SEL Books for 1st Graders

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.’

Poor Tire! He’s tired of the bumpy car, he’s squished flat by a huge truck, and he’s way too wide for a boy’s bike. Everywhere he rolls, he just doesn’t fit. Will he ever find the perfect place to belong? Could a kind boy with a big idea change everything? Bounce along on this bumpy, funny adventure and find out! This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘bike,’ ‘came,’ ‘huge,’ ‘ride,’ and ‘smile.’

Diane is the proudest litterbug around - until one morning, a stinky, buzzing cloud of rubbish appears above her bed and refuses to leave! What happens when the trash cloud follows her to school in front of all her friends? Can a lonely girl and one brave little rat figure out how to make the mess disappear before it swallows the whole park? This decodable reader practises the ’th’ sound in words like ’thank,’ ’that,’ ’think,’ and ‘with.’

Every night, Frog gazes up at the glowing stars and dreams of holding just one in his tiny hands. But stars are awfully high, and Frog is awfully small - so how will he ever reach them? Will climbing the tallest palm tree do the trick, or could the real magic be hiding somewhere much closer to home? Join Frog on a brave, starry-eyed adventure! This decodable reader practises the nk phonogram with words like ‘pink,’ ‘blink,’ ‘yank,’ ’trunk,’ and ’thank.’

Tig loves her quiet pond - no noisy pals, no fuss, just sunshine and snacks… or so she thinks. But when she tries to grab a mouse, a fawn, and a whole herd of deer, every creature bolts before she can blink. Why does everyone run from Tig? And when the forest goes silent, will she still want to be all alone? This decodable reader practises the ’th’ sound in words like ’this,’ ’them,’ ‘path,’ and ’through.’

Lily woke up with a big, squeezing belly-ache - and a heavy little monkey clinging to her back! He follows her everywhere: into the garden, into her dance practice, even into her tears. With the art festival just days away, how will Lily ever spin and leap with a monkey hanging on? Can Mum help her find the courage to shake him loose? This decodable reader practises short u with j, v, y in words like ‘jumps,’ ‘hug,’ ‘pluck,’ and ‘yup.’

Ned has built the best beehive ever, and the honey inside is the yummiest thing he has ever tasted! But what happens when Ned eats honey for breakfast, honey for lunch, and honey on EVERYTHING in between? Why is his tummy grumbling like a grumpy bullfrog, and what strange dream waits for him when he finally falls asleep? Will Ned ever listen to The Book? This decodable reader focuses on the ’th’ sound in words like ’thanks,’ ’thumps,’ ’thud,’ and ’three.'

Pep the bird has ENORMOUS plans for the village parade, and he is absolutely, definitely a genius - just ask him! But when a giant paint spill turns his wall into a masterpiece, Pep gets a dangerous idea. Why stop at one cart when he could paint every house in the village? Will his neighbours cheer, or will they chase him up the hill? This decodable reader practises the th sound in words such as ’this,’ ’them,’ ’these,’ ’they,’ and ’thinks.'

Poor Pokey just wants a snug spot to sleep, but everywhere he goes, the other cats shout “No room!” Can one soggy little cat find somewhere warm before the storm rolls in? And when lightning cracks the sky and those same grumpy cats come running for help, what will Pokey do? A cosy, rainy-night tale about kindness when it matters most. This decodable reader practises short u with j, v, y in words like ‘jumps,’ ‘hut,’ ‘snug,’ ‘yelps,’ and ‘us.’

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.’