Free Friendship Books for 1st Graders
We believe every child deserves free access to quality reading materials that nurture a lifelong love of learning. Discover free friendship books for 1st graders ages 5-6. Our free children’s books feature best friends, kindness, and sharing perfect for beginning readers. Download free story books PDF or read childrens books online free.
Go, Squad, Go!
Five kids, one dog, and zero chance of losing - at least, that’s what the squad promised before the championship match. But when the other team’s bus rolls up and out steps the biggest, most serious squad anyone has ever seen, can teamwork really beat pure power? Will one brave gang of friends find a way to score? Lace up your boots and find out! This decodable reader practises the ’ng’ sound in words like ‘strong,’ ‘sprang,’ ‘flings,’ and ‘rings.’
Grab My Hand!
Jojo spots a boy juggling a football on the other side of the fence - clink, clunk, tap! Can Jojo keep up with this speedy new friend? And when trouble suddenly rolls into the road, will Jojo be quick enough to help? A warm playground tale of football, friendship, and finding your own way to say hello. This decodable reader practises the ’nk’ sound in words like ‘blinks,’ ‘clunk,’ ‘honk,’ and ‘pink.’
Crow, Stop Singing!
Crow has a big plan - he’s going to WOW the animals with his amazing singing voice! But when he opens his beak, Hank, Pink, and Frank bolt away in a blink. Was his song really that bad? Can Crow find a way to win his chums back, or will he sing alone forever? Hop onto the stage and find out what happens when Crow hands over the microphone! This decodable reader practises the nk sound in words like ‘blink,’ ’thank,’ ‘clunk,’ and ’trunk.’
Tip Must Find It!
Tip’s nose wakes her up one snowy morning, and something in the air smells wild and new! But wait - is that a sweeter scent drifting past the snowman? Warm, spicy, and absolutely delicious? Tip simply must find out where it’s coming from! Can her twitchy nose lead her to the mystery treat? And why is Brat Cat grinning like she knows a secret? This decodable reader practises open syllables in words such as ‘by,’ ‘go,’ ‘he,’ ‘my,’ and ‘she.’
Pests!
What happens when Skel the skeleton gets tired of cleaning up after his messy housemates? When Zom and Jack refuse to lift a finger, the muck piles up thick and fast - and soon something starts scuttling in the shadows. Will the boys learn their lesson before the bugs take over the whole shack? A funny, creepy-crawly tale about mess, friendship, and pitching in. This decodable reader practises the ck sound in words like ‘brick,’ ‘muck,’ ‘snack,’ and ‘whack.’
Lost in the Sad Mist
When the rain starts falling on a sunny day, Brown Rabbit knows something is wrong. Can you hear the sad song drifting down with every raindrop? Who could be so heartbroken that even the clouds begin to cry? Bee, Bird, and Rabbit set off on a brave little journey to follow the music and find the one who needs them most - but will they be in time to help? This decodable reader practises VCC/CVCC words such as ‘wept,’ ‘wind,’ ‘mist,’ ‘held,’ and ‘fast.’
Gad Hits It!
Meet Gad, the friendliest ghost in the forest - green skin, cheeky grin, and absolutely no one to play with! When he spots a group of kids having fun in the park, Gad is sure he’s found his new best friends. But will they run away screaming, or will a silly cat, a clever disguise, and a very bouncy volleyball game change everything? This decodable reader practises VC/CVC short vowels through words like ‘Gad,’ ’lad,’ ‘cat,’ ‘ran,’ and ‘hid.’
Fig Pig in the Mist
When Fig Pig spots a tall, glowy-eyed enderman lurking in the damp mist outside the cave, his knees shake - but his curiosity is bigger than his fear. Why is the enderman so sad? Why does it carry off blocks like treasure? Why does it scream into the dark? Join Fig Pig and Sam as they tiptoe closer to find out the truth behind those purple eyes. This decodable reader practises VCC/CVCC words such as ‘and,’ ‘damp,’ ‘felt,’ ‘held,’ and ‘fast.’
The Thing in the Cave!
Deep in a dark cave, Steve spots something pink with a huge, goofy grin swimming up through the water. What is this strange little creature, and why won’t it leave his side? As Steve takes his new friend home, could there be another glowing pet waiting back in the cave? Will two be better than one? This decodable reader practises the ’th’ sound in words such as ’that,’ ’then,’ ’there,’ ’thick,’ and ’thanks.'
Jill Has a Grand Plan
Jill has a grand plan - a quest into the Nether! Can Mage, Doc, and Jill gather what they need for the trip? Will Jill really trot across lava on a Strider’s back, or can clever thinking save the day? With a grin and a zest for adventure, the friends set off on a journey they will never forget. This decodable reader practises CCVC/CCVCC blends in words like ‘plan,’ ‘grin,’ ‘quest,’ and ‘blasts.’
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are friendship stories good for 1st graders?
Friendship stories feature situations 5- and 6-year-olds encounter every day — making friends, sharing, and resolving small disagreements. Research shows that social-themed picture books significantly improve prosocial behaviour in young children (Li et al., 2025), and familiar, relatable themes help hold a beginning reader’s attention.
How do these free books support reading practice?
Each friendship book uses decodable text matched to 1st grade phonics patterns, so children genuinely sound out the words rather than guessing. Stanovich (1986) found that children who read more develop stronger vocabularies and fluency — and stories about topics they care about make that practice feel less like work. For more ideas, see our guide on engaging reluctant readers.
What formats are these free friendship books available in?
All books are free to read on the Bookbot website. Many also include PDF downloads, and select titles offer a read-aloud feature with word-by-word highlighting that follows along with the text.
What reading levels are available for 1st grade friendship books?
The books range from basic CVC words (like cat, sit, hug) through consonant blends and digraphs — covering the phonics skills typically taught in first grade. You can filter by reading level to find a book that matches your child’s current ability.