Free Fantasy Books for 1st Graders
We’re passionate about ensuring literacy is accessible to every child, which is why these books are completely free. Discover free fantasy books for 1st graders ages 5-6. Our free children’s books feature dragons, wizards, and magical worlds perfect for beginning readers. Download free story books PDF or read childrens books online free.
The Cursed Emerald Part 1
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.’
Chip and the Sky Band
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.’
Skel and the Chase
Skel is a skeleton who never stops working! He chops, plants, runs, and hunts all day long. His friends Zom and Jack tell him to rest, but Skel refuses. He marches off on another hunt with his dog Bones, getting richer and richer. But when you don’t sleep, strange things start to happen… What are those spooky phantoms following Skel? Will he escape them?
Stop, Broom, Stop!
The Wind Princess is coming at sunrise, and everything at the Rainbow Tower must sparkle! But what happens when Kate reaches for the big magical broom and it growls, dodges, and zooms straight out the window with her still holding on? Can Kate tame a grumpy broom, or will the whole kingdom miss its chance to shine? Buckle up for a wild, bubbly ride above the clouds. This decodable reader practices the ‘sh’ sound in words like ‘brush,’ ‘dash,’ ‘splash,’ ‘fresh,’ and ‘shine.’
The Best Bunch
Zom has grown the biggest, best bunch of pumpkins ever, and he can’t wait to bake them into wonderful cakes. But one morning, a pumpkin is gone! The next day, two more vanish without a trace. Who - or what - is sneaking into the patch at night? Can Zom stay awake long enough to catch the mystery thief in the act? This decodable reader practices the ‘ch’ sound in words such as ‘bunch,’ ‘catch,’ ‘chin,’ and ‘witch.’
Go, Troll Kite, Go!
Rain, rain, and more rain - will the sky ever clear? When the sun finally breaks through, it’s time to race outside with a homemade kite and a very special secret weapon painted right on the front: a troll queen with a golden crown and the biggest smile around. Can she soar higher than the monster kite and the fish kite too? Get ready to cheer! This decodable reader practices silent e words such as ‘kite,’ ‘glide,’ ‘shape,’ ‘smile,’ and ‘pride.’
Hold On, Kim!
What is making that tap-tap-tap sound while Kim tries to nap? When a dusty old loom starts shaking all on its own, Kim climbs aboard and suddenly she’s lifting off the ground, rising past rooftops and soaring into the clouds. Will she hold on tight as the loom dives, splashes, and swirls through a world bursting with color? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words such as “fly,” “sky,” “we,” “me,” and “why.”
Yank, Nib, Yank!
When a hungry troll creeps out of the woods and snatches clever Nib right out of her cozy hut, can a single ball of red wool really outsmart a shaggy giant? Tied up in a tall tree with her brothers far away on the hills, Nib has only her quick fingers and a very sneaky plan. Will the wool lead help in time? This decodable reader practices short u with j, v, y in words like ‘jumps,’ ‘yanks,’ ‘huff,’ and ‘hush.’
No Thanks, Mobs!
Ned has a cozy house, a farm of carrots, and a sword he’s finally ready to use. But when the sun dips low and shadows stretch across the field, the monsters come creeping. Can one brave little hero stand up to zombies, rattling skeletons, and a giant spider all in one night? And what shiny surprise might be waiting inside? This decodable reader practices the ’th’ sound in words like ’thanks,’ ’thin,’ ’thump,’ and ’thwack.'
Who Made the Lamps Blink?
The festival night glows pink and gold, until something grumpy up in the sky decides nighttime belongs to IT - and starts flicking switches all over town! One by one, houses go dark, streetlights blink out, and even the carnival falls silent. Who is turning off the lights, and can anyone stop them before a little rowboat drifts into danger? This decodable reader practices the ’nk’ sound in words like ‘blink,’ ‘pink,’ ‘sink,’ and ’think.’
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get free fantasy books for my 1st grader?
Bookbot’s website offers free fantasy books for 1st graders that you can read free on the Bookbot website, and many include PDF downloads. Every fantasy story is written with decodable text following a structured phonics progression so your child practises real reading skills while exploring magical worlds with dragons, wizards, and enchanted creatures.
How do fantasy stories support reading development in 1st graders?
According to Chall’s Stages of Reading Development (1983), first graders are in the ‘initial reading and decoding’ stage, where they need plenty of motivated practice to build fluency. Fantasy stories provide that motivation: imaginative settings and characters capture children’s attention and drive them to keep decoding page after page. Research on narrative absorption (Frontiers in Psychology, 2022) confirms that readers who become emotionally engaged with a story process the text more deeply.
Do free fantasy picture books for 5 year olds help build vocabulary?
Yes. Fantasy stories naturally introduce rich, imaginative vocabulary – words for magical creatures, enchanted places, and heroic actions – that broadens a child’s word knowledge. Stanovich (1986) demonstrated that increased reading volume is one of the strongest drivers of vocabulary growth, and high-interest fantasy themes are proven to boost reading motivation and the volume of practice children get.
How do I pick the right free fantasy book for my first grader's level?
Match the book’s phonics focus to the skills your child has already mastered. Bookbot labels every free fantasy book with its specific skill target – from CVC words through consonant blends and digraphs – so you can find an appropriate challenge without guesswork. For a full overview of how skills are ordered, see the scope and sequence guide. Ehri et al. (2001) found that this kind of systematic, leveled phonics instruction produces the best word-reading outcomes for beginning readers.