Family Books for 2nd Graders

Don has finally found the perfect blue cap at the market - but what happens when a sneaky gust of wind snatches it right off his head? The cap sails over the bushes, gets stuck in the branches, and lands somewhere Don never expected. Can he ever get it back, or has his treasure been claimed by someone much bigger and brighter? A warm, funny story about letting go and finding new friends. This decodable reader practises es plurals in words like ‘bushes,’ ‘branches,’ ‘catches,’ and ‘wishes.’

When Pip and Tom spot a pile of paint pots sitting in the garden, they beg the painters to let them help. Can two excited children really be trusted with brushes, buckets, and a whole garden gate? What happens when Pip decides one gate just isn’t enough, and bold stripes start marching across the wall? This decodable reader practises VC/CV syllables in words such as “summer,” “bucket,” “garden,” “problem,” and “mistake.”

Tim would rather shoot hoops than tackle his letters - and honestly, who wouldn’t? But those tricky B’s and D’s keep playing sneaky tricks on him every single time he picks up a pencil. Can Dad’s old wooden board help Tim finally figure out the alphabet? What secret trick did Grandpa pass down to beat those wobbly letters? Grab a basketball and find out! This decodable reader practises words with prefixes, including ’explain,’ ‘defeat,’ ‘redo,’ ‘rewrite,’ and ‘unlike.’

There’s a cheeky little mouse on the loose, and Gran is standing on the couch! Can Mum’s broom catch it? Will the cat even bother to try? As the whole family ends up squished under the bed hiding from one tiny, grinning troublemaker, something surprising happens - the baby claps and giggles at their furry visitor. Could a mouse in the house actually be fun? This decodable reader practises the ‘ou’ sound in words like ‘mouse,’ ‘house,’ ’loud,’ ‘round,’ and ‘proud.’

What do you make when you want to create something truly brilliant but have no idea where to start? Join one young artist as they gather scissors, pencils, and paint, then visit Dad, Mum, Gran, and Pop for help. Each one shares a different kind of magic - but could the real answer be hiding in all of them at once? This decodable reader practises VC/CV syllables in words like ‘rabbit,’ ‘garden,’ ‘yellow,’ ’lesson,’ and ‘perfect.’

Gran has a plan to make the best coconut bars in the whole world - but will they ever actually be done? From climbing trees and cracking husks to cranking, stirring, and baking, every step is harder than the last. Can one determined kid stick with Gran through all the pulling, puffing, and “we are NOT done” moments to reach that first sweet bite? This decodable reader practises the ‘ie’ phonogram in words like ’tied,’ ‘spied,’ ‘flies,’ ‘piece,’ and ’tries.’

Little Fish is tired of the same sandy floor, the same boring rocks, the same shallow sea every single day. What wonders might be hiding in the deeper water below? When he sneaks off while his mother’s back is turned, he finds glittering coral, curious crabs - and something far, far scarier resting on the ocean floor. Can Little Fish find his way back to safety? This decodable reader practises suffixes in words like ‘kindly,’ ‘boldly,’ ‘deeper,’ ‘faster,’ and ‘bravely.’

Jan’s birthday is today, and it’s going to be the best one ever - if everyone can pull off the surprise in time! Mum’s baking, Dad’s puffing up balloons, Grandma’s stitching, and Grandpa has something extra special waiting. But when it’s Tim’s turn to carry the gifts, will he wobble? Will he tumble? Can he make it to the party room without dropping a thing? This decodable reader practises the ‘oo’ sound in words like ‘soon,’ ’look,’ ‘zoom,’ and ‘smooth.’

Drip, drop! Have you ever tipped your face up to the sky and let the rain tickle your cheeks? When a sudden shower turns the garden into a world of sparkle, one little girl races outside to catch every drop. From a peacock on the path to Mum’s rainy-day soup, what magic will the rain leave behind? A decodable reader practising the le/al/el/il endings in words like ’little,’ ‘sparkle,’ ‘gentle,’ ‘signal,’ and ‘crystal.’

One perfect purple-and-gold towel, one big gust of wind, and suddenly everyone in town seems to want a turn! Who will grab it first when it sails off the washing line? Why does Dawn hug it so tight, and what on earth is Paul doing with it on the porch? Can our little hero ever get that precious towel back? This decodable reader practises the aw/au phonogram in words like ‘dawn,’ ‘saw,’ ‘yawn,’ and ‘shawl.’