The Three Canadian Pigs

By Alysa Satin Capucilli, art by Gladys Jose

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

First line: Library Fish loved her home on the desk of Mr. Hughes, the librarian.

Elements used: establishes the setting of the story and introduces a unique main character

By Ben “Mister G” Gundersheimer, art by Marcos Almada Rivero

Published by Nancy Paulsen Books

First line: How many squirrels are in the world?

Elements used: engages the reader and subverts the reader's expectations

By Apryl Stott

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

First line: Coco and Bear were friends from almost the first time they met.

Elements used:  introduces the main characters and referencest the universal theme of friendship

By Tom Percival

Published by Bloomsbury

First line: Milo lived in a neat little house on a neat little street.

Elements used: introduces the main character and establishes the setting

By Katelyn Aronson, art by Sarah Rebar

Published by Viking

First line: Once upon a kitchen, the fridges chilled on one side.

Elements used: establishes the setting and uses word play

By Ken Schept, art by Romina Galotta

Published by Feiwel and Friends

First line: Grandma Dot kept a small vase filled with feathers on a table by the front door.

Elements used:  makes the reader wonder something

By Anita Lobel

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

First line: Good Morning!

Elements used: engages the reader

By Lissette Norman, art by Sara Palacios

Published by Harper

First line: Platanos are like golden slices of this afternoon’s sun on our dinner plates.

Elements used: uses poetic devices and engages multiple senses

By Isaac Peterson

First line (over two spreads): Gray fox walks so lightly through the woods.

Elements used: introduces the main character, establishes the setting of the story, and engages multiple senses

By Emma Straub, art by Blanca Gomez

Published by Rocky Pond Books

First line: Do you know what a hat is?

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

By Daniel Bernstrom, art by Jenin Mohammed

Published by Harper

First line: Sunday morning, Emmalene heard a sing-along song, a busy city symphony that followed her along!

Elements used: introduces the main character and establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in 

By Kim Norman, art by David Walker

Publisehd by Farrar Straus Giroux

First line: This is the lair the bears shared.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something and establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in

By Tameka Fryer Brown, art by Nikkolas Smith

Published by Harper

First line: Bianca and I are almost twins.

Elements used: subverts the reader's expectations and references something with universal appeal

By Philip Ardagh, art by Ben Mantle

Published by Candlewick Press

First line: The penguins dive and paddle.

Elements used: incorporates poetic devices and engages multiple senses

By Stephen W. Martin, art by Brian Biggs

Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books 

First line: My name is Max and I can’t draw!

Elements used: introduces the main character and his problem

By Joan Marr, art by Lala Watkins

Published by Union Square Kids

First line: Izmelda had never seen a real princess.

Elements used: introduces the main character and hints at her problem, and subverts the reader's expectations 

By Marchant Davis, art by Keturah A. Bobo

Published by Nancy Paulsen Books

First line: Once upon a time, there was a boy named Chris—who had this hair no one could miss.

Elements used: introduces the main character and establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in

By julie fogliano, art by catia chien

Published by Neal Porter Books

First line: each day starts with the sun and hopefully something to eat

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

By Kelly DiPucchio, art by Raissa Figueroa

Published by Katherine Tegen Books

First line: Oona loved surprises

Elements used: introduces the main character

By Taimani Emerald

Published by Feiwel and Friends

First line: Even when we don’t realize it, news is spreading everywhere.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

By Ana Siqueira, art by Elisa Chavarri

Published by Harper

First line: Saturdays are superheroe days for Abuela and me.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

By Sara Chinakwe, art by Ken Daley

Published by Waterbrook

First line: You came bustling into the world, a mighty bundle of energy, ready to do great things.

Elements used: engages the reader

By Kim Taylor

Published by Neal Porter Books

First line: The scent of nutmeg and vanilla floated through our cabin…and landed as a smile on my face.

Elements used: engages multiple senses

By Todd Tarpley, art by Stephanie Laberis

Published by Little, Brown and Company

First line: High on the hill where the clover is green, and rainbows are brighter than you’ve ever seen…a wee little leprechaun popped up his head.

Elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in and introduces the main character

By Lucy Ruth Cummins, art by Pete Oswald

Published by Flamingo Books

First line: Sleepy Sheepy…was NOT SLEEPY!

Elements used: hints at the universal theme of bedtime

By Anne Wynter, art by Daniel Miyares

Published by Balzer + Bray

First line (over three spreads): Before a grip on a branch and a fall to the ground and a scrape and a leap and a reach for the top, before anyone finds out how high they can climb, Nell picks up a seed.

Elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in, introduces the main character, and subverts the reader's expectations

By Karen Obuhanych

Published by Alfred A Knopf

First line: This little kitty starts the day and meows “Wake up! It’s time to play!”

Elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in

By Molly Ruttan

Published by Nancy Paulsen Books

First line: Ever since she was small, Hannah loved to play her violin.

Elements used: introduces the main character

By Judy Press, art by AManda Gulliver

Published by Kar-Ben 

First line: This is the story of a pirate named Drew who sailed the high seas with a jolly good crew.

Elements used: estalishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in and establishes the setting of the story

By Mackenzie Joy

Published by Clarion Books

First line: People call you a wallflower.

Elements used: engages the reader