Free Family Books for 1st Graders
Every child deserves free access to stories that spark curiosity and build foundations for lifelong learning. Discover free family books for 1st graders ages 5-6. Our free children’s books feature parents, siblings, and grandparents in heartwarming stories perfect for beginning readers. Download free story books PDF or read childrens books online free.
The Little Fish Goes Deep
Every day, a little fish swims in the shallow sea with his mother, staying far from the mysterious deep water. But the little fish is curious - what amazing things might be hiding in the darkness below? When his mother says no, the little fish makes a daring choice to explore anyway. He discovers beautiful colours and strange new fish, but then he spots something that looks like a dark boulder… Will the little fish escape the dangers of the deep?
Cam Can Fly?
Cam is tired and falls asleep, but something magical happens! He discovers he can fly and soars higher and higher into the sky. He waves at birds, sees his house shrink below, passes planes and rockets, and reaches the stars themselves. But as Cam explores this amazing adventure, something unexpected happens. Will Cam’s incredible journey end the way he hopes?
A Big Pot
Join a young farmer who grows their own food from tiny seeds to tasty meals! Watch as they dig holes, plant seeds, and protect their crops from hungry birds, cows, and hens. The plants grow tall and verdant green under their careful watch. But what happens when it’s finally time to harvest and cook everything in a big pot over an open fire? Will the whole family enjoy this farm-fresh feast?
A Mess!
When mum and dad ask them to clean the house after school, the kids discover an enormous mess waiting for them! Dirty dishes pile up in the kitchen, dust bunnies hide under the couch, and their rooms look like a tornado hit them. Can they work together to tackle all their chores and restore order to their home?
A Ride on a Spell
In the bustling streets of Delhi, a three-wheeled taxi driver and a grumpy passenger buy magical water from a mysterious boy. When they spill it on the car, something extraordinary happens—the little buggy’s wildest dream begins to come true! Will the magic last, and what will happen when the car takes flight through the clouds?
A Tall Tale
Pa loves telling tall tales, but this one might be his strangest yet! He says there’s a girl made of air who appears in storms and snowflakes. Nobody can see her—until Pa comes up with a clever idea using paint. But is this story really true, or is it just another one of Pa’s wild tales? What do you think is really going on?
Allie's Haircut
Allie finds a picture of her mum with short hair and decides to give herself a haircut to look pretty too. But oh no—the scissors don’t cooperate, and Allie’s new look is a disaster! Will Allie find a way to fix her hair? Find out what wild things she tries and how her mum helps her see herself in a whole new way.
Come Back, Rex!
Benny’s energetic dog Rex escapes during their walk and takes off on a wild adventure! Will Benny be able to catch his speedy pup before he gets into more trouble? Join Rex on his exciting chase through the neighborhood in this fun-filled story about a boy and his mischievous dog.
I Love My Mom
Follow a child as they discover all the amazing things their mom teaches them—from cooking and gardening to riding a bike. What special skills will you learn from the people you love? Find out how a child’s mom shows love through teaching in this heartwarming story.
Puppy's Birthday
Meet Kara and her puppy Pip! Pip is smart, funny, and loves to play. Tomorrow is Pip’s first birthday, and Kara wants to throw him a special party. Pip gets so excited that he rushes off to invite all his friends from around town. Will everyone come to Pip’s birthday party? Find out in this heartwarming tale of friendship and celebration!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find free family books for my 1st grader?
Bookbot’s website offers free family books for 1st graders that you can read free on the Bookbot website, and many include PDF downloads. Depending on the title, read-aloud with word-by-word highlighting may also be available. Each family story uses decodable text levelled to first-grade phonics skills, from CVC words through blends and digraphs.
Why are family-themed books effective for 1st graders learning to read?
Stories about parents, siblings, and grandparents draw on experiences children already understand, which strengthens comprehension while they decode new words. A UChicago study found that a digital library for parent-child shared reading significantly improved literacy skills in young children. Bookbot’s free family stories for first grade are ideal for this kind of shared reading because the relatable themes invite natural conversation between parent and child.
How can I use free family books for shared reading with my first grader?
Reading aloud together is one of the best ways to build literacy at home, and family-themed books make it especially engaging because you can connect the story to your own family’s experiences. Manu et al. (2019) found that supportive home literacy environments have a significant positive effect on early reading outcomes. Bookbot’s free family picture books for 5 year olds include a read-aloud feature with word-by-word highlighting that makes shared reading sessions easy to start.
What phonics skills do Bookbot's free family books cover for 1st graders?
Bookbot’s free family books for 1st graders span the full first-grade scope and sequence, starting with simple CVC words and progressing through consonant blends, digraphs, and common vowel patterns. Each book clearly displays its skill focus so you can pick stories that match your child’s current level. The National Reading Panel (2000) confirmed that this kind of systematic, sequential phonics instruction produces the strongest reading gains for beginning readers.