Children's Books for 1st Graders
Was It Just A Vast Gust?
Dr Can Do has built the greatest windmill ever - but by sunrise, it’s nothing but a heap of splintered planks and torn sails! Who could have wrecked his masterpiece overnight? With no storm in sight and every fence still standing, something very strange is afoot. Will Dr Can Do and Jill catch the culprit before the next vast gust blows through? This decodable reader practises short u with j, v, y in words like ‘just,’ ‘junk,’ ‘jigs,’ ‘vast,’ and ‘gust.’
Tik and the Big Cat
Tik the mouse has found the perfect house - quiet, cosy, and empty! But what is that strange round creature sitting on the desk, claiming to be a mouse too? It has no whiskers, no paws, and a cord for a tail! When a very big, very hungry cat comes padding in, can these two mismatched mice possibly help each other? This decodable reader practises VCC/CVCC words such as ‘desk,’ ‘fast,’ ‘help,’ and ‘best.’
Yum, Bub, Yum!
Ting the bookworm mouse loves reading more than cheese - but his little brother Tang loves EATING books instead! Can Ting teach Tang to read before a very big, very hungry cat catches them both? With one wobbly sneeze, a daring leap, and a book held up like a shield, these tiny brothers are in for the adventure of their lives. Will Tang discover that stories taste better than paper? This decodable reader practises short u with j, v, y in words like ‘jump,’ ‘munch,’ ’tug,’ and ‘yum.’
Don't Stop, Tim!
Tim is the world’s worst bird at not stopping. Butterflies? He stops. Bugs? He stops. A pretty cloud shaped like a cherry? You bet he stops! But when his young gang zooms off and night falls fast, Tim is all alone - and bird catchers are waiting in the dark. Can one easily-distracted little bird learn to keep flying, no matter what? This decodable reader practises the ng sound in words like ‘sing,’ ’long,’ ‘strong,’ ‘wings,’ and ‘zing.’
The Sad Girl's Song
Why is the rain so sad today? High in the sky, Beck’s flute is playing the loneliest song, and even the clouds can’t help crying along. Down in the garden, Bee, Bird, and two curious rabbits feel the drops on their noses and know something is wrong. Can a tiny team follow the music and find the girl behind the tears? This decodable reader practises the ‘ck’ sound in words like ‘back,’ ‘check,’ ‘flick,’ ’neck,’ and ’track.’
Catch That Cat!
Dr. Can Do has fixed the fountain, the lanterns, and Mrs. Bloom’s wobbly step - so how hard can catching one speedy ginger cat be? Very hard, it turns out! When the little cat zooms away and refuses to listen, Jill shares a clever tip involving a fish and a whole lot of sitting still. Can a busy doctor really learn to wait? This decodable reader practises the nk sound in words like ‘blink,’ ’think,’ ‘funk,’ ‘chunk,’ and ‘pink.’
What a Whiff, Ted!
Ted is off to Ava’s party, white cane in hand, and he’s sure he knows the way. But when Kim rushes up worried he’ll get lost, can Ted really find the party using just smells, sounds, and his trusty cane? What happens when a huge puddle blocks the path, or a barking dog leaps out? Follow Ted and Kim on a clever, sniffy, surprising adventure across town. This decodable reader practises the wh sound in words such as ‘what,’ ‘when,’ ‘which,’ ‘whiff,’ and ‘whole.’
Bones and the Pack
Bones is the bravest dog in the valley - until a terrible storm sends him bolting into the dark woods. Lost and hungry, he meets a wolf pack with pale, watching eyes, and soon he’s running wild beside them, leaving his red bandana behind. But what happens when Zom finds him in the forest clearing? Can Skel bring his best friend home again? This decodable reader practises the sh phonogram through words like ‘crash,’ ‘dash,’ ‘fresh,’ ‘rush,’ and ‘shook.’
Don't Step on the Hot Rocks!
Deep beneath the village, past tunnels of dirt and stone, a cavern glows with rivers of lava and towers of shimmering rock. Jill has brought Tom and the Mischievous Mage here for their very first mining lesson - but can they follow her most important rule? What happens when water meets lava, and why does everyone need a diamond pickaxe? This decodable reader practises the ck phonogram in words such as ‘stack,’ ‘quick,’ ‘block,’ ‘crack,’ and ‘snack.’
Don't Tell Dr Can Do!
Whit the Mage has a BIG secret, and keeping it might just make him burst! Jill is planning a surprise bash for the whole village, complete with a shiny new name and sky-high whiz bangs - but only if Whit can zip his lips around Dr Can Do. Can a mischievous mage who loves to chatter actually stay quiet? And what happens when the lanterns glow and the crowd gathers? This decodable reader practises the ‘wh’ sound in words like ‘what,’ ‘when,’ ‘whirl,’ ‘whiz,’ and ‘whole.’