"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
March 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
introduces the main character and their problem (bonus points if the character is particularly unusual)
makes the reader wonder something
sets the tone for the story
starts in the middle of the action
hints at a universal theme
uses unique formatting
sets the scene of the story
hints at how the story will end
engages the reader
engages multiple senses
surprises the reader
makes the reader laugh
establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader into the story
employs poetic devices
references a beloved classic
hints at an unusual premise
introduces the concept
references something with universal appeal
uses a play on words
makes the reader feel something
hints at the main character's goal
uses fairytale language
Alpacas Here, Alpacas There
Words by Carrie Tillotson, art by Elisa Chavarri
Published by Beach Lane Books
First line: Beneath a brilliant
starry sky,
where mountains soar
and condors fly,
some early people
took great care
of creatures with
warm fleece to share.
Elements used: employs poetic devices, engages multiple senses, establishes the setting of the story
Read Carrie's first line revision journey here.
Sleepy Sea
Words by Bonnie Kelso
Published by Gnome Road
First line: I can’t sleep!
Elements used: makes the reader feel something and wonder something
Mauntie and Me
Words by Rajani LaRocca, art by Nadia Alam
Published by Candlewick Press
First line: Every Saturday, Priya’s aunties and uncles and cousins came to visit, and the house was full of joy and laughter.
Elements used: introduces the main character and makes the reader feel something
Still Life
Words by Alex London, art by Paul O. Zelinsky
Published by Green Willow Books
First line: This is a still life.
Elements used: makes the reader wonder something
Tove and the Island with No Address
By Lauren Soloy
Published by tundra
First line: The summer Tove turned seven, her family, as they did every summer, packed a boat with only what was essential and moved to an island with no address.
Elements used: introduces the main character and establishes an unusual setting
The Last Pomegranate
By F. Nakhaei
Published by Clavis
First line: For a perfect Yalda Night, you need a pomegranate.
Elements used: surprises the reader and makes the reader wonder something
The Three Little Guinea Pigs and the Andean Fox
By Ana Valez
Published by Page Street Kids
First line: Deep in the Andean valley, a flood whooshed away three tiny homes.
Elements used: Establishes the setting of the story and engages multiple senses
The Ocean Calls
Words by Tina Cho, art by Jess X. Snow
Published by Kokila
First line: Dayeon and Grandma stretc hed and watched the sun’s first rays kiss the sea.
Elements used: makes the reader feel something and uses poetic devices
The Table
Words by Winsome Bingham and Wiley Blevins, art by Jason Griffin
Published by Neal Porter Books
First line: Dawn sneaks through the curtains, shining a sliver of light on the side of the kitchen table.
Elements used: uses unique formatting, employs poetic devices, and surprises the reader
Esma Farouk,
Lost in the Souk
Lost in the Souk
Words by Lisa Boersen & Hasna Elbaamrani, art by Annelies Vandenbosch
Published by Floris Books
First line: Hi! I’m Esma, and this is my papa, mama, little brothers and big sister…and this is us all packed up and ready to go see my grandparents for the summer!
Elements used: introduces the main character and references something with universal appeal