"Give me a really good first line, 

something I can sink my teeth into, that just pulls me in and makes me want to read more. For me, a really great first line raises a question in my mind, or, better yet, two or three, where I just have to read the book to find out. 

A good first line gives me context about the story and lays a roadmap for where we're going."

Jennifer March Soloway
Senior Agent at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency
During an interview on the Writers with Wrinkles podcast

November 2024

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

A Voice of Hope

words by Nadia Salomon, art by London Ladd
published by Philomel
First line: Myrlie Evers-Williams stood before the nation on a chilly January day...Her voice—strong yet gentle.
Elements used: introduces the main character, hints at how the story will end, engages multiple senses, makes the reader feel something, makes the reader wonder something, and sets the tone for the story.

Read Nadia's first line revision journey here.

Soulful Struttin'

Words by Julia Pierre Hammond, art by Ana Latese

Published by Free Spirit Publishing

First line: There are two Sunday traditions Dad never skips: singing and cleaning.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

The Keeper of Stars

Words by Jennifer Harris, art by Dorothy Leung

Published by owlkids books

First line: Every night, Milo brushes his teeth, picks out his pajamas, and taps his dad’s picture three times.

Elements used: makes the reader feel something and wonder something

Squirrel Needs a Break

Words by Kristen Remenar, art by Matt Faulkner

Published by Charlesbridge

First line: “You need to stop seeing your shadow on Groundhog Day, pal,” said Squirrel.

Elements used: surprises the reader and makes the reader wonder something

Navya Sings for Navarahri

Words by Lakshmi Thamizhmani, art by Avani Dwivedi

Published by Harper

First line: It was the evening before the nine-night festival of Navarathri, and Navya’s aunt and cousin had finally arrived all the way from India.

Elements used: references something with universal appeal, makes the reader feel something, and hints at a universal theme

The Legend of Tiger and Tail-Flower

By Lee Gee Eun (translated by Aerin Park)

Published by Levine Querido

First line: Give me something yummy, or I’ll eat you up.

Elements used: makes the reader feel something, makes the reader wonder something, and surprises the reader

Everyone Loves Career Day But Zia

Words by Jenny Liao, art by Dream Chen

Published by Alfred A Knopf

First line: Everyone loves Career Day.

Elements used: Makes the reader feel something and wonder something

Just What To Do

Words by Kyle Lukoff, art by Hala Tahboub

Published by Dial Books for Young Readers

First line: When my brother’s cactus died, I knew just what to do.

Elements used: makes the reader feel something and wonder something and surprises the reader

Just Like Millie

By Lauren Castillo

Published by Candlewick Press

First line: Before Millie, it was just Mom and me, in a new city, in our new apartment.

Elements used: Makes the reader feel something and wonder something

The Gale

Words by Mo Yan, art by Zhu Chengliang (translated by Ying-Hwa Hu)

Published by Simon&Schuster Books for Young Readers

First line: Behind our house is a long, winding river, and following it northeast, miles and miles, is a meadow, overrun with wild grass, which Yeye cuts down every summer.

Elements used: establishes the setting of the story