Fantasy Books for 1st Graders

Jack has never caught a fish - not once! But when he casts his wobbly branch-rod off the dock, what on earth tugs back? Something green, something grumpy, something that is definitely NOT a fish. Could a pumpkin boy and a mermaid really become friends? And what happens when the sun starts sinking on their silly, splashy adventure? This decodable reader practices the ‘wh’ phonogram in words like ‘what,’ ‘whirl,’ ‘whines,’ and ‘whale.’

Bob is the worst fisherman in town - but that suits him just fine, because Bob only comes to the dock to nap! So when something enormous tugs his line and a huge, sharp-toothed head rises from the waves, Bob is in for the shock of his life. Is this scaly giant a monster… or something else entirely? And what secret lies at the bottom of the sea? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘by,’ ‘cry,’ ‘me,’ and ’try.’

Ben’s cat has missed dinner - and that NEVER happens! When he follows muddy paw prints to a giant, googly-eyed pile of rubbish, he spots his furry friend perched happily on top like a queen. Then the pile WALKS AWAY with her! Can Ben outsmart a walking heap of junk before his cat vanishes forever? This decodable reader practices open syllables through words such as ‘go,’ ‘my,’ ‘sky,’ and ‘so.’

When Asad’s mother vanishes near the beach, all she finds is one enormous footprint and a whisper of a name: Dhegdheer, the ogress whose single giant ear can catch every sound for a hundred miles. How do you sneak past a monster who hears each step you take? With one clever gift and a plan sparked on the salt flats, can a ten year old outwit her? This Bookbot level practices the ‘ch’ sound with lesson words like ‘catch’, ‘chain’, ‘beach’, ‘ditch’, and ’each’.

Dibs the little dragon has the shiniest, jingliest bell in the world - until one clumsy tumble sends it bouncing straight into Dragon School! Can he sneak past the guard dragons, wait patiently in line, and rescue his treasure before a cheeky purple dragon snatches it away? And what happens when Dibs discovers he might have a tiny spark of fire inside him? This decodable reader focuses on the ’th’ sound in words like ’thud,’ ’thumps,’ ’thanks,’ and ‘breath.’

The Mage has a big, fizzy secret: his magic just will not sit still! What happens when he sneaks out for one tiny spell… then another… then another? Stone walls, prickly plants, bubbling lava, and a shack full of noisy chicks - can anyone stop him before Jill’s wolf Minx does? And who will clean up this wild, magical mess? This decodable reader practices the ck sound in words such as ’trick,’ ‘quick,’ ‘snuck,’ ‘chicks,’ and ‘stack.’

When a monster comes down from the hills and swallows the village whole, brave young Kwezi knows that outside attacks do nothing. So what does a boy do when the only way to fight the darkness is from the inside? Armed with a breathing tube, a lighter, and a daring plan, Kwezi walks straight toward the beast. Can one small boy save everyone? This Bookbot level practices the ‘wh’ sound with lesson words like ‘when’, ‘what’, ‘why’, ‘whole’, and ‘who’.