"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
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.
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
words by Jessica Stremer, art by Gordy Wright
published by Holiday House
First line: Once a floating city, where sailors scurried as planes launched into battle, the USS Oriskany completed hundreds of daring missions, earning the nickname, the Mighty-O.
Elements used: introduces the main character, engages multiple senses, starts in the middle of the action, and makes the reader wonder something.
Comp tags: NF, wartime ships, ocean reef
1ST LINE - GREAT CARRIER REEF
By Jessica Stremer and Gord Wright (illustrator)
Current: See entire first spread at the end
Once a floating city
Where sailors scurried
As planes launched into battle,
The USS Oriskany completed hundreds of daring missions,
Earning the nickname, “The Mighty O.”
1st Draft:
1950
A steel giant rises up from the shipyard.
Plate by plate.
Bolt by bolt.
Jessica remembers: The USS Oriskany is the main character of the story, and with this version I introduced readers to the ship by starting with its construction. There was also a desire to evoke emotion to help readers connect with the ship. I wanted readers to see the USS Oriskany as strong and powerful so they would feel more passionately about its transformation.
2nd Draft:
1950
The USS Oriskany’s bow slices through the waves of the Pacific Ocean.
Nicknamed the Mighty-O,
Sailors scurry across the aircraft carrier’s flight deck
as planes launch into the sky.
E e e e e e r r o o o o m!
Jessica remembers: In this version I started with the ship in action. I still tried to evoke emotion by using strong verbs like slices, while also including a bit about the ship’s purpose/mission. The “service” component comes into play again in the ending and ties into one of the themes of this book.
I received a revise and resubmit from the editor who would eventually acquire this manuscript. These were her comments for the opening spread:
“I wonder about the tense here. I think of the story as beginning after the Mighty-O has already finished its final mission. Should this portion be past tense?
Changing the tense might also help situate the story. You don’t want readers to begin and think “Wait, is this a military history book?” If you open by establishing that the Mighty-O served the Navy rather than serves the Navy, that might help to make it clear that the book is about what happened next.”
She was right about changing the tense, and I still needed to introduce the USS Oriskany to the readers and show that the ship was retired from service before it began its transformation. Originally, I had 3 or 4 spreads only about the ship before ever getting to the why behind the Mighty-O’s transformation - coral reefs. Since this was a key component of the story (and I really wanted the R&R to be successful), I knew it was time to kill some darlings!
It took a few tries, but I was eventually able to condense everything I wanted to say about the ship’s history before its big transformation onto the opening spread. As a military spouse, it was important to me that the historical details from the USS Oriskany’s time in service be included. My editor agreed and together we found a home for those details in the back matter.
Here’s the current opening spread:
Once a floating city,
where sailors scurried
as planes launched into battle,
the USS Oriskany completed
hundreds of daring missions,
earning the nickname, the Mighty-O.
After years of battering by the salty sea,
the retired aircraft carrier seemed destined to sit forever chained to a pier.
Rusted, empty, without purpose.
But for the Mighty-O,
a different fate was coming.
I was really happy with how the revisions turned out and obviously the editor was, too! We only ended up changing one word on that first spread after she acquired the manuscript. I think this opening is perfect because it succinctly introduces the ship, describes its purpose, conveys emotion, and sets the tone for the rest of the story. I hope readers will check out GREAT CARRIER REEF to see how the story progresses!
By Helena Ku Rhee and Pascal Campion
Published by Random House Studio
First line: Jae was new to the country, the city, the building.
Elements used: Introduces the main character, hints at the setting, and makes the reader wonder something
Comp tags: friendship, imagination, immigration, new language, transition
Words by Meg Fleming, art by Brandom James Scott
Published by Harper
First line: I live in a tree trunk.
Elements used: hints at a unique premise
Comp tags: animal homes, rhyming, repeating refrain
By Blythe Russo
Published by Viking
First line: Sloth is invited to her very first sleepover!
Elements used: references something with universal appeal, and introduces the main character
Comp tags: friendship, sleepovers
Words by R.L. Stine, art by Marc Brown
Published by Orchard Books
First line: Hunny and Funny are monsters.
Elements used: introduces the main characters and surprises the reader
Comp tags: monsters, friendship, humor, jokes
Words by Julianne Moore, art by Meilo So
Published by chronicle books
First line: My Mom is a foreigner; she’s from another place.
Elements used: surprises the reader, makes the reader wonder something, and establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in
Comp tags: first-generation immigrant, EAL
By Zoey Abbott
Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers
First line: One morning, Pig woke up feeling a bit out of sorts.
Elements used: hints at a universal theme and makes the reader wonder something
Comp tags: fears, worries, friendship
By Elizabeth Laird and Olivia Holden
Published by Tiny Owl
First line: It’s so boring at home.
Elements used: references the universal theme of boredom
Comp tags: anthropomorphism, fantasy, imagination
Words by Hanh Bui, art by Minnie Phan
Published by Feiwel and Friends
First line: It was the day before International Day at school, and Naliah couldn’t help but be a little nervous.
