Fantasy Books for 1st Graders

On a small island of swaying palms, Siti finds one strange coconut that hums instead of rattles. Who could be hidden inside, and why does her greedy uncle want to snatch it away? Follow Siti through a moonlit night, a race to an ancient tree, and a secret that could change her life forever. Will her one true wish finally come true? This Bookbot level practices the /ʃ/ sound with words like ‘she’, ‘shell’, ‘shake’, ‘shine’ and ‘wish’.

CHINK, CHINK, CHINK goes Steve’s pickaxe - just another boring day in the mine. But what happens when a strange green gem starts glowing in the wall? One touch, one flash, and suddenly Steve is standing under the stars with monsters closing in from every side. Can he outrun a spider, a skeleton, and a baby zombie riding a chicken? This decodable reader practices the ’nk’ sound in words like ‘clink,’ ‘sinks,’ ‘bank,’ ’thank,’ and ‘wink.’

Steve has a shiny red gem - but something is very strange about it. Why do the villagers back away when he holds it up? Why does the cat freeze solid right at his knee? Steve only wanted a hot lunch, but this little green stone might be more trouble than any rumbling belly is worth. What will Steve do when he finds out the truth? This decodable reader practices VC/CVC short vowels with words like ‘hid,’ ‘ran,’ ‘cat,’ and ‘sat.’

Steve’s still stuck with the Cursed Emerald glowing in his hands, and now he’s landed in a strange village where the locals only grunt and hum. Can he find the map lad before the gem’s green pull drags him somewhere worse? When a friendly trade turns into a nasty shock of blue sparks, Steve learns that this emerald really doesn’t like to share. This decodable reader practices the ’nk’ sound in words like ‘blank,’ ‘clink,’ ‘clunk,’ ‘shrinks,’ and ‘winks.’

Alex has a cursed emerald burning a hole in his pocket - and one accidental peek just turned his brother Jake to solid stone! Can a mysterious tin golem hiding in the den hold the secret to breaking the curse? Will hot, red lava really be the answer, or is something far trickier waiting for the brothers? Dash back to base and find out in this thrilling fourth chapter! This decodable reader practices VC/CVC short vowels with words like ‘hid,’ ‘got,’ ’led,’ ‘ran,’ and ‘hot.’

Alex has a cursed gem that keeps zapping him far from the Nether fire that could destroy it! Can he find a way to get rid of it before he turns into stone for good? When even a cloth bundle freezes Jake solid at the village square, Alex gets one wild, last-chance idea. Will a potion of strength and a good throw finally break the curse? This decodable reader practices VC/CVC short vowels in words like ‘got,’ ‘hot,’ ‘ran,’ ‘sat,’ and ‘rid.’

Alex has a wild, almost-too-scary plan to finally get rid of the cursed emerald - and it involves a mine cart, a river of lava, and poor brave Jake. But what happens when the fire resistance potion tastes a little… off? Can two best friends pull off the most ridiculous rescue mission ever, or will the whispering gem win? Hold your breath and turn the page! This decodable reader practices VC/CVC short vowels in words such as ‘hit,’ ‘got,’ ‘sat,’ ’lit,’ and ’nod.’

The giant izim has terrorized the valley for three seasons, stealing cattle and laughing at every grown man who tried to stop it. So when eight year old Thandi says, “Let me try,” everyone laughs too. But what if being small and clever beats big and certain? How could one brave girl, a shiny bottle, and a narrow gap in the rocks succeed where the strongest warriors failed? This Bookbot NG level practices the /ŋ/ sound with words like ‘strong’, ’long’, ‘clings’, ‘springs’, and ’things’.

Demba is a kind hunter who leaves a little food by the great baobab’s trunk every single morning, even when his own family has barely enough. But who has been listening inside the tree all these years? When a mysterious voice offers him one gift, what will a wise hunter choose? This Bookbot level practices the /ŋk/ sound with words like ’trunk’, ’think’, ‘sink’, and ‘bank’.

The rains have not come, the goats are thin, and every morning Njoki must dig in the dry riverbed for water. So when she finds a strange carved gourd that pours clean water and even milk, is it a gift or a trap? What happens when a curious neighbor learns the gourd’s secret? A tender story of trust, mistakes, and mending. This book helps young readers practice the /ŋ/ sound with words like ‘sing’, ‘song’, ’long’, ‘strong’, and ‘spring’.