"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

February 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

This Is My Bag: A Story of the Unhoused 

Words by Roxanne Chester, art by Abraham Matias

Published by Paw Prints

First line: This is my bag.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something


Read Roxanne's first line revision journey here

Ice Cream Everywhere

Words by Judy Campbell-Smith, art by Lucy Semple

Published by Sleeping Bear Press

First line: All over the world, you can find people making and eating ice cream."

Elements used: engages multiple senses, references something with universal appeal, and makes the reader feel something

How Do You Spell UNFAIR?

Words by Carole Boston Weatherford, art by Frank Morrison

Published by Candlewick Press

First line: Magnolia Cox was no ordinary kid.

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

The Words We Share

By Jack Wong

Published by annick press

First line: Angie! (also in Cantonese)

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

To Boldly Go

Words by Angela Dalton, art by Lauren Semmer

Published by Harper

First line: It was TV night—the best night—and I could hear the click-click-clicking of buttons as Dad searched for the right channel.

Elements used: engages multiple senses, starts in the middle of the action, uses unique formatting, and makes the reader feel something

A Walk in the Woods

By Niki Grimes, Jerry Pinkney, and Brian Pinkney

Published by Neal Porter Books

First line: A week after the funeral, I stare in the morning mirror, angry that my father’s eyes stare back at me.

Elements used: makes the reader feel something

Nesting Dolls

By Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Published by Crown Books for Young Readers

First line: Isn’t my sister, Sorie, Pretty?

Elements used: makes the reader feel something

SUPERBABY

Words by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard, art by Lincoln Agnew

Published by Neal Porter Books

First line: This is no ordinary baby.

Elements used: Makes the reader wonder something

The Power of Snow

Words by Bob Raczka, art by Bryony Clarkson

Published by Millbrook Press

First line: Two flakes play.

Elements used: employs poetic devices and surprises the reader

A Dollar's Grand Dream

Words by Kimberly Wilson, art by Mark Hoffmann

Published by Page Street Kids

First line: From the minute Big Bill zipped through the printer, he took the reins as a tippin’, payin’, donating’ dollar.

Elements used: introduces an unusual main character and establishes a unique voice

Interested in a FULL CRITIQUE of your PB manuscript? Click here.