10 List: Happy endings

Faith Ringgold

Brevity; many picture books for children have 150 words or less. Ten last sentences

from some of my favorites (in no particular order):

The next thing you know, you're flying among the stars.

--Tar Beach, Faith Ringgold

"You must do something to make the world more beautiful."

"Alright, " I say. But I do not know yet what that can be.

--Miss Rumphius, Barbara Cooney

It wasn't long before the first birds came to the new, beautiful island.

--Rotten Island, William Steig

He is very happy.

--Ferdinand, Munro Leaf

...and it was still hot.

--Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak

Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe.

--The Polar Express, Chris Van Allsburg

...it was also the first day in her life that she walked alone, without holding

either her mother's or father's hand.

-- Umbrella, Taro Yashima

After breakfast he called to his friend from across the hall,

and they went out together into the deep, deep snow.

--The Snowy Day, Jack Ezra Keats

And the Five Chinese Brothers and their mother

all lived together happily for many years.

--The Five Chinese Brothers, Claire Huchet Bishop and Kurt Wiese

And it would murmur, good night.

--And If the Moon Could Talk, Kate Banks