Our selection of wise and witty opening words from 30 brilliant classic novels. Having that in mind, weve rounded up the first lines of some of the worlds most famous books, and they stand as excellent examples of how a short sentence or two can set the tone for an entire. Some great lines are flowery and beautiful, while others are direct and to the point. Dec 18, 2015 38 best first lines in novels ya edition 12182015 02. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a. According to stylist, here are the best opening lines from childrens books.
Let this collection of the opening lines from children s books serve as a nostalgic walk down memory lane and as inspiration for books you may want to share with your children too. Childrens books are a fascinating blend of simplicity and life lessons. Often when we sit with a novel on our lap thinking about the miserable lives we lead, reading the first line can, in an instant lift up our spirits and lit the candle of hope. Weve found 30 humourous, bizarre and mirthfilled opening lines of books. But a great line should always pull you out of your world and straight into the world of the book. Some of the most famous and beloved characters and stories in history originated in childrens books that have been passed down over generations. The opening lines of these favorite childrens book classics often contain a powerful call to adventure and summon the power of imagination. Here are the 100 best opening lines from your favourite childrens books. While the childrens book quotes in roald dahls novels often highlight the fight against injustice in the world, the wizard of ozs childrens books quotes, especially the most famous one. Opening lines list of books with great first lines.
An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story, he said. The opening lines from 44 timeless childrens books infographic. Search, watch, and cook every single tasty recipe and video ever all in one place. The first lines of novels set the tone for the story to come. Top 15 opening lines of childrens book classics cake. Heres an array of famous first linesand seven strategies to craft a great story starter of your own. Im the kind of person who picks up a book, glances at the back cover and flips right to the opening page. Its important to never judge a book by its cover, but how do you evaluate it. The playfor which briony had designed the posters, programs and tickets, constructed the sales booth out of a folding screen tipped on its side, and lined the collection box in red crepe. Let us know your favourite childrens book first lines from the gallery, or any we missed, in the comments section.
Famous novels with the catchiest first lines 1 a tale of two cities charles dickens it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. And with so many books to read, the competition between them is wast. Apr 06, 2016 and then some opening lines are so creepy that you immediately shut the book and go home to lie in bed, sleepless, because youre so terrified and books are monstrous. From classic tales to the newest novels, here are 20 of our alltime favourites. First impressions are everything, and even though hundreds of new books are released every week, it is clear the nation never forgets a.
They are beautifully told with messagesoften the best quotes from childrens booksthat are truly timeless. Manfredi on interactive library bulletin board idea pick your favorite first line then. Apr 03, 2019 literature quiz novel by opening lines. Aug 10, 2014 children s author jon walter put a lot of thought into the first line of his debut book, close to the wind. The opening lines of these favorite childrens book classics often. The best opening lines in middle grade fiction resonate with voice.
Esther lombardi is a veteran journalist who has written about literature, education, and technology. It all starts by opening to the first page and reading the first line. The first sentence sets the stagehowever long or short the textand hints at the narrative vehicle. Top 15 opening lines of childrens book classics cake websites.
You only get one chance at a first impression, and never is this truer than with the opening lines of books. Dec 19, 2015 weve gathered the best opening lines books for kids or. Because the opening line gives me a really clear idea of the journey that the author is proposing. The opening lines in childrens fiction its harder not to. A books final sentence is the ribbon on a packaged plot, tied neatly and prettily before an author hands her story over to her readers imaginations for good. Here are my top 15 favorite opening lines from chapter books and picture books for young children. Some of the best opening lines from childrens literature. The opening lines of a book are where the reader gets hooked. Ill give you the first line of a famous book and all you have to do is tell me which book it is from. The following opening lines come from which famous books. As you teach writing and journaling in your own classroom, we pulled together some of the most memorable, fun, creative, and best opening lines books for children and teens have to offer. In the right hands, a novels beginning alone can make you feel like youve just fallen into a fastflowing river, snatched away from reality and hurtled downhill. On this day in 1873, writer and politician edward bulwerlytton died. Love at first line stacy tornio on december 3, 2015.
But the brutally deadpan manner of describing the sun, earth, and its people is so densely packed with jokes and eyeopening comic poetry that the reader has no choice but to delightfully press on. Some of the most famous and beloved characters and stories in history originated in children s books that have been passed down over generations. Apr 15, 20 opening lines to lots of famous children s ya books. They range from hardboiled pulp fiction to classics to, well, the bible. Book first lines quiz questions, book opening lines free. Montgomery opted for a daring 148word sentence to open her classic anne of green. In a 20 interview with joe fassler, horror fiction maestro stephen king reflected on the magnitude of a novels introductory sentence. From peter pan to alice in wonderland, the classics are classics for a reason. Jun 25, 2007 great opening lines to hook young readers if youre interested in getting your child or teen to keep reading during a hot, long, lazy vacation, offer them these cool summer books.
