Animal Books for 1st Graders

Clank! The school bell rings and every mom and dad in Animal Town starts to run - but poor Mama Bear is always, always last. Can she really learn to ride a wobbly red bike without tumbling into the river? Will Baby Bear ever be picked up on time? Hop on, hold tight, and find out how fast a brave bear can pedal! This decodable reader practices the nk sound in words like ‘bank,’ ‘blink,’ ‘honk,’ ‘pink,’ and ‘clunk.’

Dan the monkey is on a mission to find the perfect leaf - green, crunchy, and definitely not foot-flavored! But when a daring jump ends in a crash, something enormous is waiting below with jaws full of teeth. Will Dan’s mom reach him in time? And once he’s safe, why on earth would he go back for more? Swing into this thrilling jungle adventure! This decodable reader practices the sh phonogram with words like ‘crash,’ ‘fish,’ ‘fresh,’ ‘rush,’ and ‘swish.’

Why is the rain so sad today? High in the sky, Beck’s flute is playing the loneliest song, and even the clouds can’t help crying along. Down in the garden, Bee, Bird, and two curious rabbits feel the drops on their noses and know something is wrong. Can a tiny team follow the music and find the girl behind the tears? This decodable reader practices the ‘ck’ sound in words like ‘back,’ ‘check,’ ‘flick,’ ’neck,’ and ’track.’

Meet Sam, a puppy who loves one thing more than anything else in the whole wide world: sitting. He sits on paths, on hilltops, even on the edge of cliffs! But what happens when Sam’s favorite trick lands him somewhere he really, really shouldn’t be? Will Sam ever learn the right place to plonk down? Grab your lead and find out why everyone keeps shouting, “Don’t sit there, Sam!” This decodable reader practices VC/CVC short vowels in words like ‘sat,’ ‘sit,’ ‘dog,’ ‘dig,’ and ‘can.’

Susy has a BIG dream - she wants to be a real magic queen, with a cape, a wand, and a crowd cheering her name! But what do you do when you have no stage, no top hat, and no rabbit? Luckily, Susy has Mak, her dog and trusty sidekick. Can a rice basket, an old sheet, and one brave puppy pull off the greatest magic show ever? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words such as ‘be,’ ‘go,’ ‘my,’ and ’try.’

It’s the hottest day of the whole summer, and Gilly the goat is MELTING. The stream is too wet, the shrubs are too small, and the shade she finds is never quite goat-sized. But what happens when Gilly spots a family building a house in town? Could a goat really build her own shelter from sticks and leaves? This decodable reader practices silent e words such as ‘blaze,’ ‘shade,’ ‘hides,’ ‘home,’ and ‘smiles.’

Ray has the best hat in the whole wide land - it has googly eyes, teal horns, and a long pink tail made by Gran. But what happens when a gusty Cloud decides that flappy tail looks far too fun to blow? Can Ray and Bull race fast enough to catch a runaway hat as it glides into the sky? A decodable reader practicing silent e words such as ‘brave,’ ‘close,’ ‘face,’ ‘race,’ and ‘ride.’

Meet a flock of fascinating hens, each with their own unique personality and adventures! From pecking in the yard to sitting on nests, these feathered friends are busy all day long. Watch as they strut, cluck, and care for their chicks. But what happens when an unexpected visitor wants to join the fun? Discover the wonderful world of hens and their barnyard friends!

Bugs are everywhere! Some hop in the grass, some fly through the air, and some even make stinky smells. But wait - not all creepy crawlies are insects! Do you know what makes a real insect? Learn about ladybugs, ants, wasps, and more amazing creatures. Can you figure out which ones are true insects and which ones are pretenders?

Did you know dolphins aren’t fish? Meet the amazing Irrawaddy dolphin and discover how these intelligent creatures breathe air, hunt for food, and live together in river mouths. Learn fascinating facts about one of nature’s smartest animals and why people love them so much!