Free Music Books for 1st Graders
We believe every child deserves free access to quality reading materials that nurture a lifelong love of learning. Discover free music books for 1st graders ages 5-6. Our free children’s books feature instruments, songs, and rhythm perfect for beginning readers. Download free story books PDF or read childrens books online free.
The Sea Dragon
Bam and his friends are having fun at the shore when suddenly the ground begins to shake. A massive sea dragon appears, sending big waves crashing onto the beach! The dragon seems very angry. Bam has his trusty flute with him, but can music really calm a fierce sea dragon? Will Bam be brave enough to try?
Make it Rain
Kaa lives in a dry, thirsty land where nothing grows. His special job is to walk from place to place, singing songs that call to the clouds and rain. One day, as Kaa sings his magical song, he hears a strange sound: Thump, thump, thump! A friendly dinosaur has come to join him! Can Kaa and his new dinosaur friend sing loud enough for the clouds to hear them?
Ballerina
Meet a young dreamer with big plans! She wants to become the best ballerina in the whole world. She imagines spinning and floating across stages everywhere, wearing beautiful dresses while crowds cheer for her amazing moves. But becoming a star dancer takes lots of hard work and practice. Will she have what it takes to make her ballet dreams come true? Follow along on this inspiring journey of determination and dance!
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?
Bop
Bop the bull is so excited for the big bull parade, but there’s one problem—he can’t seem to get the dance steps right! No matter how hard he tries, his knees won’t bend properly and his feet keep tripping him up. His big brother encourages him to keep practising and listen to the music. Will Bop be able to learn the dance in time for the parade?
The Elf
Tina has so many chores to do every day, but all she wants is to play! When she hears someone singing her own song back to her in the cornfield, she discovers a magical elf who can do jobs in a flash. But what happens when the elf disappears? Will Tina find her new friend again, or will she have to do all her work alone?
Sad Tune
When a girl plays a sad, lonely tune on her flute, her tears transform into rain that spreads across the field. The animals hear the sorrowful song and wonder who could be so sad. What will they discover when they follow the mysterious melody to find its source?
The Cuckoo's Call
A young cuckoo has everything a bird needs to grow up—strong wings, the ability to find food, and independence. But something important is missing: its very own call! Follow this determined bird as it searches high and low across farms, forests, and treetops. Will the cuckoo ever find its special voice?
I am a Train!
Meet a speedy blue train who loves zooming along the rails! But one midnight, this happy train ventures into unfamiliar territory and discovers something unexpected—a mysterious forest with strange sights. What will the train discover in this unknown place? How will it find its way back home? Join this brave little train on an adventure filled with wonder and new friends!
In the Sky
Look up at the clouds! A man made of clouds waves hello and starts to dance a jig. Soon he brings a friend, and before long, there’s a whole band playing music in the sky! But what happens when the cloud band’s drums start making thunder? Will the children have to go inside, or can they find a way to keep the music going? Grab a blanket and watch the sky to find out!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a connection between music and learning to read?
Yes. Gordon et al. (2015) found that musical rhythm perception is closely linked to phonological awareness — the ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words — which is a core skill for 1st grade readers. Rowe (2023) further showed that music-integrated literacy activities improve decoding in early grades. Our free music books let children explore instruments, songs, and rhythm while practising the very phonics patterns that benefit from that connection. For more on phonics foundations, see what is phonics?.
What formats are these free music books available in?
All music books on Bookbot 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 the text. Research on read-aloud with highlighting (Takacs & Bus, 2020) shows that combining audio with visual text cues strengthens word recognition in beginning readers.
What reading levels do the free music books cover?
The books span the full range of 1st grade phonics, from basic CVC words (like drum, hum, tap) through consonant blends and digraphs. You can filter by level to match your child’s current ability, and our scope and sequence page explains how the progression works.
How can music books help a child who resists reading practice?
When a topic genuinely excites a child, they are far more willing to work through unfamiliar words. Stanovich (1986) showed that even small increases in reading volume create a positive feedback loop of improved vocabulary and fluency. Music-themed books tap into that cycle by giving reluctant readers content they actually want to decode. See our tips on 8 ways to boost reading motivation for more strategies.