Some last lines have the power to disrupt the course of an entire story, shaking up our expectations. Sep 06, 2019 our selection of wise and witty opening words from 30 brilliant classic novels. The very first sentence of a story can be extremely powerful. They also sum up the crux of the central themes and conflicts in each. The opening lines from 44 timeless childrens books. Test your knowledge on this literature quiz to see how you do and compare your score to others. Can you name the popular childrens books based on their opening lines. Since ive already blown my chance to make a good first impression i offer up fifteen of the greatest opening lines in literature. From anne of green gables truth bombs to albus dumbledores words of wisdom for harry potter, the best childrens book quotes are honest, timeless and often very funny. Late in the afternoon of a chilly day in february, two gentlemen were sitting alone over their wine, in a wellfurnished dining parlor, in the town of p, in kentucky. Following our massively popular and lovingly selected list of the 100 best opening lines from books, its now time. Aug 22, 2015 clever, intriguing first lines in picture that hook the reader. Feb 25, 2015 laura grooby, asda s book buyer, said.
They can be funny, touching, deep, dark, poignant, or charming, but in the end, theyre just the books. This is the book that inspired thousands of children to have a lifelong fear of clowns and also sewers and. Great books have the power to captivate a reader from their very opening lines. Cats eye, margaret atwood, 1998 time is not a line but a dimension, like the dimensions of space. Can you name the popular children s books based on their opening lines. Rate 5 stars rate 4 stars rate 3 stars rate 2 stars rate 1 star.
Like many fairy tales, classic childrens books explore some of deepest. Once ive read the opening lines, i can tell right away if i am hooked, whether i want to read on. The opening lines of a novel can prove crucial, and many authors spend an inordinate amount of time considering how their books will begin. Weve already given you a rundown of our favorite opening lines in literature, art books film music tv. Can you guess which book the opening lines come form.
Here are 12 opening lines in ya that immediately draw you in, from 12 great books that never let you go. For me, the best part of a childrens book are the memorable quotes that encapsulate an entire book in a sentence or two. And when the story becomes a classic, the first line can sometimes become as famous as the novel itself, as the quotes below demonstrate. Opening lines to famous childrens and ya books youtube. As with pubs and shoes, you know youre reading a great book from the second youre inside it. See more ideas about books, childrens books and childrens literature.
They may be the most famous children s book quotes or simply, in our humble opinion, the best children s book quotes, but theyve all nailed itthat thing called life. Dursley of number four, privet drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. Once upon a timeis not the only way to begin a childrens book. The first line is the authors chance to make a first impression and to capture the imagination of the reader, and the very best books will keep the. Apr 16, 2015 some great lines are flowery and beautiful, while others are direct and to the point. Apr 02, 2011 weve already given you a rundown of our favorite opening lines in literature, art books film music tv.
Behind every man now alive stand thirty ghosts, for that is the ratio by which the dead outnumber the living. They stand alone as sentences but also make you want to read on to discover what else is behind them. From dickens s a tale of two cities to melville s moby dick, often the opening sentence or two of a book will become the most frequently quoted and. Bill manville i dont know how other men feel about their wives walking out on them, but i helped mine pack. Long opening lines are usually a turnoff to readers. Our editing and proofreading services are active and fully functioning despite the current global pandemic. Welcome to my quiz about the opening lines of some of the most famous novels in the world. The top 10 best opening lines of novels litreactor. Atwoods novel about maintaining ones identity tells the story of painter elaine risley, who reflects back on her youth and her toxic childhood friendship with a group of three girls. It is a very important story because it shows how all the comings and goings between our own world and the land of narnia first began. Oct 12, 2019 esther lombardi is a veteran journalist who has written about literature, education, and technology.
The first lines of a story set the mood and draw readers in. Dont judge a book by its cover instead, try and wait for the last line. Famous first lines of childrens books allwomenstalk. Top 10 first lines in childrens and teen books childrens. Theyre like security blankets all warm and fuzzy on the outside, but deeply symbolic on the inside. Jun 01, 2015 the best opening lines in middle grade fiction resonate with voice. The following quotes are some of our favorites from books we used to read, and they may very well send you down a trip to memory lane. A good cover may make us pick the book up and think about buying it. No one will ever agree on the best quotes, but ive shared some of my favorites below and encourage you to add your own. Scroll through each poignant piece of literary genius and most known book quotes below in our list. Ten really cool picture book openings and why they matter. But i really love the magicians nephew opening paragraphs as well this is a story about something that happened long ago when your grandfather was a child. Top 10 first lines in childrens and teen books children. First impressions are everything, and even though hundreds of new books are released every week, it is clear the nation never forgets a famous opening line.