Animal Books for 1st Graders
Stop That Chirp!
Poor Pup just wants a nap, but something in the garden keeps going CHIRP! CHIRP! Who could be making all that noise? Is it Trunk the elephant, with his big floppy trumpet? Is it prickly Spike, or the colorful toucans high up in the tree? Pup sniffs and searches every bush to track down the mystery chirper - but will he ever get his quiet little snooze? This decodable reader practices the ‘ch’ sound in words like ‘chirp,’ ‘chirps,’ ‘branch,’ and ‘patch.’
That Horse Is Bones!
When Brat Cat spots a slick horse all alone in the glade, she thinks she’s found the perfect new pet for her farm - but what happens when lightning cracks and the horse turns out to be made of rattling white BONES? Can Brat Cat escape the bony fists chasing her through the thick black woods? Will her loyal pack of dogs reach her in time? This decodable reader practices the ck phonogram in words like ‘click,’ ‘crack,’ ‘knock,’ ‘quick,’ and ‘smack.’
My Mom Has a Bub!
From the coziest spot in the whole rainforest - Mom’s pouch - one little joey spies butterflies, berries, and blue feathers floating by. But what happens when Mom suddenly won’t let him climb back in? Could there be a secret tucked inside her pouch? Follow along as a curious kangaroo discovers that the best treasures sometimes come in very tiny packages. This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘my,’ ‘go,’ ‘she,’ ‘shy,’ and ‘fly.’
Black Sky
A dry season grips the enkang, the river is dust, and the cattle stand thirsty in the sun. When a girl named Entito finds a lost hornbill chick with a bent wing, will she share her last water to save it? And when a strange cloud caps the great mountain while the elders sit still, can one child’s song call the rain? A tender tale of courage and hope. This Bookbot SH level practices words like ‘hush’, ‘shares’, ‘shock’, ‘rushes’, and ‘splash’.
Hyena's Big Snack
Hyena has found the sweetest honeycomb on the whole dry veld, and she does not plan to share a single drop. But clever Jackal has been watching from behind a termite mound. Can a small, hungry trickster really outsmart a bigger, stronger foe? And what happens ‘when’ greed makes Hyena leave her treasure behind? This story practices the ‘wh’ sound with lesson words like ‘when’, ‘whole’, ‘what’, ‘where’, and ‘why’.
He Did It!
THWACK! Arrows are raining down from the sky, and poor Hop has nearly been turned into a pincushion! Who could be shooting at him, and why? Hop is furious and marching off to find the culprit - but along the way he picks up a nervous Cob, a brave Brown, a mighty Hip, and a surprising Ape. Can this little band track down the mystery archer before another arrow flies? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words such as ‘by,’ ‘go,’ ‘he,’ ‘me,’ and ‘why.’
They Are Not The Boss
Meet one very clever cat who knows exactly who owns the house - and it is NOT the kids! Does he need a bath? No thanks, a quick lick will do. Can a mouse sneak past him? Not a chance. And what about that rude boy next door who sticks out his tongue? Just wait and see what this fluffy boss has planned! This decodable reader practices the ’th’ sound in words like ’this,’ ’that,’ ’teeth,’ and ’think.'
Brat Cat and the Big Mess!
When Fig Pig tells Brat Cat about an island of cows with mushrooms on their heads, she has to see it for herself - but what happens when one small bag of wheat turns into a giant mooshroom mob? Can Brat Cat fix the mess she’s made before the whole hill runs out of food? Join her for a muddy, moo-filled adventure! This decodable reader practices CCVC/CCVCC blends with words like ‘drifts,’ ‘drops,’ ‘plant,’ ‘stand,’ and ‘press.’
Time to Work!
Who wakes the farm before the sun even peeks over the hill? Why does the brave dog stand guard with such a fierce snarl, and what tiny note is that pigeon carrying across the sky? From busy bees zipping to the hive to camels pacing past golden dunes, everyone has a job to do - but who works the hardest of all? This decodable reader practices silent e words such as ‘brave,’ ‘chase,’ ‘hive,’ ‘smile,’ and ’thrive.’
The Shy Calf
Kobi is a snow-white buffalo calf, and tonight he gets to lead the big New Year parade through the glittering city! But Kobi is shy, the crowds are loud, and Abi has made a very important promise: to stay by his friend’s side the whole way. Can a boy keep his word when the lanterns blaze and his tummy starts to rumble? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘go,’ ‘he,’ ’no,’ ‘shy,’ and ’try.’