Children's Books for 1st Graders
We’re passionate about ensuring literacy is accessible to every child, as it is essential for a happy, successful life. Discover kids books online designed for 1st graders ages 5-6. Our children’s books feature phonics patterns including CVC words, blends, and digraphs. Explore picture books, storybooks, and read aloud stories perfect for first grade readers.
Tire Trouble
An old tire rolls away from a broken-down car, searching for a new purpose. Will it find the perfect fit with a truck, a bike, or a horse and cart? Follow this determined tire on an exciting journey down the road as it discovers where it truly belongs.
A Spot to Nap
A sleepy sloth climbs higher and higher up a tall tree searching for the perfect spot to nap. But every branch seems to have someone—or something—already occupying it! Will the sloth ever find a cozy place to rest? Join this determined little climber on a funny adventure filled with unexpected encounters.
Brat Cat Can Fly
Fig Pig came back from the End and gave Brat Cat some wings. He tells her what to do so she can put them on. They strap on to her chest to sit at the back.
The Sea Dragon
Bam and his friends are having fun at the shore when suddenly the ground begins to shake. A massive sea dragon appears, sending big waves crashing onto the beach! The dragon seems very angry. Bam has his trusty flute with him, but can music really calm a fierce sea dragon? Will Bam be brave enough to try?
Ned the Bookworm
Ned has just finished building a magical wizard desk, but there’s one problem - it needs more books to unlock its power! With help from a talking book, Ned learns he must grow cane and turn it into paper. But growing things takes patience, and Ned has a lot of hard work ahead. Will Ned be able to make enough books to power up his wizard desk? What kind of magic will he be able to do?
Pup Hears a Noise
Pup is trying to take a nap, but a mysterious sound keeps waking him up. Chirp! Chirp! What could be making that noise? Pup sets off on a search through the grass, meeting different animal friends along the way. He finds Trunk, Spike, and even some birds, but none of them are making the chirping sound. Can Pup discover who is responsible for all that noise so he can finally get some rest?
The Little Fish Goes Deep
Every day, a little fish swims in the shallow sea with his mother, staying far from the mysterious deep water. But the little fish is curious - what amazing things might be hiding in the darkness below? When his mother says no, the little fish makes a daring choice to explore anyway. He discovers beautiful colours and strange new fish, but then he spots something that looks like a dark boulder… Will the little fish escape the dangers of the deep?
There Are Ants!
Ants have invaded the house, and they’re on a mission to find food! Watch as these tiny explorers search high and low, sniffing out sweet treats and slipping through tiny spaces. They check out roller skates (silly ants, that’s not food!), discover yummy candy and cookies, and follow mysterious smells around the kitchen. But will they find enough food to bring back to their home? Join these busy little ants on their delicious adventure!
My Comb
While visiting a farm, a curious child discovers that many birds wear beautiful feather crowns called combs. The proud rooster shows off his fancy red comb, the peacock displays his wonderful feather crown, and even the heron has her own special crest. But none of the birds will share their crowns! When the child asks for a comb crown too, each bird says no. What will this creative kid do to get a crown of their own?
Ned Makes a Trade
Ned is out for a walk when he discovers a village full of interesting people. With his friend The Book as a guide, Ned meets a smith who wants to make a trade. Ned has coal, but what can he get for it? And what will he do with his new treasures? Join Ned as he learns the exciting art of trading in this village adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a 1st grader be able to read?
By the end of first grade, most children can read simple sentences containing short vowel words, basic consonant blends, and common sight words. Jeanne Chall’s Stages of Reading Development (1983) places first graders in the ‘initial reading and decoding’ stage, where the primary task is learning to match letters to sounds. The books here are organised to follow this progression — see our scope and sequence for details.
How do decodable books help 1st graders learn to read?
Decodable books use only letter-sound patterns a child has already been taught, which means children can genuinely sound out the words on the page rather than guessing. A meta-analysis by Ehri et al. (2001) found that systematic phonics instruction — the approach decodable books are built on — produces significant improvements in word reading and comprehension for children in grades K through 6. Learn more about what phonics is and why it matters.
How can I support my 1st grader's reading at home?
The most effective approach is regular practice with books at the right level — challenging enough to build new skills, but easy enough that your child can read most words independently. The National Reading Panel (2000) found that guided oral reading — where children read aloud and receive feedback — leads to clear improvements in fluency and comprehension. See our tips for boosting reading motivation.
What topics interest 1st graders in books?
First graders are typically drawn to animals, adventure, humour, family stories, and fantasy. Offering a range of topics helps children discover what they enjoy — and a child who is interested in what they are reading will read more often. You can filter books by topic to find stories about subjects your child already loves.
Can my 1st grader download these books for free?
Many books are available on the Bookbot website, with a number of titles free to read online. Select books also offer PDF downloads or read-aloud features — useful for building familiarity with new words before reading independently.