May 2022

Every month, I check out 30 recently published picture books and share their first lines (and hooks, for NF).

Elements of a great first line

*makes the reader wonder something                     

*sets the tone for the story                                             

*starts in the middle of the action                               

*hints at a universal theme                                             

*establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader into the story

*introduces the main character and their problem
(bonus points if the character is particularly unusual)

*sets the scene of the story

*hints at the how the story will end

*engages the reader

*engages multiple senses

*references a beloved classic

*hints at an unusual premise

Nigel and the Moon

By Antwan Eady, art by Gracey Zhang

2022

First line: At night, he tells the moon his dreams.

elements used: references the universal intrigue of dreams and makes the reader wonder something

Let's Do Everything and Nothing

By Julia Kuo

2022

First line: Will you climb a hill with me?

elements used: engages the reader

ALSO

By E.B. Goodale

2022

First line: Today, I am at gramma's house, high on the hill, amongst the blueberry bushes.

elements used: hints at the universal joy of visiting a grandparent

Lost and Found

By Kate Banks, art by Galia Bernstein

2022

First line: The wood mouse and the rabbit raced around the big bend in the forest.

elements used: hints at the universal theme of playtime and starts in the middle of an action

Digger and the Duckling

By Joseph Kuefler

2022

First line: Digger and his crew loved to work.

elements used: introduces a main character that most kids love

Dear Reader

By Tiffany Rose

2022

First line: Dear Reader, do you see that little girl down there?

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

 This Is the Tree We Planted

By Kate McMullan, art by Alison Friend

2022

First line (over three pages): This is the TREE This is the TREE This is the TREE we planted!

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

Climb on!

By Baptiste Paul, art by Jacqueline Alcantara

2022

First line: Morning, Dad!

elements used: hints at the universal theme of excitement and makes the reader wonder something

Bubblecat vs. Dragonbear

By Sean Charmatz

2022

First line: Hi, I’m BubbleCat!

elements used: introduces an unusual main character and hints at the main character’s problem

No Nibbling!

By Beth Ferry, art by A.N. Kang

2022

First line: One warm spring day, Derwood planted a garden.

elements used: mentions the universal joy of spring and gardening

Good Job, George!

By Jane O’Connor, art by Andrew Joyner

2022

First line: Guess who’s the best helper.

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

When the Sakura Bloom

By Narisa Togo

2022

First line: Hustle, bustle; hurry dash.

elements used: sets the tone of the story and establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in

Gibberish

By Young Vo

2022

First line: First, Dat sailed on a boat, then flew on a plane, and today Dat will be on a school bus.

elements used: introduces the main character and hints at the universal excitement and anxiety of travel and starting school

Bob Ross, Peapod the Squirrel, and the Happy Accident

By Robb Pearlman, art by Bob Ross with Jason Kayser

2022

First line: My little squirrel friend, Peapod, and I are going to paint a picture right here on our canvas.

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

No Bunnies Here!

By Tammi Sauer, art by Ross Burach

2022

First line: Oh! Hello there, Wolf.

elements used: makes the reader wonder something and references a beloved classic

Hello, Puddle!

By Anita Sanchez, art by Luisa Uribe

2022

First line: Hello, puddle!

elements used: introduces a unique setting

John's Turn

By Mac Barnett, art by Kate Berube

2022

First line: On Fridays there’s Assembly.

elements used: hints at the universal theme of routine

Everything Will Be OK

By Anna Dewdney, art by Judy Schachner

2022

First line: Is there jelly on your bread when you wanted cheese instead?

elements used: engages the reader, engages multiple senses, hints at the universal theme of disappointment, and establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in

The Book That Did NOT Want to Be Read

By David Sundin

2022

First line: Once upon a time, there was a child who couldn't fall asleep.

elements used: hints at the universal theme of not being able to fall asleep and makes the reader wonder something

Nellie Vs. Elizabeth

By Kate Hannigan, art by Rebecca Gibbon

2022

Hook: follows the two journalists as they race around the world

First line: Eager and energetic, stunt reporter Nellie Bly loved to be in the thick of things—mud, muck, and all.

elements used: introduces the main character and engages multiple senses

Fall Down Seven Times
Stand Up Eight

By Jen Bryant, art by Toshiki Nakamura

2022

Hook: life story of the first Asian American woman to be elected to Congress spotlighting the various challenges she tackled on her way there by reminding herself of the Japanese proverb of the title.

First line: Patsy Takemoto was surrounded by water.

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

My Must-Have MOM

By Maudie Smith, art by Jen Khatun

2022

First line: My mom’s not like most moms.

elements used: makes the reader wonder something

There's a LION in the Forest!

By Monica Carnesi

2022

First line: Deep in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, a new sound traveled through the trees.

elements used: establishes a unique setting, makes the reader wonder something, and engages multiple senses

I Color Myself DIFFERENT

By Colin Kaepernick, art by Eric Wilkerson

2022

First line: Hey, I’m Colin.

elements used: introduces the main character and engages the reader

Show the World!

By Angela Dalton, art by Daria Peoples

2022

First line: Look around.

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

The GREAT ZAPFINO

By Mac Barnett, art by Marla Frazee

2022

First line: Behold: THE GREAT ZAPFINO!

elements used: hints at a beloved classic and makes the reader wonder something

Revolutionary
Prudence Wright

mBy Beth Anderson, art by Susan Reagan

2022

First line: Prudence Cummings painted, snipped, and folded her precious piece of paper, crafting a “love box” like any colonial girl.

elements used: introduces the main character, establishes the time period of the story, engages multiple senses, and makes the reader wonder something

Bobcat Prowling

By Maria Gianferrari, art by Bagram Ibatoulline

2022

First line: Beyond your house, behind tall pines, under paling stars Mother Bobcat wakes.

elements used: engages the reader, establishes a poetic tone, and engages multiple senses

Perfectly PEGASUS

By Jessie Sima

2022

First line: Nimbus was born high in the sky.

elements used: makes the reader wonder something

People are WILD

By Margaux Meganck

2022

First line: Mama, what is that?

elements used: Hints at the universal theme of curiosity

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