Friendship Books for 2nd Graders

Ted is heading to Ava’s birthday party, and he knows every step of the way - even though he cannot see. But when his neighbour Kim follows closely behind, worrying about every puddle and barking dog, can Ted show her that smells, sounds, and a trusty cane are all he needs? How does he find his way so boldly? Step along and find out! This decodable reader practises suffixes in words such as ‘boldly,’ ‘calmly,’ ‘proudly,’ ‘friendship,’ and ‘roughness.’

On the night of the big parade, Abi has one job: stay beside Kobi, the tiny white buffalo calf who trusts him more than anyone. But the crowd is loud, the lanterns are bright, and Abi’s stomach is rumbling louder than the cheers. What happens when a promise meets a plate of hot food? Can Abi find his little friend before it’s too late? This decodable reader practises the ’ew’ sound in words like ‘chew,’ ‘drew,’ ‘flew,’ and ‘knew.’

Pip the squirrel has tucked away forty-nine nuts for winter - but when she checks her secret stash, every single nut has vanished! Who could have taken them? The bluebird says no. The bees say no. Even a passing fly won’t help. Can Pip’s friend Liz help her work out what really happened before the first snowfall arrives? This decodable reader practises compound words such as ‘armchair,’ ‘beehive,’ ‘snowfall,’ ‘weekday,’ and ‘woodwork.’

Meet the squad - five kids, one dog, and zero chance of losing! At least, that’s what they tell everyone before the big championship match. But when the other team’s bus pulls up and out steps the biggest, tallest, most serious-looking squad ever, can our heroes really back up their big talk? With a speedy runner, a tricky dribbler, and a header who practises every lunchtime, this team has skills - but will teamwork be enough? This decodable reader practises es plurals in words like ‘dashes,’ ‘rushes,’ ‘catches,’ and ‘matches.’

Deep in a glowing cave, Steve spots something he’s never seen before - two grinning little creatures blinking up at him from a hidden pool! Who are these soggy new friends, and will they like the cosy pond Steve builds back home? Can one explorer really become an axolotl expert overnight? Join Steve for a squishy, splashy adventure full of surprises. This decodable reader practises le/al/el/il endings in words such as ’little,’ ‘puddle,’ ‘gentle,’ ‘sparkle,’ and ‘wriggle.’

A little bird has just flown into a brand-new town, and he doesn’t know a soul! Can he make friends by lending a wing to a fly-bothered rhino, a toothache-y croc, a giraffe with a stick stuck in his fur, and a hungry zebra on lion watch? And when his new pals finally offer to help HIM back, what on earth will he ask for? This cheerful decodable reader practises words with prefixes such as ‘invite,’ ‘detect,’ ‘dismiss,’ ‘unwell,’ and ‘reward.’

Kalulu the hare watches Nzou the giant elephant drive every other thirsty animal off the last green meadow. But how can a small, quiet hare outwit the loudest, proudest beast along the great river? When Kalulu proposes a contest and Nzou booms his easy agreement, who really holds the cleverer plan? A tale of wit, fairness, and knowing when to ask for help. This Bookbot story practises two syllable words split between two vowels, with lesson words like ‘giant’, ‘quiet’, ‘prior’, and ’triumph’.

Drew is sure he can race to the brook and back before dinner - easy! But when the wind picks up, the mist rolls in, and the forest turns dark and full of strange snaps and cracks, will a quick shortcut turn into a scary night up an old elm tree? Can a warm golden glow lead four friends safely home? This decodable reader practises the ’ew’ sound in words like ‘drew,’ ‘blew,’ ‘knew,’ ‘flew,’ and ