Animal Books for 2nd Graders

Poor Caterpillar has lost his favourite shoe, and with so many feet to cover, one bare foot just will not do! Was it stolen? Did it wiggle away on its own? He asks Frog, Grasshopper, and Crab for help, but every shoe they offer is wrong in a new and wobbly way. Will he ever find the perfect fit? This decodable reader practises 3+ syllable words such as “caterpillar,” “yesterday,” “fortunately,” and “butterfly.”

Why is Tortoise flying through the sky with the birds, and what happens when he just can’t hold his tongue? Long ago, Tortoise had a smooth, perfect shell and a mouth that never stopped. When a drought sends the birds north to a great feast, clever Tortoise finds a way to join them high above the veld, if only he can stay silent. Will he manage it? This Bookbot EE level practises the /iː/ sound in words like ‘flee’, ’trees’, ‘speed’, ‘keep’ and ‘feels’.

Tik the mouse has found the perfect house - quiet, cosy, and empty. But when he tugs on a strange rubbery rope, something squeaks back! Who is this tiny round creature with big ears and a cord for a tail? Can it really be a mouse too? And when a huge cat comes padding through the door, will these two very different mice find a way to scare it off? This decodable reader practises the ‘ou’ sound in words like ’loud,’ ‘pounce,’ ‘shouts,’ and ‘proud.’

Zom the zombie has a brilliant plan - he’s going to march right up to the husks and make brand new friends! Surely they’ll love his big wave, his cactus gift, and his very cool camel, right? But when the husks suddenly react and race toward the beach, Zom discovers something awful waiting in the sand. Can one small zombie face eight husks alone? This decodable reader practises vowel team syllables in words such as ‘biome,’ ‘chaos,’ ‘quiet,’ ‘react,’ and ’triumph.’

Anansi is caught, and Leopard means to eat him at dusk. But how does one small spider outwit a hungry leopard guarding the only way out? When Anansi finds a bundle of fiery pepper in the den, a clever idea begins to spin. Can a whisper about seasoning and a leopard’s proud reputation buy enough time to escape? This Bookbot book practises reading longer words of three or more syllables, like ‘unfortunate’, ‘reputation’, ‘magnificent’, and ‘satisfaction’.

Dog has found a mysterious tin sitting in the middle of the floor - but what could be inside? A treat? A toy? When Dog tips it over, yellow paint goes everywhere, and soon Cat is splattered too! Can two very messy pets sneak past Pam on Art Day without ruining her beautiful blank canvas, or is disaster about to strike? This decodable reader practises suffixes through words like ‘gladly,’ ‘proudly,’ ‘swiftly,’ ‘breathless,’ and ‘painter.’

Joan’s little house sits by a quiet forest road, and she longs to explore the shadows beyond the trees. But when a white deer steps out of the woods and beckons her to follow, will she remember her mother’s warning? What wonders - and what dangers - wait along the path? Joan is about to find out she’s not alone in the forest. This decodable reader practises the ‘oa’ sound in words like ‘coat,’ ‘road,’ ‘roam,’ and ‘soaks.’

Ned thinks the forest is safe - until a pack of hungry wolves comes charging out of the shadows! Can a boy with nothing but a bag of bones really turn scary wolves into loyal friends? And when night falls and the zombies arrive, will his wild new plan actually work? Join Ned and his magic book for a howlingly fun adventure. This decodable reader practises VC/CV syllables in words like ‘rabbit,’ ‘forest,’ ‘happen,’ and ‘sudden.’

Deep in a dark cave, Ned’s metal armour sparkles as he swings his pickaxe, dreaming of treasure. But what happens when a little chest holds something stranger than gold - a floppy leather lump? And when Ned spots a beautiful white horse in a nearby stable, can he learn to be gentle enough to ride it, or will he tumble right off? This decodable reader practises the le/al/el/il phonogram in words like ‘apple,’ ‘saddle,’ ‘gentle,’ ‘metal,’ and ‘signal.’

Dog and Cat were the very best of friends - napping under the big tree, sharing meals, and batting their little ball back and forth. But when the people scoop Cat up to live inside the house, Dog is left alone in the yard. Can two friends find their way back to each other after angry words drive them apart? This decodable reader practises prefixes in words such as ‘dislike,’ ‘indoors,’ ‘retreat,’ ‘undone,’ and ‘unfair.’