Family Books for 1st Graders

Tal just has to walk the calf home before dark - easy, right? But when his friends call him over for a game, the rope slips and the calf wanders off to munch grass. Later, no matter how hard Tal tugs, yanks, and jabs, that stubborn calf will not budge! Is Tal stuck on the hill forever? Will anything get this calf moving before dusk? This decodable reader practices short u with j, v, y in words like ‘just,’ ‘fun,’ ‘yank,’ ’tug,’ and ‘mom.’

Rob, Pam and Tim love causing mischief on the farm - until Dad’s magical mirror shows them three warty, green-skinned monsters staring right back! Can a fancy hat fix it? What about a super-speedy sprint, or the friendliest smile ever? The kids try everything to escape the horrible reflection, but the mirror keeps showing something nobody wants to see. What’s really going on? This decodable reader practices VCC/CVCC words such as ‘best,’ ‘gasp,’ ‘gold,’ and ‘kind.’

Sam and his sister are the greatest monster slayers in the whole world - brooms up, buckets ready, no beast too scary! But what happens when a new kind of monster sneaks in quietly, one you can’t whack or chase away? Can a hug, a chat, and a very smart doctor help Sam find his spark again? This decodable reader practices CCVC/CCVCC blends through words like ‘glum,’ ‘slept,’ ‘smart,’ ‘quick,’ and ‘still.’

Bird has waited three long weeks for her eggs to hatch, and today is the day! But when her tummy rumbles and she sneaks off the nest for just a quick snack, a big, curious dog comes sniffing around her hidden eggs. Can Bird get back in time? What will the dog do when the chicks start to hatch? And who will the tiny chicks call Mom? This decodable reader practices VCC/CVCC words such as ’nest,’ ‘fast,’ ‘felt,’ ‘help,’ and ‘went.’

Mom’s birthday is tomorrow, and Girl has a super secret plan: she’s going to make the most beautiful bead bracelet in the whole world! But there’s just one tiny problem - her three bead boxes are hidden all over her bedroom. Can Girl dig through the toy chest, the drawers, and a wobbly mountain of laundry to find them all? And what will Mom’s room look like by the end? This decodable reader focuses on the ‘ch’ sound in words like ‘chain,’ ‘check,’ ‘chest,’ and ‘bunch.’

It’s mango harvest day, and every single fruit matters! Can our hero balance a wobbly sack across the garden without a splat? Will Bing stop showing off before disaster strikes the tree? From baskets lowered on ropes to a bumpy boat ride at the floating market, there’s singing, sorting, and one very hopeful dog who’s just waiting for somebody to drop the big one. This decodable reader practices the ng sound in words like ‘bring,’ ‘sing,’ ’long,’ ‘strong,’ and ‘swing.’

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.’

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.'

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.’