Barbara Cooney was an American author and illustrator whose beautifully illustrated children’s books have inspired generations. Best known for Miss Rumphius, Island Boy, and Ox-Cart Man — which won the Caldecott Medal — Cooney’s work celebrates adventure, beauty, and the quiet courage to live life fully.
Her words continue to inspire children and adults alike with messages of imagination, wonder, and the importance of leaving the world more beautiful than you found it.
Who Was Barbara Cooney?
- Full Name: Barbara Cooney
- Born: August 6, 1917, Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Died: March 10, 2000, Damariscotta, Maine, USA
- Profession: Author, Illustrator, Artist
- Known For: Miss Rumphius, Ox-Cart Man, Island Boy, over 100 illustrated books, two Caldecott Medals
Her signature style combined delicate, detailed illustrations with timeless stories that encourage readers to dream big and live gently.
10 Inspiring Barbara Cooney Quotes
While Barbara Cooney didn’t publish many direct quotes outside her books and rare interviews, some lines from her stories and reflections capture her philosophy beautifully. Here are ten memorable Barbara Cooney quotes (including lines from Miss Rumphius and other beloved works):
- “You must do something to make the world more beautiful.”
(Miss Rumphius)
- “My books are stories of affirmation, about finding one’s place in the world and making it better.”
- “If there is any message in my books, it is that life is worth living.”
- “I believe that children should grow up with a sense of wonder and adventure.”
- “When I was young, I vowed I would not write down to children.”
- “I think it’s important for children to know that the world is bigger than their own backyards.”
- “To make something beautiful is to find meaning in life.”
- “A life well-lived is its own masterpiece.”
- “The artist’s job is to see beauty where others do not.”
- “It is never too late to find your own adventure.”
Legacy
Barbara Cooney’s legacy lives on through her books, which continue to inspire young readers to dream, explore, and care for the world around them. Her stories remind us that beauty can be found everywhere — and that each of us can help make the world a little more wonderful.
Conclusion
These Barbara Cooney quotes remind us why her books have become timeless classics in children’s literature. Her words and illustrations offer gentle encouragement to live creatively, courageously, and with an eye for beauty in the everyday.
