Find more great Horn Book content at these links:
Fresh off the Barbie movie, with its pitch-perfect last line, I've been thinking about memorable last lines in children's books. Sendak's "and it was still hot" and White's "Charlotte was both" quickly spring to mind. What about you?
It's now the third week of August, and the Ferris wheel has slowly started its descent. With Natalie Babbitt's classic first line from Tuck Everlasting in my head -- and fresh off the Barbie movie, with its pitch-perfect last line (no spoilers) -- I've been thinking about memorable last lines in children's books. They can feel fresh and surprising yet natural and inevitable. Maurice Sendak's "and it was still hot" (Where the Wild Things Are) and E. B. White's "Charlotte was both" (Charlotte's Web) quickly spring to mind. What about you?
More on the late "eternal Friend of the Horn Book Natalie Babbitt" here; on Maurice Sendak here; and on E. B. White here. Also re-read Richard Peck's article "In the Beginning: What Makes a Good Beginning?" From the September/October 2006 Horn Book Magazine.
We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing.
Add Comment :-
Comment Policy:
Comment should not be empty !!!