May 2022
Every month, I check out 30 recently published picture books and share their first lines (and hooks, for NF).
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Elements of a great first line
Elements of a great first line
*makes the reader wonder something
*sets the tone for the story
*starts in the middle of the action
*hints at a universal theme
*establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader into the story
*introduces the main character and their problem
(bonus points if the character is particularly unusual)
*sets the scene of the story
*hints at the how the story will end
*engages the reader
*engages multiple senses
*references a beloved classic
*hints at an unusual premise
Nigel and the Moon
Nigel and the Moon
By Antwan Eady, art by Gracey Zhang
2022
First line: At night, he tells the moon his dreams.
elements used: references the universal intrigue of dreams and makes the reader wonder something
Let's Do Everything and Nothing
Let's Do Everything and Nothing
By Julia Kuo
2022
First line: Will you climb a hill with me?
elements used: engages the reader
ALSO
ALSO
By E.B. Goodale
2022
First line: Today, I am at gramma's house, high on the hill, amongst the blueberry bushes.
elements used: hints at the universal joy of visiting a grandparent
Lost and Found
Lost and Found
By Kate Banks, art by Galia Bernstein
2022
First line: The wood mouse and the rabbit raced around the big bend in the forest.
elements used: hints at the universal theme of playtime and starts in the middle of an action
Digger and the Duckling
Digger and the Duckling
By Joseph Kuefler
2022
First line: Digger and his crew loved to work.
elements used: introduces a main character that most kids love
Dear Reader
Dear Reader
By Tiffany Rose
2022
First line: Dear Reader, do you see that little girl down there?
elements used: engages the reader and makes the reader wonder something
This Is the Tree We Planted
This Is the Tree We Planted
By Kate McMullan, art by Alison Friend
2022
First line (over three pages): This is the TREE This is the TREE This is the TREE we planted!
elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in and hints at the universal theme of pride
Climb on!
Climb on!
By Baptiste Paul, art by Jacqueline Alcantara
2022
First line: Morning, Dad!
elements used: hints at the universal theme of excitement and makes the reader wonder something
Bubblecat vs. Dragonbear
Bubblecat vs. Dragonbear
By Sean Charmatz
2022
First line: Hi, I’m BubbleCat!
elements used: introduces an unusual main character and hints at the main character’s problem
No Nibbling!
No Nibbling!
By Beth Ferry, art by A.N. Kang
2022
First line: One warm spring day, Derwood planted a garden.
elements used: mentions the universal joy of spring and gardening
Good Job, George!
Good Job, George!
By Jane O’Connor, art by Andrew Joyner
2022
First line: Guess who’s the best helper.
elements used: engages the reader and makes the reader wonder something
When the Sakura Bloom
When the Sakura Bloom
By Narisa Togo
2022
First line: Hustle, bustle; hurry dash.
elements used: sets the tone of the story and establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in
Gibberish
Gibberish
By Young Vo
2022
First line: First, Dat sailed on a boat, then flew on a plane, and today Dat will be on a school bus.
elements used: introduces the main character and hints at the universal excitement and anxiety of travel and starting school
Bob Ross, Peapod the Squirrel, and the Happy Accident
Bob Ross, Peapod the Squirrel, and the Happy Accident
By Robb Pearlman, art by Bob Ross with Jason Kayser
2022
First line: My little squirrel friend, Peapod, and I are going to paint a picture right here on our canvas.
elements used: makes the reader wonder something and introduces a unique main character relationship
No Bunnies Here!
No Bunnies Here!
By Tammi Sauer, art by Ross Burach
2022
First line: Oh! Hello there, Wolf.
elements used: makes the reader wonder something and references a beloved classic
Hello, Puddle!
Hello, Puddle!
By Anita Sanchez, art by Luisa Uribe
2022
First line: Hello, puddle!
elements used: introduces a unique setting
John's Turn
John's Turn
By Mac Barnett, art by Kate Berube
2022
First line: On Fridays there’s Assembly.
elements used: hints at the universal theme of routine
Everything Will Be OK
Everything Will Be OK
By Anna Dewdney, art by Judy Schachner
2022
First line: Is there jelly on your bread when you wanted cheese instead?
elements used: engages the reader, engages multiple senses, hints at the universal theme of disappointment, and establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in
The Book That Did NOT Want to Be Read
The Book That Did NOT Want to Be Read
By David Sundin
2022
First line: Once upon a time, there was a child who couldn't fall asleep.
elements used: hints at the universal theme of not being able to fall asleep and makes the reader wonder something
Nellie Vs. Elizabeth
Nellie Vs. Elizabeth
By Kate Hannigan, art by Rebecca Gibbon
2022
Hook: follows the two journalists as they race around the world
First line: Eager and energetic, stunt reporter Nellie Bly loved to be in the thick of things—mud, muck, and all.
elements used: introduces the main character and engages multiple senses
Fall Down Seven Times
Stand Up Eight
Fall Down Seven Times
Stand Up Eight
By Jen Bryant, art by Toshiki Nakamura
2022
Hook: life story of the first Asian American woman to be elected to Congress spotlighting the various challenges she tackled on her way there by reminding herself of the Japanese proverb of the title.
First line: Patsy Takemoto was surrounded by water.
elements used: introduces the main character and the setting of the story
My Must-Have MOM
My Must-Have MOM
By Maudie Smith, art by Jen Khatun
2022
First line: My mom’s not like most moms.
elements used: makes the reader wonder something
There's a LION in the Forest!
There's a LION in the Forest!
By Monica Carnesi
2022
First line: Deep in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, a new sound traveled through the trees.
elements used: establishes a unique setting, makes the reader wonder something, and engages multiple senses
I Color Myself DIFFERENT
I Color Myself DIFFERENT
By Colin Kaepernick, art by Eric Wilkerson
2022
First line: Hey, I’m Colin.
elements used: introduces the main character and engages the reader
Show the World!
Show the World!
By Angela Dalton, art by Daria Peoples
2022
First line: Look around.
elements used: engages the reader and makes the reader wonder something
The GREAT ZAPFINO
The GREAT ZAPFINO
By Mac Barnett, art by Marla Frazee
2022
First line: Behold: THE GREAT ZAPFINO!
elements used: hints at a beloved classic and makes the reader wonder something
Revolutionary
Prudence Wright
Revolutionary
Prudence Wright
mBy Beth Anderson, art by Susan Reagan
2022
First line: Prudence Cummings painted, snipped, and folded her precious piece of paper, crafting a “love box” like any colonial girl.
elements used: introduces the main character, establishes the time period of the story, engages multiple senses, and makes the reader wonder something
Bobcat Prowling
Bobcat Prowling
By Maria Gianferrari, art by Bagram Ibatoulline
2022
First line: Beyond your house, behind tall pines, under paling stars Mother Bobcat wakes.
elements used: engages the reader, establishes a poetic tone, and engages multiple senses
Perfectly PEGASUS
Perfectly PEGASUS
By Jessie Sima
2022
First line: Nimbus was born high in the sky.
elements used: makes the reader wonder something
People are WILD
People are WILD
By Margaux Meganck
2022
First line: Mama, what is that?
elements used: Hints at the universal theme of curiosity
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