Animal Books for 1st Graders

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 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.’

Once, Zebra was solid white without a single mark, and proud of it. But when a cruel summer dries every waterhole to dust, only one pool remains, and mean Baboon guards it with fire and teeth. Can a plain white zebra outwit a fierce enemy to win water for all the thirsty animals? And how might a clever plan leave a mark that lasts forever? This Bookbot level practices the ‘ch’ sound with words like ‘chap’, ‘chase’, ‘catch’, ‘much’, and ‘which’.

When Len shows off a shiny new gift, Jim blurts out that he has even better stuff at home - but does he really? With his loyal pup at his heels, Jim sets off on a wild hunt through the house, grabbing bits and bobs from every room. Will his big brag land him in a fuss, or will he find something truly special? This lively decodable reader practices short u with j, v, y in words like ‘fun,’ ‘must,’ ‘shrub,’ and ‘hunt.’

Zom the zombie is tired of neighbors who only groan about brains - he wants a REAL friend! When he hears a buzz and finds a golden hive humming in a birch tree, he’s sure he’s struck friendship gold. But will shaking the tree to say hello really bring the bees out to play? And what happens when a swarm with fangs comes zinging after him? This decodable reader practices the ’ng’ phonogram in words such as ‘sing,’ ‘spring,’ ‘hangs,’ ‘wings,’ and ‘sting.’

Meow loves her cozy farm, where nothing ever gets past her sharp eyes - but what happens when a real, wild ocelot creeps out of the bush and heads straight for the chicken shed? Can one small house cat outsmart a hungry jungle hunter? With a clever plan, a wobbly scarecrow, and the bravest dash of her life, Meow is ready to try anything! This decodable reader practices the ‘sh’ sound in words like ‘bush,’ ‘dash,’ ‘flash,’ and ‘shed.’

Can a wobbly little duck really beat a whole flock of sleek racing birds? Girl says yes - her duck is the fastest in town! But when Boy laughs and the giggles start, Duck will have to prove everyone wrong. Can one small duck, one big race, and one brave girl pull off the trick of a lifetime? This decodable reader practices the ‘ck’ sound in words like ‘duck,’ ‘flock,’ ‘quick,’ ‘clock,’ and ’trick.’

Deep in an old, forgotten mine, Fig Pig grips his little lamp and marches bravely into the dark. What treasures are hiding in the shadows? Who built these huge stone archways, and why did they leave? With a shiny blade tucked under his arm and his trotters wobbling, Fig Pig creeps past sleeping spiders and bubbling lava - but will he spot the warning sign in time? This decodable reader practices silent e words such as ‘brave,’ ‘cave,’ ‘flame,’ ‘shine,’ and ‘race.’