Animal Books for 1st Graders

The forest people have lost every fire to the cold rains, and only greedy Old Ape guards a flame on his hill. When brave little Kele sets off with just his pipe and a clever plan, can a song win what a whole village cannot? Will the boy outsmart a beast who guards fire with all his might? This Bookbot SH level practises the /ʃ/ sound with lesson words like ‘shift’, ‘hush’, ‘dash’, ‘shy’, and ‘wish’.

Kalulu the Hare is the smallest animal in the village, and everyone says he’s too small to matter. So when the mighty buffalo Ngombe seizes the finest field and refuses to share, what can one tiny hare possibly do? Could clever feet and a sharp mind outrun a beast ten times his size? Find out how one little hare stands up to a very big bully. This Bookbot level practises the ‘ch’ sound with lesson words like ‘champ’, ‘chant’, ‘check’, ‘cheer’, and ‘much’.

When Crab spots a strange red “plant” clinging to a rock, can he resist just one tiny pinch? And when things go terribly wrong down in the deep, who will swim to the rescue before the shadows close in? Dive into a bubbly reef adventure full of darting fish, curled seahorses, and one very pinchy little friend who just won’t learn! This decodable reader practises the ck sound in words like ‘pick,’ ‘snack,’ ‘quick,’ ‘knock,’ and ‘stuck.’

Rabbit has a big, brilliant plan - he’s going to be FIRST at EVERYTHING on his very first day of school! First through the door, first across the finish line, first to finish his painting, his story, his maths. But what happens when Bee beats him to class, Turtle beats him in the race, and Dog paints a masterpiece? Could there be something Rabbit is first at after all? This decodable reader practises the sh sound in words like ‘brush,’ ‘dash,’ ‘flash,’ ‘share,’ and ‘wish.’

Bop can’t wait for the big parade, but his feet have other plans! Every time he tries to jig, he bumps into a shrub or gets stuck in the mud. Yuck! Will Bop ever learn to jump and jog along to the beat? Or will his wobbly feet spoil the fun? Big brother Bud has one last trick up his sleeve… A decodable reader practising short u with j, v, y in words like ‘jump,’ ‘hugs,’ ‘yuck,’ and ‘just.’

Dora the duckling goes EVERYWHERE with her big red umbrella - to breakfast, to the park, even to the bath! But one rainy morning, it’s vanished. Can a squirrel’s bushy tail, a frog’s lily pad, or a mouse’s tin can help a very soggy duck find what she’s lost? Will Dora ever track down her favourite polka-dot treasure? This decodable reader practises short u with j, v, y in words like ‘junk,’ ‘just,’ ‘up,’ and ‘yup.’

Mum Otter has a big day planned for her wiggly pack of pups - swimming, hiding, and finally, FISHING! But can four bouncy little otters stay still long enough to learn? What happens when they spot a net in the river, a snapping trap in the grass, and a crocodile with its jaws wide open? And will anyone actually catch a fish before lunch? This decodable reader practises the ck phonogram in words like ‘pack,’ ‘quick,’ ‘snack,’ ‘rock,’ and ’tricks.’

Ahoy there! Can Fig Pig really sail the wide blue sea without a crew? He packs his ship with snacks, steps onto the deck, and sets off to find brave sailors to join him. But the fish just flick away, the polar bears stamp, and the swamp is full of muck and yuck! Will Fig Pig ever find the right crew? This decodable reader practises the ck sound in words like ‘deck,’ ‘snacks,’ ‘quick,’ ’luck,’ and ’trick.’

Poor Pup just wants a nap, but something in the garden keeps going CHIRP! CHIRP! Who could be making all that noise? Is it Trunk the elephant, with his big floppy trumpet? Is it prickly Spike, or the colourful toucans high up in the tree? Pup sniffs and searches every bush to track down the mystery chirper - but will he ever get his quiet little snooze? This decodable reader practises the ‘ch’ sound in words like ‘chirp,’ ‘chirps,’ ‘branch,’ and ‘patch.’

When Brat Cat spots a slick horse all alone in the glade, she thinks she’s found the perfect new pet for her farm - but what happens when lightning cracks and the horse turns out to be made of rattling white BONES? Can Brat Cat escape the bony fists chasing her through the thick black woods? Will her loyal pack of dogs reach her in time? This decodable reader practises the ck phonogram in words like ‘click,’ ‘crack,’ ‘knock,’ ‘quick,’ and ‘smack.’