June 2022

by Christopher Denise

First line: Since the day he hatched, Owl had one wish.

elements used: introduces the main character and makes the reader wonder something

by M.O. Yuksel, art by Mariam Quraishi

Hook: life story of Fatima al-Fihri, focusing on her love of education and explaining how she achieved her dream of building a university where everyone was welcome

First line: Fatima craved knowledge like desert flowers crave rain.

elements used: introduces the main character and establishes a lyrical tone that pulls the reader in

by Finoa Halliday

First line: Erin loved the stories Papa told of his adventures at sea.

elements used: introduces the main character and hints at the universal theme of family

by Sina Merabian

First line: The bathhouse is always busy the day before Nowruz.

elements used: hints at the universal excitement of a holiday

by Alison Marcotte, art by Diane Ewen

First line: Seeking Best Friend: Must be Kind. 

elements used: hints at the universal desire for friendship

by Clothilde Ewing, art by Lynn Gaines

First line: Hi, I’m Stella.

elements used: introduces the main character and engages the reader

by Renee M LaTulippe, art by Cecile Metzger

First lines: Welcome. Enter. Sit right there upon our finest driftwood chair.

Elements used: engages the reader and establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in 

by Carrie Tillotson, art by Estrela Laurent

First line: 1 plum

elements used: establishes the concept

by John Schu, art by Veronica Miller Jamison

First line: This is a kid.

elements used: employs the universal appeal of the obvious

by Laura Marx Fitzgerald, art by Jenny Lovlie

First line: The teacher said a new kid was joining our class.

elements used: hints at the universal appeal of the excitement of something new 

by Nancy Johnson James, art by Constance Moore

First line: Black is a wonderful color.

elements used: introduces the concept

by Marilyn Singer, art by Sonia Sanchez

First line: It’s morning!

elements used: employs the universal appeal of a new day

by David Michael Slater, art by Davilyn Lynch

First line: “You sure you need to take Mr. Kalamazoo with you?” Max’s mom asked.

elements used: hints at the main character’s problem

by Maria Loretta Giraldo, art by Nicoletta Bertelle

First line: Once there was a tiny seed.

Elements used: hints at the universal appeal of nature and the excitement of something new, and makes the reader wonder something

by Shige Chen, art by Pia Valentinis and Mario Onnis

First line: Once upon a time there was a boy and a girl.

elements used: hints at a beloved classic and a universal theme 

by Jenny Torres Sanches, art by Andre Ceolin

First line: Rocio had a new home.

elements used: introduces the main character and the universal idea of something new, and hints at a potential problem

By Zoe Tucker, art by Julianna Swaney

First line: On a bright spring morning as the sun peeps shyly through the trees we step out into the garden.

elements used: introduces the universal appeal of spring

by Lane Smith

First line: It was not his Nana’s birthday.

elements used: makes the reader wonder something

by Laura K Zimmerman, art by Jamie Green

Hook: a deep dive into the sensory appeal of mushrooms and their impact on the water cycle 

First line: Without warning, they appear. Mushrooms!

elements used: introduces an unusual premise

by Kimberly Wilson, art by Mark Hoffman

First line: Hot off the minting press, Penny sparkled.

elements used: introduces an unusual main character and engages multiple senses

by Tara Lazar, art by Ross MacDonald

First line: After dozing in my chair, I had some time on my hands.

elements used: makes the reader wonder something and establishes the tone of the story

by Maria Gianferrari, art by Pete Oswald

First line: Can you be like a dog?

elements used: engages the reader, makes the reader wonder something, and hints at an unusual premise

by Helen H Wu, art by Julie Jarema

First line: Today I’m making tofu with NaiNai!

elements used: introduces the main character, hints at the universal theme of family, and sets the scene for the story

by Carter Higgins, art by Daniel Mayares

First line: the sun and its shine when it asks you to rise

elements used: hints at a universal theme and has a rhythm that pulls the reader in

by Molly Bloom, Marc Sanchez, and Sanden Totten; art by Mike Orodan

First line: Dear little humans living on me: It’s your E.F.F.!*

elements used: introduces an unusual main character, engages the reader, and makes the reader wonder something

by Nina LaCour, art by Kaylani Juanita

First line: MONDAY The sun is still hiding and the moon is still bright when Mommy kisses my cheek and says, “Good morning.”

elements used: hints at the universal excitement of a change in routine and the universal theme of family

by Kevin Young, art by Chioma Ebinama

First line: There was a boy named Emile who fell in love with a field.

elements used: introduces the main character and an unusual premise, and makes the reader wonder something

by Simon Rich, art by Tom Toro

First line: Can I tell you a secret?

elements used: engages the reader, makes the reader wonder something, and uses the universal appeal of secrets

by Deborah Underwood, art by Misa Saburi

First line: Bernard and Gertie were reading about the brave bear in Bearnard’s Book.

elements used: introduces the main characters, starts in the middle of an action, and makes the reader wonder something

by Kelly DiPucchio, art by Raissa Figueroa

First line: Like most mermaids, Oona was good at making friends.

elements used: hints at the universal themes of friendship and pride and introduces a popular main character and an unlikely duo