Children's Books for 1st Graders

Zom has grown the biggest, best bunch of pumpkins ever, and he can’t wait to bake them into wonderful cakes. But one morning, a pumpkin is gone! The next day, two more vanish without a trace. Who - or what - is sneaking into the patch at night? Can Zom stay awake long enough to catch the mystery thief in the act? This decodable reader practices the ‘ch’ sound in words such as ‘bunch,’ ‘catch,’ ‘chin,’ and ‘witch.’

Pam is SURE she is a tree, and trees don’t take naps - not ever! Can a girl with leafy green hair really outrun bedtime? Watch Pam zoom past the elm, boss a whole row of trees, and hide in a bush so sneaky even the birds get a fright. But what happens when the path twists and Pam can’t find her way home? This decodable reader practices VCC/CVCC words such as ‘fast,’ ‘held,’ ‘past,’ ‘rest,’ and ‘went.’

Dad pedals off to work, and tonight feels a MILLION hours away - so how will one determined girl catch up? Hop on a wobbly scooter, zoom past a shiny car, rumble in a big green bus, lurch across a field in a digger, and SPLASH through the waves on a speedboat. Each ride is faster than the last, but can she really chase Dad all the way across the ocean? This decodable reader practices the ’th’ sound in words like ’that,’ ’the,’ ’there,’ and ’thinks.'

Kojo has a reading test coming up, and his chest feels full of worry - until something magical happens. The moment he sounds out a word, it leaps right off the page! A chap with a cup, a hen with cheek, a cat dashing to lunch, and a monkey on a branch all spring to life. What other surprises will Kojo spy when he keeps on reading? This decodable reader practices the ‘ch’ sound in words like ‘chin,’ ‘chest,’ ‘branch,’ ’lunch,’ and ‘march.’

Have you ever looked up at the clouds and spotted something that looked just like a person waving back? When Chip points at the sky, a puffy cloud man appears - then cloud chums jigging, singing, and banging drums in a huge sky band! But what happens when the music turns into thunder and rain smacks everyone on the cheek? This decodable reader practices the ‘ch’ sound in words like ‘chip,’ ‘chums,’ ‘catch,’ ‘bunch,’ and ‘watch.’

Long ago, the Sun and the Moon both blazed in the daytime sky, so bright that no one on earth could ever close their eyes and rest. But when the tired world begged for darkness, could the gentle Moon find a way to share the sky with her proud, burning brother? And what would it cost her to give the world its very first peaceful night? This Bookbot level practices the ‘wh’ sound with words like ‘when’, ‘what’, ‘why’, ‘while’, and ‘whole’.

Deep in a glittering cave full of pink crystals, Jill is hunting for gems with her trusty pickaxe and shiny armor. But what happens when the ground gives way and zombies come rushing from the shadows? Can one brave miner fight her way back to the surface - and will she remember why she came down here in the first place? This decodable reader practices the sh sound in words like ‘crash,’ ‘rush,’ ‘fresh,’ and ‘shine.’

Anansi has cooked a feast fit for a king, and he means to eat every last bite alone. But when weary Turtle knocks at his door, will a few sneaky tricks keep those pots all to himself? And what happens when Turtle sends back an invitation of his own? This clever twist on a favorite folktale practices the ’nk’ sound with lesson words like ‘bank’, ’think’, ‘sink’, ‘chunk’, and ‘winks’.

Bub’s family loves the park bench, but Bub has her eye on something far more exciting - a bright kite dancing in the sky! What happens when Bub grabs the string and a big gust of wind lifts her feet right off the ground? Can Pup hold on tight enough to save her, or will the whole family end up dangling in the clouds? This decodable reader practices the ‘ch’ sound in words like ‘chomps,’ ‘fetch,’ ‘watch,’ and ‘chain.’

Meg is marching all the way to Gran’s house by herself - no running, no skipping, just slow and sensible steps past the brick wall. But what is that sharp YAP coming from around the corner? Is a huge dog with a mean chomp waiting to pounce? Meg’s feet are already running the wrong way - can she be brave enough to peek and see what is really there? This decodable reader practices the ‘ch’ sound in words like ‘chase,’ ‘chomp,’ ‘march,’ and ’lunch.’