Friendship Books for 1st Graders

Tina has a mountain of chores and a silly song to sing while she works - but what happens when a tiny elf in the cornfield sings her song right back? With one snap of magical fingers, every job is done! But can Tina keep her new friend, or will the elf vanish as quickly as she appeared? This decodable reader practices the ‘sh’ sound in words like ‘brush,’ ‘dish,’ ‘shines,’ ‘shore,’ and ‘wish.’

Have you ever had a day so noisy, so busy, so sneezy that you just had to escape? Brat Cat has - and she’s had ENOUGH of the shop rush! With her pals Fig Pig and Tip, she tromps off to the cool birch shade to build something small, quiet, and all her own. But will her perfect hideaway stay as peaceful as she hopes? This decodable reader practices the sh phonogram in words like ‘crush,’ ‘rush,’ ‘shade,’ and ‘wish.’

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?

Long ago, Sun and Moon lived in a fine hut with a door that never shut. When their oldest friend Water finally comes to visit, bringing tiny fish and rushing streams, will there be enough room for everyone? As the water rises higher and higher, where will these two kind hosts go? This joyful African folktale explains something you see every day. This Bookbot SH level practices the /ʃ/ sound with words like ‘fish’, ‘rush’, ‘gush’, ‘dash’, and ‘shine’.

Ned thinks the forest is his - until a pack of huge wolves comes racing after him! Can a boy with a bag of bones turn snarling beasts into loyal friends? And what happens when zombies come groaning out of the dark - will Ned face them alone, or will his new pack stand by his side? A thrilling adventure full of brave plans and close calls. This decodable reader practices silent e words such as ‘bone,’ ‘brave,’ ‘chase,’ ‘prize,’ and ‘wise.’

Chip and Pip are the very best of chums - until one big day changes everything between them. Why is Chip suddenly so cross? Why won’t Pip come back to their cozy spot by the branch? When friends say the wrong words, can they ever find the right ones again? Curl up with this gentle tale of two pals who just might need each other more than they know. This decodable reader practices the ch sound in words like ‘chum,’ ‘branch,’ ‘munch,’ and ‘catch.’

Zom the zombie is tired of neighbors who only groan about brains - he wants a REAL friend! When he hears a buzz and finds a golden hive humming in a birch tree, he’s sure he’s struck friendship gold. But will shaking the tree to say hello really bring the bees out to play? And what happens when a swarm with fangs comes zinging after him? This decodable reader practices the ’ng’ phonogram in words such as ‘sing,’ ‘spring,’ ‘hangs,’ ‘wings,’ and ‘sting.’

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.’

Prince Din wants the biggest leaf ball in the kingdom - but the best leaves grow in the wild forest, where dangerous creatures are said to lurk! When a huge striped cat comes bounding out of the bushes, Din bolts deeper into the trees and gets horribly lost. Is that tiger really chasing him, or could something stranger be going on? This decodable reader practices short u with j, v, y in words like ‘jumps,’ ’luck,’ ‘plums,’ and ‘stuck.’

Diya knows more about butterflies than anyone in her school - but she’s far too shy to say a word. Then, on a class trip to the park, a fat striped caterpillar inches right past her feet, and fourteen facts bubble up to the tip of her tongue. Could one tiny creature help Diya finally find her voice? This decodable reader practices silent e words like ‘smile,’ ‘glide,’ ‘gaze,’ and ’tale.’