Children's Books for 3rd Graders

Gran says they’re making the best coconut bars in the whole world - from scratch. But what does “from scratch” actually mean? Climbing trees? Cranking wheels until your wrists ache? Wrestling stubborn husks that refuse to budge? With every crack, thunk, and stir, the kitchen fills with the sweetest smell ever - but will Gran ever say the magic words: “We are done”? A decodable reader practicing the ‘wr’ sound in words like ‘wrapped,’ ‘wrestled,’ ‘wriggle,’ and ‘wrists.’

Ned has landed in a strange, blocky world, and his very first rule is simple: don’t go outside! But when the nights turn freezing and heinous monsters lurk between the trees, can a talking Book really help him build a cozy shed with a warm furnace inside? Will Ned be brave enough to step out and gather what he needs before dark? This decodable reader practices the ’ei’ phonogram in words like ‘weird,’ ‘ceiling,’ ’neither,’ ‘receive,’ and ‘being.’

It’s Jan’s birthday, and the whole family has a secret mission! Mom is swirling frosting on a giant cake, Dad is puffing up balloons until his face turns tomato-red, and Grandpa has wheeled in a shiny surprise. But who will carry all the wobbling boxes into the party room without dropping a thing? Can Tim really pull it off? This decodable reader practices the eigh phonogram in words like ’eight,’ ’eighteen,’ ’neighbor,’ and ‘weighed.’

Zom’s chickens keep vanishing, and a weird fox is to blame! He’s already lost eight hens to her sneaky night-time visits. Can new planks, a heavy gate, and express freight deliveries outsmart a clever thief? Or will Zom need a wilder plan - one that involves hiding in the weeds and feigning a monster at the top of his lungs? What will Zom discover out in the moonlight? This decodable reader practices the ’ei’ phonogram in words like ’eight,’ ‘freight,’ ‘height,’ and ‘weird.’

Dr Can Do’s furnace is always hungry, and the coal is nearly gone! Luckily, Jill has a bright idea - why not build a machine that grows and cuts bamboo all by itself? But just as the clever contraption is ready, a cheeky chicken hops right on top and starts pecking at the red stone. Can anything keep this feathery escape artist away? This decodable reader practices the soft c sound in words such as ‘face,’ ‘fence,’ ‘piece,’ and ’nice.’

Can the Orange Cats squeeze out of their tiny dirt hut and build a real home of their own? With muddy whiskers, heavy stacks of stone, and monsters groaning in the dark, moving day turns out to be harder than they ever imagined. Will they battle the giant spider and finish their dream house before night falls again? This decodable reader practices the ‘ough’ sound in words like ‘brought,’ ‘fought,’ ’tough,’ and ’though.’

The village bell is clanging, pillagers are swarming the hill, and Brat Cat’s wrist is trembling on her sword. Can one brave cat, two loyal wolves, and a grumpy iron golem really hold back wave after wave of raiders? And what happens when a snorting, tusked Ravager comes crashing through the trees with wrath in its eyes? You won’t believe who saves the day! This decodable reader practices the ‘wr’ sound in words like ‘wrist,’ ‘wrath,’ ‘wreak,’ and ‘wrong.’

Before the first cattle came, the savanna lay silent and Naisula heard only the wind. What is the strange braided rope she finds trailing down from the clouds, and what could be resting on the far end? When the fibers begin to fray and the last calf is still climbing down, can one girl remember what her grandmother taught her in time? A warm, brave tale of courage and heritage. This Bookbot book practices the /ʒ/ sound in words like ’treasure’, ‘measure’, ‘decision’, ‘closure’, and ‘unusual’.

One plum towel, one windy day, and suddenly it is sailing off into the sky like a ghost with places to go! Who will grab it first as it drifts across the yard? Will a splashing neighbor claim it, a horn player use it as a cushion, or will our little hero ever get that perfect towel back? Hold on tight and find out! This decodable reader practices the ‘ph’ sound in words such as ‘phew,’ ‘phantom,’ ‘megaphone,’ ‘symphony,’ and ’triumph.’

When Fig Pig gives Brat Cat a very special birthday present - a pair of wings! - she can hardly believe her eyes. But how do you learn to fly when the ground looks so very far away? Can Brat Cat be brave enough to leap off the cliff and soar into the valley below? And will Fig Pig remember to teach her everything she needs to know? This decodable reader practices the ough phonogram in words like ‘bought,’ ‘brought,’ ‘rough,’ ’tough,’ and ’through.’