Free Music Books for 1st Graders
We believe every child deserves free access to quality reading materials that nurture a lifelong love of learning. Discover free music books for 1st graders ages 5-6. Our free children’s books feature instruments, songs, and rhythm perfect for beginning readers. Download free story books PDF or read childrens books online free.
His Big Gig
Pang the cicada has the biggest job of his life - conducting the Dry Season Concert for the whole forest! His wings tremble, his knees wobble, and his glasses keep sliding down his nose. Can he get the choir to sing in tune? And what happens when something very wet and very unexpected starts falling from the sky at a DRY season concert? A decodable reader practising open syllables in words like ‘be,’ ‘fly,’ ‘my,’ ’try,’ and ‘we.’
Chip and the Sky Band
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.’
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.’
Sing It, Bug!
Spring has sprung, and Bug has a fizzy, buzzy feeling in her belly - she wants to SING! But what happens when Duck’s song is too wet, Frog’s is too long, and Big Bird’s is far too loud? Can one tiny bug really find a song of her very own, and will the whole gang ever learn to sing together? This decodable reader practises the ’ng’ sound in words like ‘sing,’ ‘song,’ ’long,’ ‘strong,’ and ‘spring.’
She Still Twirls
Miss B walks with a cane now, tapping the studio floor while her three young dancers leap and twirl. But what if their gentle teacher once floated across stages in Paris, Tokyo, and New York? What if the quiet woman with the clackety cane hides a dazzling secret? Could a prima ballerina be hiding in plain sight? Step into the studio and find out. This decodable reader practises CCVC/CCVCC blends through words like ‘spin,’ ’twirl,’ ‘dress,’ ‘claps,’ and ‘stars.’
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.’
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.’
Hush! Don't Wake It!
Bam thinks his flute music is the sweetest sound on the beach - so sweet it could calm the whole ocean. But what happens when he plays a little louder, just to see? Something huge is sleeping deep beneath the bay, and one wrong note might wake it up. Can a boy with a flute hush a furious sea beast before the waves swallow the shore? This decodable reader practises the ‘sh’ sound in words like ‘hush,’ ‘shade,’ ‘shook,’ ‘shore,’ and ‘splash.’
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a connection between music and learning to read?
Yes. Gordon et al. (2015) found that musical rhythm perception is closely linked to phonological awareness — the ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words — which is a core skill for 1st grade readers. Rowe (2023) further showed that music-integrated literacy activities improve decoding in early grades. Our free music books let children explore instruments, songs, and rhythm while practising the very phonics patterns that benefit from that connection. For more on phonics foundations, see what is phonics?.
What formats are these free music books available in?
All music books on Bookbot 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 the text. Research on read-aloud with highlighting (Takacs & Bus, 2020) shows that combining audio with visual text cues strengthens word recognition in beginning readers.
What reading levels do the free music books cover?
The books span the full range of 1st grade phonics, from basic CVC words (like drum, hum, tap) through consonant blends and digraphs. You can filter by level to match your child’s current ability, and our scope and sequence page explains how the progression works.
How can music books help a child who resists reading practice?
When a topic genuinely excites a child, they are far more willing to work through unfamiliar words. Stanovich (1986) showed that even small increases in reading volume create a positive feedback loop of improved vocabulary and fluency. Music-themed books tap into that cycle by giving reluctant readers content they actually want to decode. See our tips on 8 ways to boost reading motivation for more strategies.