Animal Books for 1st Graders

Have you ever stared at a frog and wondered if it’s staring right back? Every day, our curious narrator plays a secret game - catching the eye of a grinning cyclist, a stubborn cow who won’t budge, a sleepy cat on the gate, and tiny fireflies that glow like whispered secrets. But when night falls and the stars start to shimmer, could someone far, far away be playing the very same game? This decodable reader explores the ‘sh’ sound with words like ‘dash,’ ‘flash,’ ‘shine,’ and ‘wish.’

Pip the squirrel has stashed forty-nine nuts all over Butternut Hill, ready for winter - but when she checks her secret spots, every single nut has vanished! Who would take them? The buzzing bees? A sneaky fly? Her kind friend Liz? Pip is determined to solve the mystery, even if it means tumbling out of a tree or two along the way. Could the answer be hiding somewhere she never thought to look? This decodable reader practices silent e words such as ‘hive,’ ‘chase,’ ‘dome,’ and ‘smile.’

Zom has a BIG plan to get rich - he’s opening his very own milk bar! But why should every cow make the same milk? When the cow is brown, the milk tastes like chocolate. When the cow is white, it’s sweet vanilla. And the pink cow? Strawberry, of course! But what happens when Zom reveals his strangest flavor yet? Will the villagers dare to try it? This decodable reader practices the ‘wh’ sound in words like ‘what,’ ‘when,’ ‘which,’ and ‘whirl.’

Jack loves his farm, but something is missing - where are all the bees, birds, and bats? When Jack hauls up a hive and flings seeds across the grass, the buzzing and chirping begins. But bats are tricky critters whose homes are hard to find. What can a clever scarecrow build to bring them in, and which spot will feel just right for a sleepy bat? This decodable reader practices the ‘wh’ phonogram in words such as ‘what,’ ‘when,’ ‘which,’ ‘while,’ and ‘whose.’

Have you ever wondered why birds are so different from each other? Some are tall with big legs, while others are small and fluffy. Some can zip through the air to catch fish, while others strut around farms looking for scraps. From their funny flapping to their amazing bills, birds are full of surprises! What makes each bird so special? Open this book to discover the wonderful world of birds and all their quirks!

When Gran spots a cheeky little mouse zipping across the floor, the whole family panics! Ma grabs a broom, Pa hides behind the curtain, and even the cat refuses to help. But what happens when the baby sees the mouse too? Will anyone in this house be brave enough to catch the naughty creature - or might they all end up laughing instead? This decodable reader practices the ’th’ sound in words like ‘both,’ ’then,’ ’there,’ and ‘with.’

Meet some amazing caterpillars! These fascinating little creatures come in many different shapes and sizes. Some have bumpy spines, some have stripes, and some are covered in soft, fuzzy hair. Each caterpillar is special and unique. What makes these caterpillars so different from each other? Discover the wonderful variety of caterpillars in the world around us!

Cats are everywhere! They hop, they hunt, they nap in piles with their pals. Some cats are fluffy and white, while others are big and bold. But watch out - some cats get mad, and some cats get sad. From chasing bugs to batting balls, these furry friends are full of surprises. What funny things will these cats do next? Join them on a whisker-filled adventure through their day!

Join a family on an exciting yard adventure! Mom and Dad are trimming and clipping while you help discover surprises hiding in the grass. What creatures and treasures might you find while working together in nature? Get ready for an action-packed day of outdoor fun!

Meet Cuckoo, a clever bird who can fly higher than hawks and balance on the thinnest twig - but there’s one thing she simply cannot do. Her call has vanished! Where could it have gone? Has she lost it in the meadow, the farm, or the forest? Will Cuckoo ever find her voice again? This decodable reader practices the th sound in words like ’this,’ ’them,’ ’there,’ and ’thump.'