Nature Books for 2nd Graders
The Bees Want Them Back!
Ned’s shed in his backyard looks a bit plain - can he jazz it up somehow? With help from his magic book, he makes a beeline for the seashore to dig up something very strange and very blue. But when he starts picking flowers in the sunshine to brighten the place up, a grumpy beehive has other ideas! Will Ned get stung, or find a clever way to escape? This decodable reader practices compound words such as ‘backyard,’ ‘beeline,’ ‘seashore,’ and ‘sunshine.’
Cuckoo Can't Cuckoo!
What happens when a cuckoo wakes up one morning and discovers its famous “CUCKOO!” has vanished? Follow this brave little bird as it hops along the ground, peers beneath every leaf, and flies across fields, forests, and a quiet suburb searching for its missing call. Will it ever sing again, or has its voice disappeared forever? This decodable reader practices 2-syllable open words such as “begin,” “open,” “over,” “tiny,” and “music.”
A Day on the Plains
Have you ever wandered across the wide, green plains of Minecraft? Cows munch grass, pigs snuffle along, and horses gallop in every direction you can see. You might spot sunflowers swaying in the sun, or fish leaping in a quiet lake. But what happens when too many hooves trample the same patch of ground? Can a clever farmer keep the land healthy for all? This decodable reader practices the ai/ay phonogram in words such as ‘may,’ ‘plains,’ ‘stay,’ ’trail,’ and ‘raise.’
Catch That Cat!
Spring has arrived, and the garden is bursting with birds, bright petals, and the promise of Holi colors! But a certain sneaky black cat has Plans of his own. Can Girl keep an eye on Mom’s new dress, Grandad’s tiny seedlings, and a very curious squirrel all at once? When a furry blur shoots out the door, everyone has to move fast! This decodable reader practices le/al/el/il words such as ‘gentle,’ ‘squirrel,’ ‘metal,’ ‘sparkle,’ and ‘bundle.’
Don't Sit on That Cloud!
Birds swoop, dragonflies dart, and butterflies drift past on fancy yellow wings - but what about kids without feathers? Could you climb onto a soft cloud and float away at sunset? Could a kite carry you upwards over forests and valleys? Three brilliant friends are determined to find out, even if a silly mistake or two might send them tumbling! This decodable reader practices VC/CV syllables in words like ‘rabbit,’ ‘sunset,’ ‘yellow,’ ‘mountains,’ and ‘until.’
We Made It Rain!
Walt sings to the sky every day, begging the clouds for rain on the dry, gray plain. But what happens when a giant, grinning dinosaur thumps down the trail and wants to join in? Can two loud voices and one silly song really call the clouds down to play? This decodable reader practices the ai/ay phonogram in words like ‘rain,’ ‘day,’ ‘plain,’ ’trail,’ and ‘sway.’
Husks at Night
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to wander across a sea of golden sand? Step into the Minecraft desert, where the sun blazes overhead and shimmering dunes stretch on forever. Where do husks and rabbits hide when the heat gets too fierce? What treasures lie buried beneath the sandstone, and what happens once the sun slips away? Discover a biome full of secrets waiting to be explored! This decodable reader practices the ‘igh’ phonogram in words such as ‘bright,’ ‘high,’ ’night,’ and ‘sight.’
Deep Green Trees
Step into the leafy world of Minecraft forests, where towering oaks and birches stretch high above your head! What creeps between the shadowy trunks when the sun goes down? Why do players need trees so badly, and what happens if we chop down too many in the real world? From gathering seeds to spotting mobs hiding in the green, this adventure shows why forests matter everywhere. This decodable reader practices the ’ee’ sound in words like ‘creep,’ ‘green,’ ’trees,’ ‘see,’ and ‘seeds.’
Sail East!
Dive in and sail east across the Minecraft world - have you ever wondered what lies beneath those endless blue waves? From warm seas where fish weave through kelp to bleak frozen chunks of ice, every ocean hides something different. Which mobs swim in peace, and which ones might be a threat? Can you help keep our real oceans healthy too? This decodable reader practices the ’ea’ phonogram in words like ‘beach,’ ‘clean,’ ‘heat,’ and ‘reach.’