Children's Books for 1st Graders

Anansi the spider is in real trouble. Leopard has finally caught the trickster and plans to eat him at sundown, locking him in a stone den with no way out. But could a bundle of pods and a clever tale about seasoning be enough to fool a hungry hunter? What plan is spinning in Anansi’s quick little mind? This Bookbot level practices the ‘ch’ sound in words like ‘catch’, ’lunch’, ‘rich’, ‘munch’, and ‘snatch’.

What happens when a curious dog knocks over a tin of bright yellow paint? And what happens when a very grumpy cat gets splattered too? Dog and Cat go tumbling, bumping, and dashing through the house, turning everything (and themselves!) into a wild, colorful mess. But poor Pam is trying to paint on Art Day - will her canvas survive two paint-covered pets? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘go,’ ‘he,’ ‘she,’ and ‘we.’

It’s mango harvest day, and every single fruit matters! Can our hero balance a wobbly sack across the garden without a splat? Will Bing stop showing off before disaster strikes the tree? From baskets lowered on ropes to a bumpy boat ride at the floating market, there’s singing, sorting, and one very hopeful dog who’s just waiting for somebody to drop the big one. This decodable reader practices the ng sound in words like ‘bring,’ ‘sing,’ ’long,’ ‘strong,’ and ‘swing.’

Jen’s mom and dad must set off to hunt for food, leaving her alone at the little leaf-roofed hut with only Piglet for company. But what happens when a white deer tiptoes out of the trees and beckons her into the shadows? Can Jen find her way home before dusk falls, and who might she meet along the way? This decodable reader practices short u with j, v, y in words like ‘just,’ ‘yum,’ ‘hunt,’ and ‘dusk.’

Ned is back, and The Book has a shiny new plan - exploring a deep, dark cave! But what’s lurking in the shadows below? Can Ned be brave enough to cross a huge hole in the ground, especially when he’s warned not to look down? With a flame in hand and his heart pounding, Ned steps into the unknown to hunt for hidden treasure. This decodable reader practices silent e words such as ‘brave,’ ‘cave,’ ‘flame,’ and ‘wide.’

Ned thinks the forest is his - until a pack of huge wolves comes racing after him! Can a boy with a bag of bones turn snarling beasts into loyal friends? And what happens when zombies come groaning out of the dark - will Ned face them alone, or will his new pack stand by his side? A thrilling adventure full of brave plans and close calls. This decodable reader practices silent e words such as ‘bone,’ ‘brave,’ ‘chase,’ ‘prize,’ and ‘wise.’

A rock and a feather, one in each hand - which one do you think will hit the ground first? The Boy is sure he knows the answer, but then he starts to wonder just how much heavier that smooth stone really is. With scales, flasks, and a very patient elephant, can he and Dad figure out the mass of almost anything, from a raindrop to the whole planet? This decodable reader practices the ’th’ sound in words such as ‘both,’ ‘smooth,’ ’think,’ and ’thrusts.’

Ned the knight has found a deep, dark cave, and he’s sure there’s treasure inside. But when he cracks open a mysterious chest, what tumbles out isn’t gold at all - it’s a floppy leather saddle! Could a beautiful white horse be waiting just around the corner? And when Ned leaps on too fast, why does the horse send him flying? This decodable reader practices the ‘wh’ phonogram in words like ‘what,’ ‘wheat,’ ‘where,’ ‘whew,’ and ‘whiz.’

Chip and Pip are the very best of chums - until one big day changes everything between them. Why is Chip suddenly so cross? Why won’t Pip come back to their cozy spot by the branch? When friends say the wrong words, can they ever find the right ones again? Curl up with this gentle tale of two pals who just might need each other more than they know. This decodable reader practices the ch sound in words like ‘chum,’ ‘branch,’ ‘munch,’ and ‘catch.’

When the sun beats down and Mom gets too hot on the farm, Giraffe hatches a plan so fine it just might be silly - what if he climbed up high and ate the sun whole? But what happens when the sky goes dark as a cave and his tummy starts to glow with a hot little flame? Can Bear think of something brave to save the day? This decodable reader practices silent e words such as ‘ate,’ ‘brave,’ ‘flame,’ ‘ripe,’ and ‘whole.’