Children's Books for 3rd Graders
No More Torches!
When Dr. Can Do marches into a village lit by smoky, drippy torches, he’s certain he has the answer to all their problems. But will the villagers trust his shiny new workshop on the hill? What happens when he flicks that mysterious switch on the wall? And can a man with a donkey, a grin, and a head full of wild ideas really change the face of this little village forever? This decodable reader practices the soft c sound in words like ‘ceiling,’ ‘chance,’ ’noticed,’ and ‘magnificent.’
Skel Gets a Dog
Skel the skeleton has everything a hunter needs - a crossbow, sturdy boots, and a fine set of bones from toe to skull. But something is missing! What could be better than a brave, loyal pup by his side? Skel is certain it’s an excellent choice… until his new dog Bones takes a hungry liking to, well, his bones. Can Skel train his mischievous pup before he falls to pieces? This decodable reader practices the soft c in words like ‘certain,’ ‘choice,’ ‘decided,’ ‘place,’ and ’nice.’
Stop That Fox!
One sunny morning, a chicken wanders into the pen - and Fig Pig, Tip, and Brat Cat can’t believe their luck. Fresh eggs every day! But when a sneaky fox darts under the fence and snatches a chicken right off the ground, can the three friends catch her before she disappears for good? Who will outsmart who? This decodable reader practices the ‘ui’ sound in words like ‘fruit,’ ‘juice,’ ‘bruised,’ ‘cruise,’ and ‘pursuit.’
That Bucket Weighs a Ton!
Ned has built a brand-new house in a quiet neighborhood, but there’s a problem - he’s down to his last few apples and his tummy is rumbling! Luckily, The Book has a plan involving seeds, a hoe, and one very heavy bucket of water. Can Ned haul it all the way from the beach without tipping into the sea? And will his tiny green shoots ever grow into real food? This decodable reader practices the ’eigh’ phonogram in words like ’eight,’ ‘weighs,’ ‘weighty,’ and ’neighbors.’
That Calf Won't Budge!
Tal has one simple job: walk the calf home before dark. Easy, right? But when his friends call him over for a game, the rope slips from his wrist - and soon that stubborn calf won’t budge an inch! Can Tal tug, push, and pull his way back in time, or will something surprising save the day? This decodable reader practices the ‘wr’ sound in words like ‘wrap,’ ‘wrist,’ ‘wriggled,’ and ‘wrung.’
That Pig Wants My Carrot!
Ned has built a house, a wheat field, and a sturdy fence - but is wheat really all he can grow? When he stumbles across a field of strange orange things poking up like stubby pencils, he carries a carrot home and races the sunset. But who is that sneaky pink shadow following close behind? This decodable reader practices soft c words such as ‘fence,’ ’nice,’ ‘face,’ and ‘certainly.’
That's Not My Face!
Three naughty children cannot wait to peek at their father’s magic mirror - but what happens when the glass shows ugly, weird monsters instead of their own faces? Is the mirror broken, or is something stranger going on? Can a feisty brother outsmart it with a fancy hat, or will his sister outrun it? Join the farm children as they try to lift the veil on a very peculiar reflection. This decodable reader practices the ’ei’ phonogram in words like ‘being,’ ’either,’ ‘weird,’ and ‘veil.’
A Race for Fish
Otieno’s family needs the best fishing spot on the lake, but sly old Musa never loses his one-day contest. What secret trick lets Musa win every time, and can a clever boy uncover it before the sun goes down? Race out onto the water and find out whether thinking can beat pulling! This Bookbot book practices the ‘kn’ sound with words like ‘knack’, ‘knot’, ‘knocks’, ‘kneels’, and ‘knuckles’.
Thabo and the Deep Water
The river boys of Thabo’s village have one rule: never wade past the stepping stones, because everyone knows a crocodile ‘cruises’ the dark water beyond. So why would a nine-year-old cross them alone? And when Thabo finds the great beast trapped and ‘bruised’ on a sandbar, what will he choose to do? A river that takes can also give, but only a brave, kind heart will learn how. This Bookbot level practices the ‘ui’ sound with words like ‘cruise’, ‘fruit’, ‘juicy’, and ‘suitable’.
Auma and the Strange Ripple
Every evening, Auma carries water home from the great silver lake. But when a ripple moves against the wind and a green hand offers her a humming feather, what promise is she really being asked to keep? Days later a storm swallows her father’s canoe far from shore, and the grown men say there is nothing to be done. Can one soaked, frightened girl call the lake spirit in time? This Bookbot level practices the ‘augh’ sound with words like ‘caught’, ‘daughter’, ‘distraught’, ‘haughty’ and ’taught’.