SEL Books for 1st Graders

Behind the pink curtains, a puppeteer is ready for the perfect show - but what happens when the wrong backdrop turns a fancy lady’s quiet evening into a jungle adventure? With a huge tiger on the loose and a calm doctor who refuses to panic, can anyone convince the Rich Lady to run? Kids will giggle as every plan goes delightfully sideways. This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘hide,’ ‘cute,’ ‘shine,’ ‘smile,’ and ‘wide.’

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.’

The Baobab drops its fruit for everyone who asks politely, and there is always enough to share. But when a greedy hyena named Fisi decides he wants all of it before dawn, will his shouting and scheming get him a single pod? Can a clever girl and a patient tree teach him that you cannot steal what is freely given? Find out what Fisi finally learns. This story practises the /ŋ/ sound with words like ’long’, ‘bring’, ’thing’, ‘fangs’, and ‘springs’.

The waterhole was cool and clear, shared by every animal on the plain, until huge Tembo the Elephant stomped up and claimed it all for himself. How could clever little Sungura the Hare stand up to someone so enormous? When the biggest animal refuses to share, what plan could a tiny hare possibly hatch? Read on to find out how brains can beat brawn! This Bookbot book practises the /k/ sound, with lesson words like ‘back’, ‘quick’, ‘rock’, ‘sticks’, and ’trick’.

Out past the last road, in a little cabin in the woods, Cam has a good little lamp that helps him chase frogs and read stories after dark. But what happens when bright electric lights arrive and Cam forgets all about his faithful flame? Will the lonely little lamp ever shine again? Snuggle in and find out why some friends glow brightest when you need them most. This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘brave,’ ‘flame,’ ‘home,’ ‘safe,’ and ‘while.’

Greedy Gĩcere the hyena grabs every meal in the valley, so what happens when clever rabbit Mwĩrĩ sets a sealed pot bubbling on the fire? She says a sealed pot cooks the sweetest, and one pot means one rule. But can a hungry hyena really wait? Will he keep his paws off before the lid comes free? This Bookbot SH story practises the /ʃ/ sound with words like ‘shut’, ‘push’, ‘shake’, ‘splash’, and ‘blushes’.

Habtamu the weaver loves nothing more than breathing in the delicious smells drifting from his rich neighbour’s kitchen. But when greedy Bekele drags him to court demanding payment for a smell he never touched, how can a poor man with only three coins in his pocket possibly win? What clever twist will the wise old judge deliver? This Bookbot NK story practises the /ŋk/ sound with lesson words like ‘bank’, ‘sink’, ’think’, ’thank’, and ‘wink’.

Blue Train has a secret - every night, when the station is dark, he zooms past cacti and races under stars so bright they look like pinpricks in the sky. But what happens when he flies too far and finds himself lost in a strange forest with scowling trees and a very purple elephant? Can a boy with a flute help him find the way home? This decodable reader practises open syllables in words like ‘by,’ ‘cry,’ ‘fly,’ and ’try.’

High in her messy workshop, Lila is painting something extraordinary - trees that sway, clouds that doze, and a sprite tucked among the vines. But something is missing! Down in the paint box, little Yellow is trembling. Will he be squeezed flat like the others? Can he be brave enough to share his glow? Peek inside and find out what happens next. This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘brave,’ ‘shine,’ ’lake,’ ‘hide,’ and ‘shapes.’

Mia spots Lily’s brand new jacket just hanging there - and it looks SO cool. What could go wrong with trying it on for one tiny second? But when art class ends in a splatter of red, green, and orange paint, Mia panics and hides the jacket in the strangest spot ever. Can she fix the mess before Lily finds out? This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘hide,’ ‘make,’ ’nice,’ ‘shape,’ and ‘smiles.’