SEL Books for 1st Graders

Meet Cuckoo, a clever bird who can fly higher than hawks and balance on the thinnest twig - but there’s one thing she simply cannot do. Her call has vanished! Where could it have gone? Has she lost it in the meadow, the farm, or the forest? Will Cuckoo ever find her voice again? This decodable reader practices the th sound in words like ’this,’ ’them,’ ’there,’ and ’thump.'

Behind the pink curtains, a puppeteer is ready for the perfect show - but what happens when the wrong backdrop turns a fancy lady’s quiet evening into a jungle adventure? With a huge tiger on the loose and a calm doctor who refuses to panic, can anyone convince the Rich Lady to run? Kids will giggle as every plan goes delightfully sideways. This decodable reader practices silent e words such as ‘hide,’ ‘cute,’ ‘shine,’ ‘smile,’ and ‘wide.’

Meet Nakita, a caring helper who makes a difference! When she discovers an injured elephant stuck in a pit, she springs into action. Will Nakita be able to help this gentle giant feel better? Join her on an exciting adventure filled with compassion and teamwork!

Pang the cicada has the biggest job of his life - conducting the Dry Season Concert for the whole forest! His wings tremble, his knees wobble, and his glasses keep sliding down his nose. Can he get the choir to sing in tune? And what happens when something very wet and very unexpected starts falling from the sky at a DRY season concert? A decodable reader practicing open syllables in words like ‘be,’ ‘fly,’ ‘my,’ ’try,’ and ‘we.’

Spencer loves sports and staying active! When disaster strikes his community, Spencer springs into action to help. Will Spencer and his friends be able to make a difference when families need them most? Join Spencer on an inspiring journey of community service and teamwork.

The Baobab drops its fruit for everyone who asks politely, and there is always enough to share. But when a greedy hyena named Fisi decides he wants all of it before dawn, will his shouting and scheming get him a single pod? Can a clever girl and a patient tree teach him that you cannot steal what is freely given? Find out what Fisi finally learns. This story practices the /ŋ/ sound with words like ’long’, ‘bring’, ’thing’, ‘fangs’, and ‘springs’.

The waterhole was cool and clear, shared by every animal on the plain, until huge Tembo the Elephant stomped up and claimed it all for himself. How could clever little Sungura the Hare stand up to someone so enormous? When the biggest animal refuses to share, what plan could a tiny hare possibly hatch? Read on to find out how brains can beat brawn! This Bookbot book practices the /k/ sound, with lesson words like ‘back’, ‘quick’, ‘rock’, ‘sticks’, and ’trick’.

Out past the last road, in a little cabin in the woods, Cam has a good little lamp that helps him chase frogs and read stories after dark. But what happens when bright electric lights arrive and Cam forgets all about his faithful flame? Will the lonely little lamp ever shine again? Snuggle in and find out why some friends glow brightest when you need them most. This decodable reader practices silent e words such as ‘brave,’ ‘flame,’ ‘home,’ ‘safe,’ and ‘while.’

Greedy Gĩcere the hyena grabs every meal in the valley, so what happens when clever rabbit Mwĩrĩ sets a sealed pot bubbling on the fire? She says a sealed pot cooks the sweetest, and one pot means one rule. But can a hungry hyena really wait? Will he keep his paws off before the lid comes free? This Bookbot SH story practices the /ʃ/ sound with words like ‘shut’, ‘push’, ‘shake’, ‘splash’, and ‘blushes’.

Habtamu the weaver loves nothing more than breathing in the delicious smells drifting from his rich neighbor’s kitchen. But when greedy Bekele drags him to court demanding payment for a smell he never touched, how can a poor man with only three coins in his pocket possibly win? What clever twist will the wise old judge deliver? This Bookbot NK story practices the /ŋk/ sound with lesson words like ‘bank’, ‘sink’, ’think’, ’thank’, and ‘wink’.