Book Descriptions
for World More Beautiful by Angela Burke Kunkel and Becca Stadtlander
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Throughout her career, Barbara Cooney created over 100 books for children and won two Caldecott Medals for her art. One of her most personal and popular books is Miss Rumphius, which centers on the importance of making the world more beautiful. Cooney’s own path to beautifying the world is thoughtfully chronicled in this picture book biography. The illustrations echo without mirroring Cooney’s recognizable folk-art style. The significance of color is given symbolic attention in the text. Cooney’s identity as an artist brightened when she expanded beyond black-and-white scratchboard art. Observed colors in nature and in her travels influenced Cooney’s personal and artistic palette, such as the blues and greens of Maine summers, sapphire and cerulean in Greek seas, and browns and pinks in the deserts of Mexico. In addition to creating many beautiful books for children, Cooney also played a major role in creating a public library in her small Maine community. An author’s note and afterword provide additional information and appreciation about a much-loved artist and book creator.
CCBC Choices 2025. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin – Madison, 2025. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
This stunning and lyrical picture book biography details the life and art of celebrated children's book creator, Barbara Cooney.
For every kid who loves art, here is the inspirational story of beloved illustrator and two-time Caldecott Medalist, Barbara Cooney.
Barbara was born in a hotel in Brooklyn, with a view of the city and the sea. Her father loved numbers and money. But Barbara and her mother loved art, and color, and light. Barbara’s favorite days were when she stayed home sick in bed and got to paint and draw.
In the summers, they left New York for Maine, where Barbara scrambled among the rocks, wind whipping her hair, light sparkling on the water. Summer was grey, and blue, and green, and free.
When Barbara grew up, she ventured out into the world with an art portfolio—she thought she might like to illustrate books. And she did, creating classics like Miss Rumphius, Island Boy, and Hattie and the Waves.
Her character Miss Rumphius said, you must do something to make the world more beautiful. And that is exactly what Barbara did. It's a message that's sure to inspire young readers and creators today.
For every kid who loves art, here is the inspirational story of beloved illustrator and two-time Caldecott Medalist, Barbara Cooney.
Barbara was born in a hotel in Brooklyn, with a view of the city and the sea. Her father loved numbers and money. But Barbara and her mother loved art, and color, and light. Barbara’s favorite days were when she stayed home sick in bed and got to paint and draw.
In the summers, they left New York for Maine, where Barbara scrambled among the rocks, wind whipping her hair, light sparkling on the water. Summer was grey, and blue, and green, and free.
When Barbara grew up, she ventured out into the world with an art portfolio—she thought she might like to illustrate books. And she did, creating classics like Miss Rumphius, Island Boy, and Hattie and the Waves.
Her character Miss Rumphius said, you must do something to make the world more beautiful. And that is exactly what Barbara did. It's a message that's sure to inspire young readers and creators today.
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.
