Free STEM Books for 1st Graders
We’re committed to removing barriers to literacy by providing free books that children love. Discover free STEM books for 1st graders ages 5-6. Our free children’s books feature engineering, technology, and problem-solving perfect for beginning readers. Download free story books PDF or read childrens books online free.
Birds Like Me Don't Fly
Hank has one enormous dream - he wants to fly! But his wings are small, his body is big, and his feet just won’t leave the ground. When the other birds laugh and say birds like Hank don’t fly, will he give up on his dream? Or could a plank, some tape, and a very big idea change everything? Grab your goggles and find out! This decodable reader practices the nk sound in words like ‘bank,’ ‘clank,’ ‘shrink,’ and ’think.’
Red, Sun, and Sky!
Red, Sun, and Sky are three dinosaur friends with one colorful job: paint the gray neighborhood bright! But what happens when red splashes into yellow, or blue swirls with sun? And why does Blue Dinosaur keep warning his friends not to mix all three colors at once? Will the dinosaurs dare to break the biggest rule in the sky? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘fly,’ ‘my,’ ‘sky,’ ’try,’ and ‘we.’
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.’
Not Again, Dr. Can Do!
Dr. Can Do’s workshop is a disaster - there’s stuff in every corner, slabs piled to the ceiling, and barely room to stand! Can a clever inventor tidy up without getting distracted? What happens when he spots the bubbling lava pit and gets That Look in his eye? Will his brilliant new plan actually solve the mess, or make things even worse? This decodable reader practices CCVC/CCVCC blends in words like ‘blast,’ ‘clump,’ ‘grand,’ ‘slabs,’ and ‘slump.’
One Last Task!
Doc is busy, busy, busy! He has a soft wool rug, a flock of sheep, and a head full of big ideas. But can one person really build a whole shop all on his own? And when his list is finally empty, will Doc put his feet up - or will he find one more task to tackle? Join Doc and Jill for a warm, bustling village adventure. This decodable reader practices VCC/CVCC words such as ‘barn,’ ‘fast,’ ‘help,’ ‘gift,’ and ’next.’
Dig, Ned, Dig!
Ned has built a snug little shed on a sunny hill, and he thinks his work is finally done - but what happens when The Book says it’s time to dig? Armed with a brand new shovel and a grin from ear to ear, Ned scoops sand, carves tunnels, and clangs straight into something hard and shiny. Can one small tool really crack solid stone? This decodable reader practices silent e words such as ‘make,’ ’nice,’ ‘wide,’ ‘brave,’ and ‘stone.’
A Gal Can Do It!
Jill has a hard task - piles of cobblestone everywhere, and the line at the stone-disposal bin is far too long! Can she really build her own bin with just a list of parts, a bucket, and a whole lot of stubborn grit? When things go wrong and a tiny piece goes missing, will Jill figure it out before the sun sets? This decodable reader practices VCC/CVCC words such as ‘hard,’ ’task,’ ’list,’ ‘fast,’ and ‘best.’
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should 1st graders read STEM books alongside fiction?
STEM books build the background knowledge and specialized vocabulary that Scarborough (2001) identified as essential strands of skilled reading. The NCTE emphasizes that children need regular exposure to informational text from the earliest grades, and STEM topics — simple machines, space, patterns, how things work — are naturally fascinating to 5- and 6-year-olds. Bookbot’s free STEM books deliver this content through decodable text so children grow their knowledge while practicing phonics. For more on balancing content types, see what are decodable books?.
What formats are these free STEM books available in?
All STEM 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. Murphy Odo (2024) found that digitally enhanced reading tools support decoding development in early readers, so the interactive read-aloud option is a particularly effective way for 1st graders to engage with STEM content.
What reading levels do the free STEM books cover?
The books range from basic CVC words (like add, mix, dig) through consonant blends and digraphs — the full span of phonics skills taught in 1st grade. Each book is tagged by level so you can match it to your child’s current ability. Our scope and sequence page explains how the progression works.
Can STEM books help a first grader who struggles with reading motivation?
Many children who resist reading fiction will eagerly pick up a book about rockets, robots, or how bridges are built. Stanovich (1986) showed that any increase in reading volume triggers a positive cycle of stronger vocabulary and fluency, and the NRP (2000) confirmed that pairing phonics instruction with engaging content improves outcomes. STEM topics give reluctant readers a concrete reason to decode. For more strategies, see our guide on reluctant readers.