SEL Books for 1st Graders

Sam and his sister are the greatest monster slayers in the whole world - brooms up, buckets ready, no beast too scary! But what happens when a new kind of monster sneaks in quietly, one you can’t whack or chase away? Can a hug, a chat, and a very smart doctor help Sam find his spark again? This decodable reader practices CCVC/CCVCC blends through words like ‘glum,’ ‘slept,’ ‘smart,’ ‘quick,’ and ‘still.’

Rose the sheep is plump, happy, and heading home after a sunny summer on the hill - but oh no, the farmer has built a tiny new gate, and Rose is stuck fast! Can yoga squish her smaller? Will running slim her down? What about swimming? Three weeks of wobbly tries later, why is Rose still exactly the same size, and what clever idea pops into her head? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘my,’ ’try,’ ‘she,’ ‘so,’ and ‘why.’

Dragon’s big fire test is tomorrow, and he’s SURE he’s a natural - so why bother practicing when there are cheese puffs to eat? But when the big moment arrives, only a sad puff of smoke comes out! Can a friendly chili plant in funky sunglasses help Dragon find his spark before it’s too late? Will he ever light up the sky? This decodable reader practices silent e words such as ‘flame,’ ‘brave,’ ‘bite,’ ‘place,’ and ‘save.’

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.’

Poor Tire! He’s tired of the bumpy car, he’s squished flat by a huge truck, and he’s way too wide for a boy’s bike. Everywhere he rolls, he just doesn’t fit. Will he ever find the perfect place to belong? Could a kind boy with a big idea change everything? Bounce along on this bumpy, funny adventure and find out! This decodable reader practices silent e words such as ‘bike,’ ‘came,’ ‘huge,’ ‘ride,’ and ‘smile.’

Diane is the proudest litterbug around - until one morning, a stinky, buzzing cloud of rubbish appears above her bed and refuses to leave! What happens when the trash cloud follows her to school in front of all her friends? Can a lonely girl and one brave little rat figure out how to make the mess disappear before it swallows the whole park? This decodable reader practices the ’th’ sound in words like ’thank,’ ’that,’ ’think,’ and ‘with.’

Every night, Frog gazes up at the glowing stars and dreams of holding just one in his tiny hands. But stars are awfully high, and Frog is awfully small - so how will he ever reach them? Will climbing the tallest palm tree do the trick, or could the real magic be hiding somewhere much closer to home? Join Frog on a brave, starry-eyed adventure! This decodable reader practices the nk phonogram with words like ‘pink,’ ‘blink,’ ‘yank,’ ’trunk,’ and ’thank.’

Tig loves her quiet pond - no noisy pals, no fuss, just sunshine and snacks… or so she thinks. But when she tries to grab a mouse, a fawn, and a whole herd of deer, every creature bolts before she can blink. Why does everyone run from Tig? And when the forest goes silent, will she still want to be all alone? This decodable reader practices the ’th’ sound in words like ’this,’ ’them,’ ‘path,’ and ’through.’

Lily woke up with a big, squeezing belly-ache - and a heavy little monkey clinging to her back! He follows her everywhere: into the garden, into her dance practice, even into her tears. With the art festival just days away, how will Lily ever spin and leap with a monkey hanging on? Can Mom help her find the courage to shake him loose? This decodable reader practices short u with j, v, y in words like ‘jumps,’ ‘hug,’ ‘pluck,’ and ‘yup.’

Ned has built the best beehive ever, and the honey inside is the yummiest thing he has ever tasted! But what happens when Ned eats honey for breakfast, honey for lunch, and honey on EVERYTHING in between? Why is his tummy grumbling like a grumpy bullfrog, and what strange dream waits for him when he finally falls asleep? Will Ned ever listen to The Book? This decodable reader focuses on the ’th’ sound in words like ’thanks,’ ’thumps,’ ’thud,’ and ’three.'