Friendship Books for 1st Graders

Long ago, Sun and Moon lived in a fine hut with a door that never shut. When their oldest friend Water finally comes to visit, bringing tiny fish and rushing streams, will there be enough room for everyone? As the water rises higher and higher, where will these two kind hosts go? This joyful African folktale explains something you see every day. This Bookbot SH level practises the /ʃ/ sound with words like ‘fish’, ‘rush’, ‘gush’, ‘dash’, and ‘shine’.

Ned thinks the forest is his - until a pack of huge wolves comes racing after him! Can a boy with a bag of bones turn snarling beasts into loyal friends? And what happens when zombies come groaning out of the dark - will Ned face them alone, or will his new pack stand by his side? A thrilling adventure full of brave plans and close calls. This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘bone,’ ‘brave,’ ‘chase,’ ‘prize,’ and ‘wise.’

Chip and Pip are the very best of chums - until one big day changes everything between them. Why is Chip suddenly so cross? Why won’t Pip come back to their cosy spot by the branch? When friends say the wrong words, can they ever find the right ones again? Curl up with this gentle tale of two pals who just might need each other more than they know. This decodable reader practises the ch sound in words like ‘chum,’ ‘branch,’ ‘munch,’ and ‘catch.’

Zom the zombie is tired of neighbours who only groan about brains - he wants a REAL friend! When he hears a buzz and finds a golden hive humming in a birch tree, he’s sure he’s struck friendship gold. But will shaking the tree to say hello really bring the bees out to play? And what happens when a swarm with fangs comes zinging after him? This decodable reader practises the ’ng’ phonogram in words such as ‘sing,’ ‘spring,’ ‘hangs,’ ‘wings,’ and ‘sting.’

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.’

Prince Din wants the biggest leaf ball in the kingdom - but the best leaves grow in the wild forest, where dangerous creatures are said to lurk! When a huge striped cat comes bounding out of the bushes, Din bolts deeper into the trees and gets horribly lost. Is that tiger really chasing him, or could something stranger be going on? This decodable reader practises short u with j, v, y in words like ‘jumps,’ ’luck,’ ‘plums,’ and ‘stuck.’

Diya knows more about butterflies than anyone in her school - but she’s far too shy to say a word. Then, on a class trip to the park, a fat striped caterpillar inches right past her feet, and fourteen facts bubble up to the tip of her tongue. Could one tiny creature help Diya finally find her voice? This decodable reader practises silent e words like ‘smile,’ ‘glide,’ ‘gaze,’ and ’tale.’

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.’

Jack has never caught a fish - not once! But when he casts his wobbly branch-rod off the dock, what on earth tugs back? Something green, something grumpy, something that is definitely NOT a fish. Could a pumpkin boy and a mermaid really become friends? And what happens when the sun starts sinking on their silly, splashy adventure? This decodable reader practises the ‘wh’ phonogram in words like ‘what,’ ‘whirl,’ ‘whines,’ and ‘whale.’

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.’