Nature Books for 1st Graders

Who wakes the farm before the sun even peeks over the hill? Why does the brave dog stand guard with such a fierce snarl, and what tiny note is that pigeon carrying across the sky? From busy bees zipping to the hive to camels pacing past golden dunes, everyone has a job to do - but who works the hardest of all? This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘brave,’ ‘chase,’ ‘hive,’ ‘smile,’ and ’thrive.’

Have you ever stared at a frog and wondered if it’s staring right back? Every day, our curious narrator plays a secret game - catching the eye of a grinning cyclist, a stubborn cow who won’t budge, a sleepy cat on the gate, and tiny fireflies that glow like whispered secrets. But when night falls and the stars start to shimmer, could someone far, far away be playing the very same game? This decodable reader explores the ‘sh’ sound with words like ‘dash,’ ‘flash,’ ‘shine,’ and ‘wish.’

Jack loves his farm, but something is missing - where are all the bees, birds, and bats? When Jack hauls up a hive and flings seeds across the grass, the buzzing and chirping begins. But bats are tricky critters whose homes are hard to find. What can a clever scarecrow build to bring them in, and which spot will feel just right for a sleepy bat? This decodable reader practises the ‘wh’ phonogram in words such as ‘what,’ ‘when,’ ‘which,’ ‘while,’ and ‘whose.’

Meet Cuckoo, a clever bird who can fly higher than hawks and balance on the thinnest twig - but there’s one thing she simply cannot do. Her call has vanished! Where could it have gone? Has she lost it in the meadow, the farm, or the forest? Will Cuckoo ever find her voice again? This decodable reader practises the th sound in words like ’this,’ ’them,’ ’there,’ and ’thump.'

Mum said don’t follow that butterfly - but how can Nell resist when a flash of blue flits down the path ahead? What will she find in the deep, wild jungle: pink snakes, chimps in the trunk, or something far more dangerous? And when trouble slinks closer, can she make it back home? This decodable reader practises the ’nk’ sound with words like ‘pink,’ ‘sank,’ ‘shrank,’ ‘slunk,’ and ’think.’

Drip, drop - can you feel the rain on your nose? When the sky opens up, one girl throws her arms wide and dances in every splash. There’s music on the roof, a peacock on the path, and something warm bubbling in Mum’s pot. What wonderful surprises will the rain leave behind once it finally quiets down? This decodable reader practises CCVC/CCVCC blends through words like ‘drip,’ ‘plops,’ ‘grin,’ ‘stands,’ and ‘smells.’

May the fairy has one simple job: fly through the garden and pick her very favourite flower. Easy, right? But wait - which bloom is truly the best? The sunny daisies? The pinky-pink roses? That mysterious red bloom no one has ever seen? Even the bees can’t agree, and a zippy little bee keeps buzzing, ‘Pick one already!’ Can May ever choose just one? This cheerful decodable reader practises open syllables in words like ‘fly,’ ‘go,’ ’try,’ ‘why,’ and ‘me.’

High up in the sky, thousands of tiny raindrops are jostling at the edge of a grumpy cloud, ready for the wildest race ever. Who will splash down first? Who will reach the sea? And what happens when the hot sun starts to shine on the winners? Tumble down hills, rush through rivers, and discover a surprise twist that turns the whole race upside down! This decodable reader practises the ’th’ sound in words like ’thick,’ ’thin,’ ’thud,’ and ’through.'

Manta Ray is the greatest navigator in the sea - or so he says! But when a sudden storm flings him far from his coral, his caves, and his favourite sandy shortcuts, can he find his way back? Who will help a lost ray in strange blue water, and what sparkling surprise is waiting near the lighthouse beam? Dive in and find out! This decodable reader practises the ’nk’ sound in words like ‘blink,’ ‘pink,’ ‘sinks,’ ’thanks,’ and ’think.’

Meet Hank - a fish who does NOT just swim in circles! Ever heard of a fish who walks on land, naps in mud, and shrugs off hungry birds with a back full of sharp spines? When the pond dries up and his friends flop in the cracked gunk, what on earth will Hank do next? Climb aboard for a muddy, rainy, rule-breaking adventure. This decodable reader practises the nk phonogram in words like ‘bank,’ ‘drink,’ ’think,’ ‘sunk,’ and ‘wink.’