Sara Kruger - January 2023

January 2023

Welcome! I'm so glad you stopped by.
I hope you find this collection of picture book first lines inspiring and motivational.

If you'd like your book included in a future collection, click here.

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)

*subverts the reader's expectations

*makes the reader laugh

*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

*introduces the concept

*references something with universal appeal

*uses a play on words

When the Sky Glows

By Nell Cross Beckerman, art by David Litchfield

Published by Beach Lane Books

First line (over three spreads): Around the world, when morning comes…the sky glows.

elements used: sets the scene of the story and engages multiple senses

read Nell's revision process for this first line

CAVES

By Nell Cross Beckerman, art by Kalen Chock

Published by Orchard Books

First line: In the shade of the woods is a hill with a hole.

elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in, engages multiple senses, and makes the reader wonder something

Angry Me

By Sandra V. Feder, art by Rahele Jomepour Bell

Published by Groundwood Books

First line: I get angry.

elements used: starts in the middle of the action and references a universal emotion

Tayra's Not Talking

By Lana Button, art by Christine Battuz

Published by Kids Can Press

First line: Hi! What’s your name?

elements used: engages the reader

All the Places We Call Home

By Patrice Gopo, art by Jenin Mohammed

Published by: Worthy Kids

First line: At night before I sleep, I twirl my globe.

elements used: makes the reader wonder something and hints at the universal theme of bedtime

I'm So Glad You Were Born

By Ainsley Earhardt, art by Kim Barnes

Published by zonderkidz

First line: It’s time to celebrate wonderful you, and all the incredible things you can do.

elements used: engages the reader

Fridge-
Opolis

By Melissa Coffey, art by Josh Cleland

Published by little bee books

First line: Past Microwave Meadows and Dishwasher Downs lay the infamous, polluted city of…FRIDGE-OPOLIS.

elements used: subverts the readers expectations

Bubbie & Rivka's Best-Ever Challah

By Sarah Lynne Reul

Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers

First line: The very first challah I ever made did not taste or look for good, but it definitely…felt so, so good to squish and smoosh and stretch and squeeze, then roll-pat into long snakes that Bubbie braided right up, like my hair before bedtime.

elements used: engages multiple senses

Giant Island

By Jane Yolen, art by Doug Keith

Published by Flashlight Press

First line: Giant Island sat low in the water as the boat approached.

elements used: makes the reader wonder something

patchwork

By Matt De La Pena, art by Corinna Luyken

Published by putnam

First line: You were blue before you were even born.

elements used: makes the reader wonder something and engages the reader

Poo-Dunit?

By Katelyn Aronson, art by Stephanie Laberis

Published by Candlewick Press

First line: Once upon a forest floor, a snout poked out a burrow door and wheezed and sneezed for on the breeze there came a hint of…POO.

elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in, engages multiple senses, and subverts the reader's expectations

Granny and Bean

By Karen Reese, art by Charlotte Voake

Published by Candlewick Press

First line: Granny and Bean went walking one day in the sand, by the sea, with the sky all gray.

elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in, sets the scene of the story, engages multiple senses, and references the universal appeal of the beach and family relationships

Good Night Little Bookstore

By Amy Cherrix, art by E.B. Goodale

Published by Candlewick Press

First line: Good night, little bookstore.

elements used: subverts the reader's expectations, introduces an unusual premise, and references a beloved classic

House Finds a Home

By Katy S. Duffield, art by Jen Corace

Published by Viking

First line: You might think houses don’t have hearts.

elements used: engages the reader, subverts the reader's expectations, introduces an unusual premise, and makes the reader wonder something

Music is a Rainbow

By Brian Collier

Published by LIttle, Brown and Co

First line: It was early morning, the only alone time the boy had with his father.

elements used: references the universal theme of family and makes the reader wonder something

Brand-New Bubbe

By Sarah Aronson, art by Ariel Landy

Published by Charlesbridge

First line: When Mom married Michael, Jillian got a really nice stepdad.

elements used:

The Fog Catcher's Daughter

By Marianne McShane, art by Alan Marks

Published by Candlewick Press

First line: There was a girl in Ireland.

elements used: sets the scene of the story

Mouse Calls

By Anne Marie Pace, art by Erin Kraan

Published by Beach Lane Books

First line: Mouse Calls Moose.

elements used: makes the reader wonder something and subverts the reader's expectations

You Are Life

By Bao Phi, art by Hannah Li

Published by Capstone Editions

First line: You are life.

elements used: engages the reader

Supposing...

By Alastair Reid, art by JooHee Yoon

Published by Enchanted Lion Books

First line: Supposing I went begging instead of going to school and drew pictures and sang songs on a street corner and people gave me money and one day my father came home and said he was ruined and I told him not to worry and led him to my room and showed him my trunk full of pennies and he laughed and laughed…

elements used: subverts the reader's expectations

Buddy's New Buddy

By Christina Geist, art by Tim Bowers

Published by Random House

First line: Buddy wasn’t feeling great.

elements used: makes the reader wonder something

Lou

By Breanna Carzoo

Published by Harper

First line: Hello! Can you see me down here?

elements used: makes the reader wonder something and engages the reader

A Home Named Walter

By Chelea Lin Wallace, art by Ginnie Hsu

Published by Feiwel and Friends

First line: Walter was once a home.

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

Old Friends

By Margaret Aitken, art by Lenny Wen

Published by Faiwel and Friends

First line: Marjorie loved growing seeds into gardens, knitting cozy creations, and curling up in front of her favorite baking show.

elements used: introduces the main character

Our Story Starts In Africa

By Patrice Lwrence, art by JEnetta Gonzales

Published by Magic Cat Publishing

First line: Paloma is so excited.

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

Beatrice Likes the Dark

By April Genevieve Tucholke, art by Khoa Le

Published by Algonquin Young Readers

First line: Beatrice likes the dark dark dark and the dark dark dark likes her.

elements used: introduces the main character, establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader, makes the reader wonder something, and subverts the reader's expectations

The Library Fish

By Alyssa Satin Capucilli, art by Gladys Jose

Published by Simon&Schuster Books for Young Readers

First line: Once there was a fish.

elements used: introduces the main character

Waiting for Mama

By Gianna Marino

Published by Viking

First line: Even though I can’t see, I know what’s happening outside.

elements used: makes the reader wonder something

This is the Boat that Ben Built

By Jen Lynn Bailey, art by Maggie Zeng

Published by pajama press

First line: This is THE BOAT that BEN BUILT.

elements used: hints at a beloved classic

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Elements of a great first line

When the Sky Glows

CAVES

Angry Me

Tayra's Not Talking

All the Places We Call Home

I'm So Glad You Were Born

Fridge-Opolis

Bubbie & Rivka's Best-Ever Challah

Giant Island

patchwork

Poo-Dunit?

Granny and Bean

Good Night Little Bookstore

House Finds a Home

Music is a Rainbow

Brand-New Bubbe

The Fog Catcher's Daughter

Mouse Calls

You Are Life

Supposing...

Buddy's New Buddy

Lou

A Home Named Walter

Old Friends

Our Story Starts In Africa

Beatrice Likes the Dark

The Library Fish

Waiting for Mama

This is the Boat that Ben Built

Fridge-
Opolis