Mary Had A Little Plan

By Charlotte Offsay, art by Asa Gilland

Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers

First line (over two spreads): When a child is born…a grandma is born too.

Elements used: hints at the universal theme of family and references something with universal appeal (magic)

By Breanna J McDaniel, art by Tonya Engel

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

First line: When Grana was better, she told Mable the best stories.

Elements used: introduces the main characters and makes the reader wonder something 

By Greg Pizzoli

PublishAed by Viking

First line: This is pizza.

Elements used: references something universally loved

By Jessika von Innerebner

Published by Dial Books for Young Readers

First line: This is Olivia.

Elements used: introduces the main character

By Bruce Goldstone, art by Julien Chung

Published by Orchard Books

First line: I see one wallaby…and zero zebras.

Elements used: subverts the readers expectations

By Hallee ADelman, art by Karen Wall

Published by Albert Whitman & Company

First line: We were almost at Grammy and Pops’s for our sleepover when the clouds got big and dark.

Elements used:  hints at the universal theme of family, references something universally loved (sleepovers), and makes the reader feel something

By Laurie Keller

Published by Christy Ottaviano Books

First line: Who is Lady Jenny, 2C?

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

By Lita Judge

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

First line: Ball was Mouse’s favorite, and with it, he played alone.

Elements used: introduces the main character and starts in the middle of the action

By Alicia D. Williams, art by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

First line: Hi, I’m Jay.

Elements used: introduces the main character

By Richard Ho, art by Jocelyn Li Langrand

Published by Greenwillow Books

First line: Rat felt guilty.

Elements used:  introduces the main character, hints at their problem, and makes the reader wonder something

By Sun Yung Shin, Shannon Gibney, John Coy, art by Dion MBD

Published by Carolrhoda Books

First line: We come from stardust, our bodies made of ancient elements.

Elements used: references a universal theme

By Annie Barrows, art by Leo Espinosa

Published by chronicle books

First line: Hello. You are you, and I am I. 

Elements used: engages the reader and hints at an unusual premise

By Alice Blumenthal McGinty, art by Laurel Molk

Published by Candlewick Press

First line: Rabbi Ruben treasured his synagogue—from its cheery red bricks to its lively windows to the musty, dustry attic up on top.

Elements used: introduces the main character, engages multiple senses, and makes the reader wonder something

By Monica Mayper, art by Jaime Kim

Published by Clarion Books

First line: There was a howl, a dark whirl of wind and power.

Elements used:  engages multiple senses and makes the reader feel something

By Chris Haughton

Published by Candlewick Press

First line: “Oh! Where is Mommy going?” says Little Penguin.

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

By Rhiannon Giddens, art by Monica Mikai

Published by Candlewick Press

First line: You brought me here to build your house to build your house to build your house.

Elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in and references a beloved classic

By Pearl AuYeung

Published by Page Street Kids

First line: Once upon a morning in Hong Kong, in the alley of Tai Yuen Street, my family was setting up for the day.

Elements used:  sets the scene of the story and establishes a unique setting

By Molly Idle

Published by Little, Brown and Company

First line: In the spring, Hilda helped Hazel sweep the front porch.

Elements used: introduces the main characters and starts in the middle of the action

By Namita Moolani Mehra, art by Chaaya Prabhat

Published by two lions

First line: In the heart of Iittle India sat an old cafe with an oldish owner and an even older secret.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

By Constance Lombardo, art by Dan & Jason

Published by Hippo Park

First line: Time for breakfast!!!

Elements used: references something with universal appeal

By J. Donnini, art by Luke Scriven

Published by Bushel & Peck Books

First line: It was a special day for Crue, and he buzzed with excitement.

Elements used: introduces the main character and makes the reader wonder something and feel something

By Glenys Nellist, art by Sally Garland

Published by beaming books

First line: It was Little Mole’s first day of school.

Elements used: references a universal event and makes the reader feel something

By Andrew Larsen, art by Dorothy Leung

Published by Kids Can Press

First line: Grandma’s been staying with us since she got sick.

Elements used: makes the reader feel something

By Helen Cooper, art by GIll Smith

Published by Candlewick Studio

First line: There were two of them left in the boat.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

By Deborah Farmer Kris, art by Jennifer Zivoin

Published by free spirit

First line: Who, what, when, where, why, and how?

Elements used: hints at the universal theme of curiosity

By Philip Waechter

Published by Gecko Press

First line: This is Raccoon.

Elements used: introduces an unusual main character

By Charise Mericle Harper

Published by union square kids

First line: This is my shape.

Elements used: hints at an unusual premise

By Deborah Underwood, art by Sergio Russier

Published by Beach Lane Books

First line: Walter had a best friend named Xavier

Elements used: references the universal theme of friendship and makes the reader wonder something

By Rachel Noble, art by Katie Rewse

Published by amicus ink

First line: It’s just Daddy and me.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something and feel something

By Aaron Blabey

Published by Scholastic Press

First line: Pig was a pug and I’m sorry to say, after years of his antics it was now time to pay.

Elements used:  establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in, introduces the main character and hints at his problem