August 2022

by John Bray, art by Josh Cleland

published by Starry Forrest Books

First line: Have a great summer! THE END.

elements used: makes the reader wonder something, hints at an unusual premise, and subverts the reader's expectations

by Paula Cohen

published by Levine Querido

First line: Shirley’s family had big dreams for their new store in their new neighborhood.

elements used: makes the reader wonder something

By Roseanne Greenfield Thong, art by Ebony Glenn

published by Viking Books for Young Readers

First line (over two spreads): Cats purr, cats dream, cats meow, cats scream!

elements used: introduces the main character and the concept, and incorporates multiple senses

by rebecca jordan-glum

published by Roaring Brook Press

First line: “Don’t worry about a thing,” Granny said. “The cat will be just fine!”

elements used: makes the reader wonder something 

by Shar Tuiasoa

published by Harper Collins

First line: Hi, I’m Punky!

elements used: introduces the main character

by Jenny Lacika, art by Teresa Martinez

published by Charlesbridge

First line: Rafael needs to protect his toys.

elements used: introduces the main character and his problem, and makes the reader wonder something

by Aimee Reid, art by Jing Jing Tsong

published by Beach Lane Books

First line: First morning sun.

elements used: introduces the concept and hints at a universal theme

by Philip Stead

published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers

First line: Oh, I’d like to be the raindrop falling on a turtle shell

elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in and introduces an unusual premise

by Bill Martin Jr and Michael Sampson, art by Nathalie Beauvois

published by Brown Books Pub Group

First line: Now the day has ended, and the birds no longer fly.

elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in and hints at a universal theme

by Thanhha Lai, art by Nguyen Quang and Kim Lien

published by HarperCollins

First line: Every day after school, An greets her grandparents in Vietnamese.

elements used: introduces the main character, uses the universal theme of routine, and makes the reader wonder something

by Dev Petty, art by Mike Boldt

published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers

First line: I am a smart dog.

elements used: introduces the main character, makes the reader wonder something, and subverts the reader's expectations

by Jazmyn Simon, art by Tamisha Anthony

published by Random House Books for Young Readers

First line: Irie ran down the stairs wearing her winter hat, her hair covered by the pink wool.

elements used: introduces the main character and hints at her problem, and incorporates multiple senses

by the Fan Brothers

published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

First line: It was Saturday.

elements used: makes the reader wonder something and hints at the universal appeal of the weekend

by Sherri Duskey Rinker, art by Don Tate

published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

First line: As the sun begins to rise, brightening the morning skies: Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud! 

elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in, incorporates multiple senses, and makes the reader wonder something

by David Barclay Moore, art by John Holyfield

published by Candlewick

First line: All the folks in Walkerton, Georgia, remembered the hot, sweaty afternoon when ol' Rootilla Redgums and her peculiar grandson strolled into town.

elements used: introduces the main character, makes the reader wonder something, and incorporates multiple senses

by Wafa' Tarnowska, art by Vali Mintzi

published by Barefoot Books

First line: There was a girl named Nour who lived in the city of Damascus, which was described by those who loved it as the "fragrant place." 

elements used: introduces the main character and establishes the setting of the story

by Mary Robinette Kowal, art by Diana Mayo

published by Roaring Brook Press

First line: Molly moved to the Moon.

elements used: introduces the main character, makes the reader wonder something, and subverts the reader's expectations

by Jo Empson

published by WorthyKids

First line: Tiny Blue was very little, but his head was filled with very BIG questions.

elements used: introduces the main character and hints at the universal theme of curiosity

by Daniel Pinkwater, art by Aaron Renier

published by Harry N. Abrams

First line: Matt Katz is the president of Kat Hats Incorporated, a company in the old city of Pretzelburg.

elements used: introduces the main character, establishes an unusual setting and topic, and makes the reader wonder something

by Kathy Z Price, art by Carl Joe Williams

published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

First line: Days before the storm, there was a burning-up sun.

elements used: makes the reader wonder something, incorporates multiple senses, and uses the universal theme of the weather

by Allan Peterkin, art by Sandhya Prabhat

published by Magination Press

First line: PEACOCK was the only peacock in the whole zoo, and he liked it that way.

elements used: introduces an unusual main character and establishes the setting

by Harshita Jerath, art by Kamala M Nair

published by Albert Whitman & Company

First line: Today was Mr. Kapoor’s birthday, so Mrs. Kapoor decided to cook his favorite dessert.

elements used: makes the reader wonder something and references the universal appeal of birthdays and dessert

by Morgane de Cadier, art by Florian Pige

published by Blue Dot Kids Press

First line: I know the forest inside out.

elements used: makes the reader wonder something and references the universal appeal of  knowledge

By VIviane Elbee, art by Nicole Miles

published by little bee books

First line: Daryl loved only one book.

elements used: introduces the main character and makes the reader wonder something

by Sang-Keun Kim

published by Harry N. Abrams

First line: It’s the kind of night when you just can’t fall asleep.

elements used: engages the reader and references the universal theme of sleeplessness

by Julio Torres, art by Julian Glander

published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

First line: Hi. I have something to say.

elements used: introduces an unusual main character

by Erin Napier, art by Adam Trest

published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

First line: I am a brand-new house, and I glow like a lantern in the night.

elements used: introduces an unusual character and appeals to the universal theme of home

by Taiye Selasi, art by Tinuke Fagorun

published by DK Children

First line: There was once a little boy whose name was Kweku, but everyone called him Anansi.

elements used: introduces the main character and references a beloved classic

By Ellie Peterson

published by Roaring Brook Press

First line: So you want to hug a pufferfish.

elements used: engages the reader, subverts the reader's expectations, and establishes a unique premise

by Ann Hazzard adn Vivianna Aponte Rivera, art by Gloira Felix

published by Magination Press

First line: Carmen’s father was a magician.

elements used: references the universal appeal of magic