Elements used: Introduces the main character, establishes the setting of the story, and makes the reader wonder something and feel something
Comp tags: traditions, cultural clothing, mistakes, lessons, memories
By Daniel Salmieri
Published by Rocky Pond Books
First line: In the dark sky floats a bright planet
Elements used: sets the tone for the story and introduces the concept
Comp tags: opposites, circle of life
Words by Maureen Fergus, art by Danesh Mohiuddin
Published by Owlkids Books
First line: Princess Pru’s life was practically perfect.
Elements used: introduces the main character, uses poetic devices, and makes the reader wonder something
Comp tags: humor, rhyme, prejudice, stereotypes, courage, parties
Words by Carole P. Roman, art by Mateya Arkova
Published by Chelshire, Inc
First line: Henrietta Hedgehog rolled into a tight ball under her quilt.
Elements used: introduces the main character and makes the reader feel something
Comp tags: bullying, differences, acceptance, love for self
By Avani Dwivedi
Published by Candlewick Press
First line: Bollywood movies are made of dreams and adventures, and I long to discover them all.
Elements used: introduces the main character and their goal
Comp tags: Bollywood, dreams, Mumbai, imagination
Words by Shira Boss, art by Lorena Alvarez
Published by Clarion Books
First line: IN FRONT OF DANI’S BUILDING WAS A HOLE.
Elements used: introduces the main character, makes the reader wonder something, and uses unique formatting
Comp tags: lyrical, seasons
By Cyndi Marko
Published by Sion & Schuster Books for Young Readers
First line: Gilly was practically a fish.
Elements used: introduces the main character and hints at something with universal appeal
Comp tags: mystery, assumptions, fear, helping
Words by Aisha Saeed, art by LeUyen Pham
Published by Salaam Reads
First line: Rumi joined Ms. Garza’s class on the first warm day of spring.
Elements used: introduces the main character, hints at the universal theme of starting a new school, and makes the reader feel something
Comp tags: bullying, friendship, moving
Words by Amy Bloom, art by Jamella Wahlgren
Published by Norton Young Readers
First line: Nicki came downstairs one morning and checked out the world.
Elements used: introduces the main character
Comp tags: self love, individuality, gender expression, weddings, family
By Andy Harkness
Published by BLoomsbury Children’s Books
First line: Wolfboy was having so much fun.
Elements used: introduces an unusual main character and makes the reader wonder something.
Comp tags: Fear, adventure, surprises
By Andrea Zuill
Published by Random House Studio
First line: Little Cap lived with his best friend, Gustav, in their cozy house.
Elements used: introduces an unusual main character and establishes the setting of the story
Comp tags: facing fears, adventure, friendship
Words by Howard Calvert, art by Karen Obuhanych
Published by Candlewick Press
First line: I’ve entered a running race.
Elements used: establishes the setting of the story
Comp tags: origin story, persistence, good attitude, trying new things
Corey R. Tabor
Published by Balzer + Bray
First line: Simon was out playing by the pond when he found a bone.
Elements used: introduces the main character and makes the reader feel something
Comp tags: unusual structure, unusual premise, surprising the reader
Words by Alessandra Requena, art by Guilherme Karsten
Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
First line: The sun was bright adn hot on the first day of our vacation.
Elements used: references something with universal appeal and engages multiple senses
Comp tags: humor, pooping, siblings, family, summer, swimming, accidents
By Sarah Kurpiel
Published by Greenwillow Books
First line: Snake set out to sculpt the best, most spectacular, positively greatest clay pot in art class.
Elements used: introduces the main character and their goal and establishes an unusual premise
Comp tags: friendship, taking undue credit, art class, apologizing, making things right
Words by Im Seo-Ha, art by Minjoo Kim
Published by Brown Books Kids
First line: “Good morning, partner!”
Elements used: makes the reader wonder something
Comp tags: games, competition, friendship
Words by Ariel Bernstein, art by Marc Rosenthal
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
First line: Cat and Duck, two very good friends, arrived at the playground.
Elements used: introduces the main characters and establishes the setting of the story
Comp tags: fear, anxiety, adventure, trying new things, friendship
By Daniel Napp
Published by Kane Miller
First line: Welcome to this year’s World Sleep Championship!
Elements used: engages the reader and introduces a unique premise
Comp tags: competition, sleep, animals
Words by Kitty Donohoe, art by Anne Wilsdorf
Published by anne schwartz books
First line: If you want to ride a dragonfly, you have a problem—you are too big!
Elements used: engages the reader and introduces a unique premise
Comp tags: imagination, adventure, following rules
Words by Ani Di Franco, art by Julia Mathew
Published by Rise
First line: I have a name and my name has a story
Elements used: makes the reader feel something
Comp tags: rhyme, empowerment, identity
Words by Sara E. Echenique, art by Ashley Vargas
Published by Charlesbridge
First line: OUR ROOF IS BLUE, AZUL.
Elements used: introduces a unique premise
Comp tags: hurricanes, climate change, natural disasters, trauma, adventure, imagination, siblings
Words by Suzi Lewis-Barned, art by Sophie Elliot
Published by Windmill Books
First line: Grandpa forgets what he had for breakfast.
Elements used: Starts in the middle of the action and makes the reader wonder something and feel something
Comp tags: intergenerational relationships, dementia, hope
Words by Molly Webster, art by Alex Willmore
Published by Philomel
First line: There was once a little black hole who loved everything in the universe.
Elements used: introduces a unique main character
Comp tags: black holes, space, STEM, SEL
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