Sports Books for 1st Graders
Our mission is making literacy accessible to all children, because reading opens doors to endless possibilities. Discover exciting sports books for 1st graders ages 5-6. Our children’s books feature teamwork, games, and athletic adventures perfect for beginning readers. These picture books and storybooks build reading confidence through action-packed sports stories.
Emma can Roll!
Emma receives an exciting gift on her special day—a shiny new bike! She decorates it to make it extra special and learns important safety rules. Now Emma is ready to ride through her neighborhood and discover all the wonderful places waiting for her. Where will her bike adventures take her?
Spencer Can Advance!
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.
Squad!
Meet an awesome football squad where each player has special skills! One runs super fast, another can dodge and twist, and there’s an amazing header who never misses. But what happens when they face a tough team on game day? Find out how working together and trusting your teammates can make magic happen on the field!
The Duck Race
Meet an eager young duck trainer with a special feathered friend! Watch as they work together to help their duck learn to fly faster and faster. With practice and determination, they’re ready for the big race day. Will their hard work pay off? Find out as you cheer on this speedy duck!
In My Tum
Join in the excitement at the street fair! There’s an eating contest, fun games, and a chance to win big prizes. But when the narrator gets so focused on winning the noodle-eating contest that they start neglecting their team, will they discover what really matters? Find out what happens when competitive spirit meets teamwork!
Jump Up!
Coach Vic has an exciting surprise for his students after school! When they discover it’s volleyball, Tim worries he won’t be good enough. But Coach Vic believes everyone can have fun playing sports. Will Tim overcome his doubts and discover the joy of this amazing game? Join the team and find out!
What’s Your Name?
Jojo spots a boy playing football alone on the field and decides to join him. The boy is amazingly skilled—so swift and quick that Jojo can barely keep up! But something seems different about this player. When Jojo calls out for a break, the boy doesn’t stop. When Jojo shouts a warning, the boy doesn’t look up. What will happen when Jojo discovers the boy’s secret? And how will these two very different kids find a way to become friends?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do sports books help reluctant 1st grade readers build fluency?
Sports books for 1st graders connect decoding practice to a topic children are already passionate about, which is critical for reluctant readers. Stanovich’s Matthew Effect research (1986) shows that children who read more build vocabulary and fluency faster, creating a positive cycle. Sports stories for 5 year olds on Bookbot provide the high-interest motivation that gets reluctant readers to pick up another book. Browse sports books on the Bookbot website, with many titles free to read and select titles offering word-by-word highlighted read-aloud.
What phonics skills do 1st graders practise through sports picture books?
First graders work through CVC words, consonant blends, and digraphs during the ‘initial reading and decoding’ stage described by Chall (1983). Sports picture books for first grade on Bookbot are levelled along a structured scope and sequence that aligns each story to these specific phonics patterns. This means a child practises blending ‘kick’ or ‘run’ in context rather than in isolation, which Ehri et al. (2001) found to be more effective for building automatic word recognition.
Can sports books for beginning readers introduce teamwork and social skills?
Sports books for beginning readers naturally explore themes like teamwork, fair play, and perseverance, giving first graders vocabulary and scenarios to discuss social skills. Wang (2025) highlights the role of varied reading content in children’s broader cognitive and social development. Bookbot’s sports books for 1st graders present these themes in decodable text, so children build reading skills and social understanding simultaneously.
How can parents use sports stories for 5 year olds to build a daily reading habit?
Parents can set a short daily reading session using a sports story the child chooses, since autonomy and interest are key to habit formation. Our article on 8 ways to boost reading motivation offers practical strategies for making reading a consistent part of the day. Sports books are available on the Bookbot website, with many titles free to read online and select titles offering word-by-word highlighting so children can follow along independently when parents are busy.