Opening lines have the power to captivate young readers and spark their imagination, setting the tone for a memorable reading experience. In this article, we explore 21 of the best opening lines in children’s books that have delighted and enchanted generations of young minds.
- “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” – J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
- “Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy.” – C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
- “Where’s Papa going with that ax?” – E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web
- “Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.” – J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
- “All children, except one, grow up.” – J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
- “It was a dark and stormy night.” – Madeleine L’Engle, A Wrinkle in Time
- “In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines, lived twelve little girls in two straight lines.” – Ludwig Bemelmans, Madeline
- “There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.” – C.S. Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
- “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice (retold by Anna Milbourne)
- “Where’s my cow?” – Terry Pratchett, Thud!
- “One Thursday, nearly two thousand years after one man had been nailed to a tree for saying how great it would be to be nice to people for a change…” – Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
- “In the great forest a little elephant is born.” – H.A. Rey, Curious George
- “I write this sitting in the kitchen sink.” – Dodie Smith, I Capture the Castle
- “Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were—Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter.” – Beatrix Potter, The Tale of Peter Rabbit
- “Marley was dead, to begin with.” – Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol (retold by Lesley Sims)
- “There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife.” – Neil Gaiman, The Graveyard Book
- “It was seven minutes after midnight.” – Patrick Ness, A Monster Calls
- “Beware!!! This book contains monkeys, frogs, and a boy hero with a very sketchy secret plan.” – David Walliams, Mr. Stink
- “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” – Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities (retold by Anna Milbourne)
- “In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny.” – Margaret Wise Brown, Goodnight Moon
- “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” – Leo
Tolstoy, Anna Karenina (retold by Susanna Davidson) Each of these opening lines serves as an invitation into a world of adventure, friendship, and imagination. They hook readers from the very beginning, igniting their love for storytelling and literature.
Whether revisiting cherished classics or discovering new tales, these opening lines continue to enchant generations of children and adults alike. So, grab a book, find a cozy spot, and let these captivating opening lines transport you to magical worlds where anything is possible.
