Family Books for 1st Graders

When Len shows off a shiny new gift, Jim blurts out that he has even better stuff at home - but does he really? With his loyal pup at his heels, Jim sets off on a wild hunt through the house, grabbing bits and bobs from every room. Will his big brag land him in a fuss, or will he find something truly special? This lively decodable reader practises short u with j, v, y in words like ‘fun,’ ‘must,’ ‘shrub,’ and ‘hunt.’

Pam is SURE she is a tree, and trees don’t take naps - not ever! Can a girl with leafy green hair really outrun bedtime? Watch Pam zoom past the elm, boss a whole row of trees, and hide in a bush so sneaky even the birds get a fright. But what happens when the path twists and Pam can’t find her way home? This decodable reader practises VCC/CVCC words such as ‘fast,’ ‘held,’ ‘past,’ ‘rest,’ and ‘went.’

Dad pedals off to work, and tonight feels a MILLION hours away - so how will one determined girl catch up? Hop on a wobbly scooter, zoom past a shiny car, rumble in a big green bus, lurch across a field in a digger, and SPLASH through the waves on a speedboat. Each ride is faster than the last, but can she really chase Dad all the way across the ocean? This decodable reader practises the ’th’ sound in words like ’that,’ ’the,’ ’there,’ and ’thinks.'

Have you ever looked up at the clouds and spotted something that looked just like a person waving back? When Chip points at the sky, a puffy cloud man appears - then cloud chums jigging, singing, and banging drums in a huge sky band! But what happens when the music turns into thunder and rain smacks everyone on the cheek? This decodable reader practises the ‘ch’ sound in words like ‘chip,’ ‘chums,’ ‘catch,’ ‘bunch,’ and ‘watch.’

Bub’s family loves the park bench, but Bub has her eye on something far more exciting - a bright kite dancing in the sky! What happens when Bub grabs the string and a big gust of wind lifts her feet right off the ground? Can Pup hold on tight enough to save her, or will the whole family end up dangling in the clouds? This decodable reader practises the ‘ch’ sound in words like ‘chomps,’ ‘fetch,’ ‘watch,’ and ‘chain.’

Meg is marching all the way to Gran’s house by herself - no running, no skipping, just slow and sensible steps past the brick wall. But what is that sharp YAP coming from around the corner? Is a huge dog with a mean chomp waiting to pounce? Meg’s feet are already running the wrong way - can she be brave enough to peek and see what is really there? This decodable reader practises the ‘ch’ sound in words like ‘chase,’ ‘chomp,’ ‘march,’ and ’lunch.’

Today is the big day! Can you show Mum every single thing you can do? From stirring spice in the kitchen to watering a rose, from scrubbing suds to clipping clothes on the line, there’s so much to share. But when Mum brings out the bike, will a wobbly tummy win, or will it be time to glide with pride? A warm, cheerful story about growing up and showing off. This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘bike,’ ‘glide,’ ‘smile,’ and ‘pride.’

Have you ever waited and waited for someone special to arrive? Today is finally the day! My cousin Bo is here, and I have the best plan ever - we’ll race to the farm, lift heavy grain, try to catch a slippery fish with our bare hands, and find Nan at the market for a snack that tastes like magic. But what makes this day truly the best of all? This decodable reader practises open syllables in words like ‘go,’ ‘my,’ ‘sky,’ ’try,’ and ‘we.’

When Deb’s cat Sam digs up a very grumpy crab in the yard, what’s a kid to do? Pop it in a bucket, of course! But then come the babies - dozens of tiny, scuttling, sand-digging babies - and suddenly Deb has crabs going everywhere. Can she catch them all before they vanish into the dirt? This decodable reader practises open syllables in words like ‘by,’ ‘my,’ ‘go,’ ‘he,’ and ’try.’

Lily woke up with a big, squeezing belly-ache - and a heavy little monkey clinging to her back! He follows her everywhere: into the garden, into her dance practice, even into her tears. With the art festival just days away, how will Lily ever spin and leap with a monkey hanging on? Can Mum help her find the courage to shake him loose? This decodable reader practises short u with j, v, y in words like ‘jumps,’ ‘hug,’ ‘pluck,’ and ‘yup.’