the many good ways we can contribute to the future of our world.
As a little girl, Miss Rumphius knew she must do three things in her life: 1) travel to far away places; 2) live by the sea when she settled down; and 3) make the world more beautiful in some way. What is your plan for the future? Do you want to travel like Miss Rumphius? What work do you want to do? Will you live in Colquitt County, will your home be by the sea, or will you live somewhere completely different? What ideas do you have to help others and make the world a more beautiful place?
I am proud that my Sunset boys and girls are thinking about the future and are working hard to be prepared. I know the world will be a better place because each of you will be making a difference!
Mr.
Owen
| Discussing the Story | Writing Ideas |
Before Reading
What connections do you make when you look at the book's cover?
Have you ever been given some advice from someone in your family? If so, what was it?
During Reading
In what ways does Alice want to be like her grandfather?
How does the author let the reader know about the relationship between Alice and her grandfather?
How do you think Alice decided where she would travel?
After Reading
How did Miss Rumphius get the idea to plant lupines?
How did others react to her plan to beautify the world? Did their opinions cause her to change her actions? Why or why not?
Is it important to do different things during different times in your life? If so, what should some of those things be?
How do you think little Alice will make the world more beautiful?
How could you, as an individual, change the world?
FARAWAY PLACES Miss Rumphius visited some places far away from where she lived. Where in the world would you like to visit? Write about your choices. What would you do there? Why not design and write on a postcard like you would send if you were visiting a favorite place?
FRIENDS Miss Rumphius made good friends wherever she went. For example, the Bapa Raja was her friend, and he gave her a goodbye gift. Write about a time you made a new friend or write about a gift you would make for a friend.
FAMILY Would you like to have Miss Rumphius in your family? Does she remind you of anyone in your family? Write about a favorite family member.
FLOWERS Lupines were Miss Rumphius's favorite flower. What is your favorite? Write about why you like it and where you would plant it. If you are interested in flowers, you could also make a booklet with pictures and facts about different kinds.
GROWING UP How old do you need to be before you are grown up? What are your plans for when you are older?
About the Author and Illustrator
Barbara Cooney was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1917. She grew up on Long Island, but spent her summers as a child in Maine. Her mother, an artist herself, encouraged Barbara's interest in art. Barbara Cooney illustrated 110 children's books and was awarded two Caldecott medals in her lifetime, the first for Chanticleer and the Fox (written by T. Y. Crowell in 1959) and the second for The Ox-Cart Man (written by Donald Hall in 1979). In 1983, Ms. Cooney was presented with an American Book Award for Miss Rumphius. Mrs. Cooney died in 2000. She is survived by her husband, four children, three grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
The Bapa Raja painted a "Bird of Paradise" on the shell he gave Miss Rumphius. The picture above shows this tropical flower called a Bird of Paradise. The Bird of Paradise is "native to South Africa. Its large blue and orange blossom resembles an exotic bird; it is cultivated as an ornamental plant in warmer regions and as a greenhouse plant, and is sold as a florists’ cut flower. It is grown commercially chiefly in California and Hawaii " (from Columbia Online Encyclopedia). Why not draw and color some pictures of your favorite flowers?
Miss Rumphius visited the "Land of the Lotus Eaters." This is actually Tunisia, a country in Northern Africa. Can you find out why it is called the "Land of the Lotus Eaters?"
Because Miss Rumphius is a special book that has been enjoyed by many students since it was first published in 1982, some students have made special projects based on the story. Check them out by clicking below:
Be A Good Citizen with Miss Rumphius
Illustrations from Miss Rumphius
Lupines have a repeating design. Try to make a group of them on a horizontal piece of paper. You can use your fingerprint to make the petals. Can you list 5 things that Miss Rumphius taught us about lupines?
The tune you hear is Lay Me Where the Bluebonnets Grow, a folk tune from Texas. Bluebonnets are lupines!
