Animal Books for 3rd Graders
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.’
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’.
Kofi and the Wry Hyena
Kofi is a clever young goat with a brain quicker than her hooves, and one evening she wanders too far from the village. When Fisi the Hyena blocks every path with his sly, ‘wry’ grin, how can a small goat outsmart a hungry hunter three times her size? And when Fisi’s own trick goes ‘wrong’, what will Kofi choose to do? This Bookbot book practices the ‘wr’ sound with words like ‘wriggle’, ‘wrap’, and ‘wrestles’.
Jackal for Dinner
Lion is hungrier than ever, and when he catches clever Jackal by the tail, one swipe of his mighty paw could end everything. How can a small, trembling trickster outwit the King of the veld? With nothing but bold words and a teetering boulder, Jackal spins a daring plan, but will Lion see through the trick before it is too late? A witty African folktale about wit beating brawn. This Bookbot story practices the /ʒ/ sound in words like ‘confusion’, ‘measure’, ‘occasion’, and ‘vision’.
Yonas Is Afraid
High in the green mountains of Africa, a young woman named Saba longs to win the heart of a quiet, sad-eyed boy who will not eat and will not speak. When a wise healer says the cure needs one whisker from the chin of a living lion, will Saba dare such a dangerous ‘pursuit’? Can patience really tame a wild beast, and mend a broken family? This Bookbot level practices the ‘ui’ sound with words like ‘pursuit’, ‘bruised’, ‘suit’, ‘fluid’, and ‘fruitful’.
The Need for Seed
Zom is tired of the quiet stone room while Skel is off hunting, so he decides to become a farmer! He builds a lovely planter, scoops up every seed he can find, and plants them in neat little rows. But what happens when wild chickens come stomping through? And horses? And sheep, cows, and pigs? Can Zom possibly save his garden - or will he end up with something far stranger? This decodable reader practices the soft c sound in words like ‘celery,’ ‘circus,’ ‘advice,’ and ’excellent.’
The Odd Egg
Zom and Skel have raced to the top of a hill - but what is that strange, glowing egg Zom has found at the bottom? Nobody seems to want it. Not a hen, not a squid, not even a dragon! Will Skel ever find out what laid this odd egg, and what sort of creature might hatch out of it? This decodable reader practices the ‘kn’ phonogram in words like ‘knew,’ ‘kneel,’ ‘knocking,’ and ‘unknown.’
There Are Ants!
A long line of ants is marching straight across the yard, and they look hungry - very hungry! Where are they going, and how much food is enough for so many tiny mouths? From roller skates to a picnic blanket, from the kitchen cupboards to a sweet surprise on the counter, these tough little workers will not stop searching. Will they find the perfect snack? This decodable reader practices the ‘ough’ sound in words like ’thought,’ ’enough,’ ’tough,’ and ‘brought.’
Too Big? Think Bigger!
Rose the sheep is finally heading home after a long summer on the hill - but wait, what’s this? A brand-new gate, and it’s far too small for a big, woolly sheep! Can yoga shrink her down? Will running do the trick? What about swimming? After three weeks of trying, Rose has one last, brilliant idea. This decodable reader practices the ‘kn’ sound in words like ‘knew,’ ‘kneel,’ ‘knots,’ and ‘knuckles.’