"First lines are really important. 

First lines are essentially the opportunity any reader has of creating cerebral fusion. That’s when the reader’s brain and the storyteller’s brain essentially become one even though no one’s in the same space together.

 It feels like magic. It’s leveraging imagination. 

It’s really really important."

Cecilia Lyra
Literary Agent with PS Literary
During a Books with Hooks episode of The Shit No One Tells You About Writing podcast

April 2025

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

Maybe Just Ask Me!

By Katie Mazeika
Published by Beach Lane Books
First line: It was Mazie’s first day at her new school. She put on her favorite scarf and wore her prettiest eyepatch. She was ready.
Elements used: introduces the main character, establishes the setting of the story, and makes the reader wonder something

Read Katie's first line revision journey here.

The Three Little SUPERPIGS and the Great Easter Egg Hunt

By Claire Evans

Published by Scholastic Press

First line: It was springtime in Fairyland.
Elements used: employs fairytale language and establishes the setting of the story 

The Museum of Very Bad Smells

By Monica Arnaldo

Published by Katharine Tegen Books

First line: There’s been a robbery at the Museum of Very Bad Smells!

Elements used: establishes a unique setting and surprises the reader

I Want to Read ALL the Books

By Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

First line: It all started with a raindrop.

Elements used: engages multiple senses and makes the reader wonder something

LEFTY

Words by Mo Willems, art by Dan Santat

Published by union square kids

First line: Hi, Righty! Did you know…there was a time when people could get into trouble…really, really BIG trouble—For what, Lefty?

Elements used: uses unique formatting and makes the reader wonder something

The Spark In Me

By Miguel Tanco

Published by tundra

First line: My mom is a dreamer.

Elements used: makes the reader feel something and wonder something

LOOK UP!

Words by Britt Gondolfi, art by Amanda Romanick

Published by PAW PRINTS

First line: Everyone was looking down.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

Impossible Possums

Words by Justin Colon, art by James Rey Sanchez

Published by Disney Hyperion

First line: Carl is Bad.

Elements used: Introduces the main character and makes the reader wonder something



This Is My Treehouse

By Guillaume Gueraud and Alfred

Published by Floris Books

First line: We built my treehouse between the branches of a tall tree, in the forest behind my grandparents’ garden.

Elements used: establishes the setting of the story and references something with universal appeal

A Voice In the Storm

By Karl James Mountford

Published by Candlewick Studio

First line: “I think a storm is on its way, Rat,” Jackdaw said.
Elements used: introduces the main characters and makes the reader feel something