The Fine First Line
A call to adventure! Creating conflict! Both are great openers for children’s books. Introducing a new voice, or plunging into action are attention grabbers readers like. Hopefully, it entices one to continue reading.
The first sentence is the perfect spot to provide the writer an opportunity to showcase style, introduce a main character, or establish the instigating scenario of the narrative.
My latest toddler picture book, Rhymes That Go From Head to Toe, addresses the body parts through sensory discovery. Since it's written mainly for the preschool through 1st grade child, the text needs simplicity, but it doesn't have to be boring:
"BENEATH MY FUZZY HAIR THERE HIDE
TWO EARS THAT POKE OUT ON EACH SIDE."
My first line sets up the rest of the book and calls on the reader to consider their own body, their own hair style and their own ears. Where are they, and what do they do? The line also establishes the story in rhyme. You know you'll be sing-songing your way through it. And we are introduced to the "voice" of the main character as they describe themself.
Keep in mind the importance of good accompanying illustrations, and that the parent who may be reading to the child needs to be interested in where the story is heading as well.
These are some general tips I share with students in my writing workshops who become stuck on story start ups:
Set up an action scene from the start. What’s happening to your main character? (Madeline)
Begin with detailed descriptions about your setting. Set up intrigue, curiosity or just plain strangeness in or with the environment. (The Very Hungry Caterpillar)
Sometimes the author has a home run with dialog right from the start. Remember that every word counts. It doesn’t need to be a long sentence, but make it concise and something that will urge the reader to desire more details about your characters. (Charlotte’s Web)
Do you have a favorite first line from a children’s book?
Charlotte’s Web: “Where’s Papa going with that axe?”
The Very Hungry Caterpillar: “In the light of the moon, a little egg lay on a leaf.”
Madeline: “In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines.”
The Cat in the Hat: “The sun did not shine, it was too wet to play, so we sat in the house all that cold, cold, wet day.”
Peter Pan: “All children, except one, grow up.”
May your first story words be delectable, and phrases beg to be repeated. If you're a writer, remember to work in a good moral or theme and conclusion for your age group.
In Rhymes That Go From Head to Toe, the message of gratitude and self-respect shines out on the last pages:
"I LIKE TO SMILE AND FEEL MY HEART
BE THANKFUL FOR EACH HAPPY PART!"
Happy reading and writing!
Rhymes That Go From Head to Toe
The first sentence is the perfect spot to provide the writer an opportunity to showcase style, introduce a main character, or establish the instigating scenario of the narrative.
My latest toddler picture book, Rhymes That Go From Head to Toe, addresses the body parts through sensory discovery. Since it's written mainly for the preschool through 1st grade child, the text needs simplicity, but it doesn't have to be boring:
"BENEATH MY FUZZY HAIR THERE HIDE
TWO EARS THAT POKE OUT ON EACH SIDE."
My first line sets up the rest of the book and calls on the reader to consider their own body, their own hair style and their own ears. Where are they, and what do they do? The line also establishes the story in rhyme. You know you'll be sing-songing your way through it. And we are introduced to the "voice" of the main character as they describe themself.
Keep in mind the importance of good accompanying illustrations, and that the parent who may be reading to the child needs to be interested in where the story is heading as well.
These are some general tips I share with students in my writing workshops who become stuck on story start ups:
Set up an action scene from the start. What’s happening to your main character? (Madeline)
Begin with detailed descriptions about your setting. Set up intrigue, curiosity or just plain strangeness in or with the environment. (The Very Hungry Caterpillar)
Sometimes the author has a home run with dialog right from the start. Remember that every word counts. It doesn’t need to be a long sentence, but make it concise and something that will urge the reader to desire more details about your characters. (Charlotte’s Web)
Do you have a favorite first line from a children’s book?
Charlotte’s Web: “Where’s Papa going with that axe?”
The Very Hungry Caterpillar: “In the light of the moon, a little egg lay on a leaf.”
Madeline: “In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines.”
The Cat in the Hat: “The sun did not shine, it was too wet to play, so we sat in the house all that cold, cold, wet day.”
Peter Pan: “All children, except one, grow up.”
May your first story words be delectable, and phrases beg to be repeated. If you're a writer, remember to work in a good moral or theme and conclusion for your age group.
In Rhymes That Go From Head to Toe, the message of gratitude and self-respect shines out on the last pages:
"I LIKE TO SMILE AND FEEL MY HEART
BE THANKFUL FOR EACH HAPPY PART!"
Happy reading and writing!
Rhymes That Go From Head to Toe
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Lots of food for thought.