Frequently Asked Questions

Why is nonfiction reading important for 1st graders?

Nonfiction builds the background knowledge and vocabulary that children need for comprehension in every subject. The NCTE stresses that regular exposure to informational text from the earliest grades prepares children for the academic reading they will encounter later. Snow, Burns, and Griffin (1998) likewise found that broad knowledge is a key predictor of reading success. Bookbot’s free nonfiction books pair real-world content with decodable text so 1st graders build knowledge and phonics skills at the same time. For more on the foundations of reading, see how do children learn to read?.

What formats are these free nonfiction books available in?

All nonfiction 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. Takacs and Bus (2020) found that audio narration paired with highlighted text strengthens word recognition in young children, making the read-aloud option especially useful for 5- and 6-year-olds.

What reading levels do the free nonfiction books cover?

The books span the full range of 1st grade phonics, from basic CVC words (like dog, map, sun) through consonant blends and digraphs. Each book is tagged by phonics level, so you can match it to your child’s current ability. Our scope and sequence page explains how the stages progress.

How does nonfiction help first graders learn new vocabulary?

Nonfiction naturally introduces words children rarely hear in everyday conversation — terms related to animals, weather, space, and the human body. Ehri et al. (2001) showed that systematic phonics instruction helps children decode these new words independently, and encountering them in meaningful contexts makes them easier to remember. For tips on expanding reading beyond one genre, see our article on what are decodable books?.