Even though you're older now, you can still enjoy books meant for little kids. According to Stylist, here are the best opening lines from children's books.
1. Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
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"Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, "and what is the use of a book," thought Alice 'without pictures or conversation?'"
2. Peter Pan, J. M. Barrie
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"All children, except one, grow up."
3. Charlotte's Web, E.B. White
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"Where's Papa going with that axe?" said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast."
4. The Story of Tracy Beaker, Jacqueline Wilson
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"My name is Tracy Beaker. I am 10 years 2 months old. My birthday is on May 8. It's not fair, because that dopey Peter Ingham has his birthday then too, so we just got the one cake between us. And we had to hold the knife to cut the cake together. Which meant we only had half a wish each. Wishing is for babies anyway. Wishes don't come true."
5. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, Jon Scieszka
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"Everybody knows the story of the Three Little Pigs. Or at least they think they do. But I'll let you in on a little secret. Nobody knows the real story, because nobody has ever heard my side of the story. I'm the Wolf."
6. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, J. K. Rowling
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"Mr and Mrs Dursley, of number four Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much."
7. Johnny and the Dead, Terry Pratchett
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"Johnny never knew for certain why he started seeing the dead."
8. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, C.S. Lewis
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"There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it."
9. Pinocchio, Carlo Collodi
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"Once upon a time there lived... 'A king!' my little readers will say immediately. No, children, you are mistaken. Once upon a time there was a piece of wood."
10. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain
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"You don't know about me without you have read a book called 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,' but that ain't no matter."
11. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Series, Ann Brashares
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"Once upon a time there was a pair of pants."
12. Batman: Year One, Frank Miller
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"Gotham City. Maybe it's all I deserve, now. Maybe it's just my time in Hell."
13. The Catcher in the Rye, J. D. Salinger
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"If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth."
14. A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens
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"Marley was dead, to begin with."
15. Matilda, Roald Dahl
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amazon.com
"A funny thing about mothers and fathers. Even when their own child is the most disgusting little blister you could ever imagine, they still think that he or she is wonderful.”
What was your favorite book as a child?
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes a great opening line in a children's book?
- A great opening line captures attention, sparks imagination, and sets the tone for the story.
- Why are opening lines important in children's books?
- They engage young readers immediately and encourage them to keep reading.
- Can opening lines help with children's reading skills?
- Yes, catchy opening lines can boost curiosity and motivate kids to practice reading.
- Are these opening lines suitable for all ages?
- Most are crafted for early readers but can appeal to a wide range of children's ages.
- How can I use these opening lines with my child?
- Read them aloud to spark discussion or inspire creative storytelling at home.
- Do these opening lines reflect diverse characters and settings?
- Many featured lines showcase a variety of voices and inclusive stories.
- Can opening lines inspire kids to write their own stories?
- Absolutely! Great openings encourage kids to imagine and create their own beginnings.
- Are these lines from classic or contemporary books?
- The list includes a mix of timeless classics and modern favorites.
- How often should children read books with strong openings?
- Regularly, as strong openings help maintain interest and build reading habits.
- Where can I find more books with amazing opening lines?
- Libraries, bookstores, and online recommendations often highlight books with engaging starts.