The Paper Bag Princess closes with 'the ending it's supposed to have,' Munsch says. (Annick Press)

The book ends with an illustration of Elizabeth leaping off into the sunset on her own.

Novelist Francesca Segal, who has been reading The Paper Bag Princess for almost 40 years, called that final image "beautiful."

"You just know that she is going to be fine … She's off into a golden future," she said.

The book has become a "personal Bible" for her.

"I think it's incredibly important to have these narratives … to just remind you that it's not acceptable to be spoken to with anything other than respect and love. And if you have just rescued somebody from a fire-breathing dragon, the first thing they should probably say is thank you," Segal said.

"I hope all young readers will take from this that girls can be brave and fearless and strong — actually, that anyone can be brave and fearless and strong. To stand up to injustice where you see it … and then to walk away from anyone who isn't worthy."