Friendship Books for 1st Graders
Best Buds
Jen and Bud do everything together - making art, sharing snacks, and laughing until their bellies hurt. But what happens when a rough day at school leaves Jen feeling small and jumbled up inside? Can a snuggly pal help when words feel too big? And what about when best pals splash each other one splash too many - is there any pancake big enough to fix it? This decodable reader practices short u with j, v, y through words like ‘bud,’ ‘just,’ ‘yum,’ and ‘yuck.’
Gad Hits It!
Meet Gad, the friendliest ghost in the forest - green skin, cheeky grin, and absolutely no one to play with! When he spots a group of kids having fun in the park, Gad is sure he’s found his new best friends. But will they run away screaming, or will a silly cat, a clever disguise, and a very bouncy volleyball game change everything? This decodable reader practices VC/CVC short vowels through words like ‘Gad,’ ’lad,’ ‘cat,’ ‘ran,’ and ‘hid.’
Fig Pig in the Mist
When Fig Pig spots a tall, glowy-eyed enderman lurking in the damp mist outside the cave, his knees shake - but his curiosity is bigger than his fear. Why is the enderman so sad? Why does it carry off blocks like treasure? Why does it scream into the dark? Join Fig Pig and Sam as they tiptoe closer to find out the truth behind those purple eyes. This decodable reader practices VCC/CVCC words such as ‘and,’ ‘damp,’ ‘felt,’ ‘held,’ and ‘fast.’
The Thing in the Cave!
Deep in a dark cave, Steve spots something pink with a huge, goofy grin swimming up through the water. What is this strange little creature, and why won’t it leave his side? As Steve takes his new friend home, could there be another glowing pet waiting back in the cave? Will two be better than one? This decodable reader practices the ’th’ sound in words such as ’that,’ ’then,’ ’there,’ ’thick,’ and ’thanks.'
Jill Has a Grand Plan
Jill has a grand plan - a quest into the Nether! Can Mage, Doc, and Jill gather what they need for the trip? Will Jill really trot across lava on a Strider’s back, or can clever thinking save the day? With a grin and a zest for adventure, the friends set off on a journey they will never forget. This decodable reader practices CCVC/CCVCC blends in words like ‘plan,’ ‘grin,’ ‘quest,’ and ‘blasts.’
Best Buds!
Two characters are trying to become friends, but things keep getting in the way. One seems prickly and not very cuddly! Will they find a way to get along? Follow along as they try different ideas to become pals. Can they figure out what it takes to be true friends?
Sing It, Bug!
Spring has sprung, and Bug has a fizzy, buzzy feeling in her belly - she wants to SING! But what happens when Duck’s song is too wet, Frog’s is too long, and Big Bird’s is far too loud? Can one tiny bug really find a song of her very own, and will the whole gang ever learn to sing together? This decodable reader practices the ’ng’ sound in words like ‘sing,’ ‘song,’ ’long,’ ‘strong,’ and ‘spring.’
Tag
Steve is the seeker, and he’s sure he can find Alex in ten seconds flat. But the fields are full of surprises - a fluffy dog, a grumpy cat, and even a hen stuck in a hole! Can Steve spot his sister before she sneaks home? Will the greatest seeker ever lived give up, or is Alex closer than he thinks? This decodable reader practices VC/CVC short vowels through playful words like ’tag,’ ‘ran,’ ‘hid,’ ‘hen,’ and ‘dog.’
Pip and the Lost Nuts
Pip the squirrel has stashed forty-nine nuts all over Butternut Hill, ready for winter - but when she checks her secret spots, every single nut has vanished! Who would take them? The buzzing bees? A sneaky fly? Her kind friend Liz? Pip is determined to solve the mystery, even if it means tumbling out of a tree or two along the way. Could the answer be hiding somewhere she never thought to look? This decodable reader practices silent e words such as ‘hive,’ ‘chase,’ ‘dome,’ and ‘smile.’
What a Whiff, Ted!
Ted is off to Ava’s party, white cane in hand, and he’s sure he knows the way. But when Kim rushes up worried he’ll get lost, can Ted really find the party using just smells, sounds, and his trusty cane? What happens when a huge puddle blocks the path, or a barking dog leaps out? Follow Ted and Kim on a clever, sniffy, surprising adventure across town. This decodable reader practices the wh sound in words such as ‘what,’ ‘when,’ ‘which,’ ‘whiff,’ and ‘whole.’