Friendship Books for 1st Graders

Rabbit has a big, brilliant plan - he’s going to be FIRST at EVERYTHING on his very first day of school! First through the door, first across the finish line, first to finish his painting, his story, his math. But what happens when Bee beats him to class, Turtle beats him in the race, and Dog paints a masterpiece? Could there be something Rabbit is first at after all? This decodable reader practices the sh sound in words like ‘brush,’ ‘dash,’ ‘flash,’ ‘share,’ and ‘wish.’

Don has found the perfect soft blue cap at the market - and he loves it more than anything! But what happens when a sudden gust of wind whisks it high into an elm tree? Don tries everything to get it back, but that night something magical catches his eye in the sky. Could the moon itself be the cap thief? This decodable reader practices VCC/CVCC words such as ‘fast,’ ‘held,’ ‘kept,’ and ‘wind.’

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.’

Kobi is a snow-white buffalo calf, and tonight he gets to lead the big New Year parade through the glittering city! But Kobi is shy, the crowds are loud, and Abi has made a very important promise: to stay by his friend’s side the whole way. Can a boy keep his word when the lanterns blaze and his tummy starts to rumble? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘go,’ ‘he,’ ’no,’ ‘shy,’ and ’try.’

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.’

Come explore the wonderful world of dogs! From splashing in lakes to playing fetch, these furry friends love to have fun. Some dogs are shy, some are brave, and some even make the best friends with cats! What adventures will you discover with these lovable pups?

Five kids, one dog, and zero chance of losing - at least, that’s what the squad promised before the championship match. But when the other team’s bus rolls up and out steps the biggest, most serious squad anyone has ever seen, can teamwork really beat pure power? Will one brave gang of friends find a way to score? Lace up your boots and find out! This decodable reader practices the ’ng’ sound in words like ‘strong,’ ‘sprang,’ ‘flings,’ and ‘rings.’

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.'

Bird has just landed in a brand-new part of the world, and he doesn’t know a soul! But when he spots a rhino with buzzing flies, a croc with a sore tooth, and a zebra watching for lions, he’s sure he can lend a wing. Can one little bird really help four big animals - and make four new friends? This decodable reader practices the ’nk’ sound in words like ’think,’ ‘blink,’ ‘stink,’ ’thanks,’ and ‘junk.’

The whole grass belongs to everyone now, but first Kalulu must win an impossible memory contest against the proudest elephant on the Zambezi. Who can name the most rivers? What clever trick does a small hare have hidden up his sleeve? And when the floodwaters rise, will an old rival become an unlikely friend? Find out who wins the meadow and why. This Bookbot level practices the ‘wh’ sound with words like ‘what’, ‘when’, ‘who’, ‘which’, and ‘whole’.