That last page can make or break a story. At the SCBWI Schmooze the other day, someone asked what I was learning from the Great Picture Book Read of ’07. So here’s the biggest thing. It’s not enough to have a good story. You must have a great ending.
A ‘sweet’ last page ends up feeling cheesy if it’s not combined with a giggle. The ‘quiet’ ending leaves you trying to turn one more page, sure that the story isn’t actually over. As a writer, it’s important to ask, is that final page going to deliver a laugh? A twist? A zing? At least a smile? If the reader is going to feel satisfied, it really needs to.
Marla Frazee and her editor, Allyn Johnston, talked a lot about this during the summer conference. Even for a simple book like Everywhere Babies, they sweated over the ending. The last page turn was originally super sweet. I think the picture was a parent hugging a baby and the text went something like this:
“Every day, everywhere, babies are loved…. for trying so hard, for all that they do, for being so wonderful…just like you!”
They wanted a zingier ending, so the text was changed to this and was paired with a baby taking her first steps.
“Every day, everywhere, babies are loved…. for trying so hard, for traveling so far, for being so wonderful…just as they are!”
This was definitely less sweet, but still didn’t give them that final zing they were looking for. So, they kept the new text, but changed the picture. Now, in the published version, the page spread before the final page is a kid’s first birthday party and the final page reads “Just as they are.” With a baby grinning proudly with cake all over her face. This change transformed the final page turn from an ‘ahhhhh….’ to a chuckle. And it makes for a much stronger book.
The perfect ending is definitely tricky to do. Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst brings us a laugh at the end by giving a twist to the repeated phase, “I think I’ll move to Australia.” The book ends with “Mom says some days are like that. Even in Australia.”
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs written by Judi Barrett and illustrated by Ron Barrett and Miss Nelson is Missing written by Harry Allard and illustrated by James Marshall both use pictures and text to give us a tantalizing hint that everything is not exactly as it seems.
Often, the final zing is completely in the pictures. Olivia by Ian Falconer is a classic example of the visual last page turn. On the final page of the books, you get to see what grand dreams she is imagining. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems is the same way. Mo Willems even uses the end papers to show the Pigeon imagining himself driving the big rig. Pssst! by Adam Rex uses a visual twist masterfully, though I won’t ruin the surprise. David Wiesner is also a master at this in Tuesday and Sector 7.
Though this may sound a bit obvious, the entire book is leading up to the ending. The final page turn often determines whether the book will make a lasting impression on the reader. It’s your last chance to win over the reader or get that final smile. So make it a good one.
The End