Free Books for 1st Graders
I Chase Dad!
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.'
Kaa Sings a Strong Song!
Kaa’s land is dry, dry, dry, and no matter how loudly he sings up at the sky, not a single raindrop falls. Then - BANG! BANG! BANG! - something huge comes stomping down the trail. Who could it be, and could a new friend’s booming voice be just what Kaa’s rain song needs? Grab your hat and find out! This decodable reader practises the ng sound in words like ‘bang,’ ‘bring,’ ’long,’ ‘sing,’ and ‘strong.’
Lost in the Grass!
When Monkey wakes up with a rumbly tummy and a big plan for a banana breakfast, he gets the shock of his life - his bananas are GONE! Who could the sneaky thief be? Was it the little bee? The hissy snake? And who is that plump rabbit sitting on the grass with a suspicious yellow pile? Can Monkey solve the mystery before his tummy grumbles right off the tree? This decodable reader practises CCVC/CCVCC blends in words like ‘grins,’ ‘stomps,’ ‘plump,’ and ‘grass.’
Pip and the Lost Nuts
Pip the squirrel has stashed forty-nine nuts all over Butternut Hill, ready for winter - but when she checks her secret spots, every single nut has vanished! Who would take them? The buzzing bees? A sneaky fly? Her kind friend Liz? Pip is determined to solve the mystery, even if it means tumbling out of a tree or two along the way. Could the answer be hiding somewhere she never thought to look? This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘hive,’ ‘chase,’ ‘dome,’ and ‘smile.’
Who Made the Lamps Blink?
The festival night glows pink and gold, until something grumpy up in the sky decides nighttime belongs to IT - and starts flicking switches all over town! One by one, houses go dark, streetlights blink out, and even the carnival falls silent. Who is turning off the lights, and can anyone stop them before a little rowboat drifts into danger? This decodable reader practises the ’nk’ sound in words like ‘blink,’ ‘pink,’ ‘sink,’ and ’think.’
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.’
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.’
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.’