Most First Lines Don’t Work—Here’s How to Write One That Does
5 tried-and-true techniques from beloved picture books
Last week, we talked about why the first line of your picture book matters.
Today, I want to show you how to actually write one that works.
Because here’s what I’ve seen—not just in my own manuscripts, but many drafts from other writers: Most first lines are don't work hard enough.
Typically, they feel like a throw away line.
A first line has a big job: It has to invite the reader in, and make them want to stay.
Let’s look at a few tried-and-true ways great picture books open—and why these strategies hold up. Here are a few strategies you can try:
Ask a question.
“How much, how much are you worth, precious girl?” - How Much Is A Little Girl Worth, Rachel Denhollander. This line creates instant curiosity. And curiosity is the spark that keeps little listeners tuned in.
Drop a bold statement.
“Your hands are AMAZING.” - What Are Hands For? by Abbey Wedgeworth. It’s direct, unexpected—and it immediately sets the tone for a strong, positive, affirming
Create surprise or contradiction.
“There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.” The Voyage of the “Dawn Treader, by C.S. Lewis. It’s playful and unexpected, and you instantly understand something about both the narrator and the boy.
Establish setting with charm or rhythm
“One frosty morning wee Pippa swings high, beneath an old tree and a peppermint sky.” - Pippa and the Singing Tree by Kristyn Getty. This line not only paints a picture—it sets a tone. Calm. Timeless. Storybook.
Use rhythm and repetition
“Precious child, when it hurts so bad, it’s okay to be sad.” - When It Hurts, Emily Assell. Young readers love predictability—and rhythm helps them follow along, especially in read-alouds.
When someone picks up your picture book for the first time, here’s what’s running through their mind—even subconsciously:
“Does this feel fresh?”
“Is there a clear tone or style here?”
“Do I know what kind of book I’m about to read?”
“Do I care about what happens next?”
If your first line doesn’t answer those questions—or at least gesture toward them—it’s worth rewriting.
And not because you’ve failed. But because this is the work of picture book writing.
You probably won’t get it right on the first try. Or the second. Or the fiftieth.
That doesn’t mean you’re not good at this—it means you’re doing the work.
Strong first lines are often discovered through trial, error, and reading your manuscript out loud approximately 4,000 times. You’ll land on something, you’ll lose it, you’ll circle back. That’s how we make art.
And next time you open a book you love, pause on that first line. Ask yourself what it does and how it makes you feel. Pay attention. Collect them. Learn from them.
You don’t need a fancy line. You just need a line that opens a door.
Writing together,
Laura
An encouraging and helpful post!