Free Friendship Books for 1st Graders
We believe every child deserves free access to quality reading materials that nurture a lifelong love of learning. Discover free friendship books for 1st graders ages 5-6. Our free children’s books feature best friends, kindness, and sharing perfect for beginning readers. Download free story books PDF or read childrens books online free.
The Butterfly Garden
Diya is shy and loves butterflies, but she’s nervous about talking in class. When her school visits the park, something magical happens—her passion for butterflies gives her the courage to speak up! Will Diya discover that sharing what she loves can help her make new friends and find her voice?
A Small Boat in a Big Lake
Ken and his friend decide to explore the big lake in a small boat. But scary things keep appearing! First, they see something that looks like a devil with evil eyes. Then a big, dark shadow swims under their boat. And what’s that shape with sharp teeth coming toward them? Are the stories about dragons and monsters in the lake really true? Grab your oars and join this exciting adventure to find out!
Best Pals
What makes a best pal so special? Discover the magic of true friendship! Best pals share everything, cheer each other on, and stand by you through tough times. They make life feel amazing, even when things get hard. But what happens when best pals have a disagreement? Join this heartwarming story to learn what real friendship means.
Down by the Sea
Nip is a young crab who is so excited to visit the sea with her mum! As she explores the beach, she discovers all kinds of amazing crabs - one with a mammoth claw, a pale round crab with strong legs, and many more. But when Nip accidentally bumps into a grumpy crab, will she still have a good day? Join Nip on her seaside adventure and find out what friends she makes along the way!
First?
Rabbit is starting school and really wants to be first at something! He tries to be first to class, but Bee beats him there. He trains hard for sports, but Turtle crosses the finish line first. He rushes through art, writing, and maths, but there’s always someone faster. Poor Rabbit just can’t seem to win! Will he ever find something special to be first at? What hidden talent might Rabbit discover about himself?
I Think I Can Help!
A friendly bird has just moved to a new place and wants to make friends. He notices that the other animals need help - a rhino bothered by flies, a crocodile with something stuck in his teeth, a giraffe with a stick behind her ear, and a zebra who can’t eat in peace. The brave little bird has an idea: ‘I think I can help!’ But will helping others be enough to find the friendship he’s looking for?
I Want to Sing!
Bug really wants to sing, but she just can’t figure out how! She meets many friends who try to help. Duck sings about rain, but Bug doesn’t like getting wet. Frog sings about the pond, but Bug can’t swim. Big Bird’s song is too long, and Sad Bird’s song isn’t fun enough. Will Bug ever find the perfect song to sing? Can a new friend help her find her voice?
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!
Squad!
Meet an awesome football squad where each player has special skills! One runs super fast, another can dodge and twist, and there’s an amazing header who never misses. But what happens when they face a tough team on game day? Find out how working together and trusting your teammates can make magic happen on the field!
The Dragonfly Net
When a school assignment asks students to catch and study an insect, two friends set their sights on a speedy dragonfly. After chasing it across the playground without success, they spot a delicate spider’s web and have a clever idea. Can they use nature’s own creation to gently capture this beautiful, fast-flying insect? Join them on an exciting outdoor adventure to discover what happens next!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are friendship stories good for 1st graders?
Friendship stories feature situations 5- and 6-year-olds encounter every day — making friends, sharing, and resolving small disagreements. Research shows that social-themed picture books significantly improve prosocial behaviour in young children (Li et al., 2025), and familiar, relatable themes help hold a beginning reader’s attention.
How do these free books support reading practice?
Each friendship book uses decodable text matched to 1st grade phonics patterns, so children genuinely sound out the words rather than guessing. Stanovich (1986) found that children who read more develop stronger vocabularies and fluency — and stories about topics they care about make that practice feel less like work. For more ideas, see our guide on engaging reluctant readers.
What formats are these free friendship books available in?
All books are free to read on the Bookbot website. Many also include PDF downloads, and select titles offer a read-aloud feature with word-by-word highlighting that follows along with the text.
What reading levels are available for 1st grade friendship books?
The books range from basic CVC words (like cat, sit, hug) through consonant blends and digraphs — covering the phonics skills typically taught in first grade. You can filter by reading level to find a book that matches your child’s current ability.