How To Start Your Children’s Book

You know that feeling when you start a new book and just know it’s going to be good? The kind where you’re hooked before you’ve even made it past chapter one? 

For children, that feeling often starts with the very first line.

When you've got a story with a short word count and a reader with an even shorter attention span, there's no time to ease into your story. The way you start your book is going to set the tone for the rest of the story, so a lot is riding on that first line. 

In this blog, I’ll discuss why the first line matters so much, what it can accomplish, and strategies to help you craft an opening line for your children’s book that gets your story off to a strong start. 

Why Is the Opening Line of a Children’s Book SO Important? 

Children have short attention spans, so if you don’t hook them on the first page, they’re likely going to tune out or move on. That first line isn’t just for the kids, either. It’s also what makes parents think, “Okay, this one’s worth buying.” 

Think of it like starting a new show—if that first episode doesn’t hook you, you probably won’t keep watching. It’s the same with children’s books. The first line of your book needs to spark curiosity and excitement so that children can’t wait to turn the page. 

What a Great First Line Does

Just like the opening scene of a movie, the first line of a children’s book sets the tone and invites the reader to lean in to what’s about to happen. Let’s look at some opening lines for children’s books that demonstrate how to hook young readers:

“Athena saw it happen!” — Athena, Tudor, and the Eagle

This line immediately pulls us into the action. What did Athena see? It makes us want to know more—which means we’re already turning the page. 

“It was only the first week of school and already Lolis knew she was in trouble.” — Brave Lolis Learns English

Right away, we’re introduced to conflict and emotion. The reader is immediately invited into Lolis’ world, waiting and ready to see what’s going to happen. 

“Sage did not want to be on a boat in the Napo River, but that’s exactly where she was.” — One Joyful Adventure at a Time

Here we see the setting, are introduced to a character, and feel the immediate tension in the very first sentence. Why is Sage on a boat? Why doesn’t she want to be there? This makes the reader curious and excited for the adventure that’s to come. 

“Gertie Groundhog rushed around getting ready for school. Today was not the day to be late.” — Gertie Saves the Day

This book opens with immediate urgency and a sense that something important is coming… but what could it be? The reader is left wondering, why is today different?

While these lines are all written differently, they all do one important thing: they leave us curious. They pose a question and invite little readers to say "tell me more!".

How To Write a Strong Opening

As you brainstorm ideas for the opening line of your children’s book, go do a little research. Read other children’s books and pay attention to what makes you turn the page. As you read, you’ll find that many books start with one of the following: 

A questionA problemAn unexpected situationAn emotionAn actionA voice

Let’s look at why each of these openings is a compelling option as a first line for your children’s book.  

Start With a Question

A question gets your readers thinking right away. It invites them in by making them curious about the answer.

Example: “Have you ever tried to hide an elephant in your backyard?”

Start With a Problem/Tension

A problem right away builds momentum. Readers naturally want to know what happens next and how things will be resolved. 

Example: “Max had a big secret—and he was sitting on it. Literally.” 

Start With an Unexpected Situation

Starting with something surprising or out of place is a fun twist that readers won’t see coming, and it sparks curiosity. They’ll begin to wonder: how did things end up this way? 

Example: “Grandma was on the roof again—and she wasn’t coming down until someone brought her socks.”

Start With Emotion

Children relate to feelings. Describing an emotion off the bat gives your reader something to connect with. 

Example: “Lola felt like her tummy was full of fireworks.”

Start With Action

Action is fast-paced and gets the story started immediately. The reader is instantly pulled into the moment without any build-up. 

Example: “Sammy was halfway up the tree before anyone noticed.”

Start With Voice

Dialogue is a great way to kick off a story because it sets the tone and introduces you to the main character. 

Example: "Grandpa says it’s not stealing if the squirrel gives you permission." 

Try This Exercise

Write three different first lines for your current story idea using the strategies above. Aim for curiosity. You don’t have to say everything—you just have to make your reader want more. After you’ve written some options, read them out loud and see which one feels the most compelling for your story. 

The First Line Is Just the Beginning

It’s true—you need a great first line and intro to hook your readers. But you also need a strong middle and end. After all, readers fall in love with your story, not a sentence. If you want to learn how to write a book from start to finish that children will love for years to come, I’ve got something for you: Watch the Free Training: How To Write a Picture Book Children Will LOVE.

I’ll share the only three secrets you need to start writing a great children’s picture book.

FAQs

Why is the opening of a children’s book so important? 

Children have short attention spans, and picture books have limited word counts. This means every sentence has to work hard. If the first line doesn’t hook them, they’ll move on. 

What does a strong first line accomplish in a children’s book? 

There are endless ways to start a story, but the best first lines spark curiosity and invite the reader in. They make the reader want to know what happens next—right now. 

How can I write a strong opening for my children’s book? 

When it comes to writing the opening line for your children’s book, try one of these strategies: start with a question, introduce a problem or moment of tension, drop into an unexpected situation, lead with an emotion kids can relate to, jump into the action, or show off your character’s voice with dialogue.