Free Animal Books for 1st Graders
Why Is She Stuck?
Rose the sheep is plump, happy, and heading home after a sunny summer on the hill - but oh no, the farmer has built a tiny new gate, and Rose is stuck fast! Can yoga squish her smaller? Will running slim her down? What about swimming? Three weeks of wobbly tries later, why is Rose still exactly the same size, and what clever idea pops into her head? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘my,’ ’try,’ ‘she,’ ‘so,’ and ‘why.’
Lost in the Grass!
When Monkey wakes up with a rumbly tummy and a big plan for a banana breakfast, he gets the shock of his life - his bananas are GONE! Who could the sneaky thief be? Was it the little bee? The hissy snake? And who is that plump rabbit sitting on the grass with a suspicious yellow pile? Can Monkey solve the mystery before his tummy grumbles right off the tree? This decodable reader practices CCVC/CCVCC blends in words like ‘grins,’ ‘stomps,’ ‘plump,’ and ‘grass.’
Pip and the Lost Nuts
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.’
Tik and the Big Cat
Tik the mouse has found the perfect house - quiet, cozy, and empty! But what is that strange round creature sitting on the desk, claiming to be a mouse too? It has no whiskers, no paws, and a cord for a tail! When a very big, very hungry cat comes padding in, can these two mismatched mice possibly help each other? This decodable reader practices VCC/CVCC words such as ‘desk,’ ‘fast,’ ‘help,’ and ‘best.’
The Sad Girl's Song
Why is the rain so sad today? High in the sky, Beck’s flute is playing the loneliest song, and even the clouds can’t help crying along. Down in the garden, Bee, Bird, and two curious rabbits feel the drops on their noses and know something is wrong. Can a tiny team follow the music and find the girl behind the tears? This decodable reader practices the ‘ck’ sound in words like ‘back,’ ‘check,’ ‘flick,’ ’neck,’ and ’track.’
Bones and the Pack
Bones is the bravest dog in the valley - until a terrible storm sends him bolting into the dark woods. Lost and hungry, he meets a wolf pack with pale, watching eyes, and soon he’s running wild beside them, leaving his red bandana behind. But what happens when Zom finds him in the forest clearing? Can Skel bring his best friend home again? This decodable reader practices the sh phonogram through words like ‘crash,’ ‘dash,’ ‘fresh,’ ‘rush,’ and ‘shook.’
Which Milk?
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.’
Jim and Pup on the Hunt
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.’
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.’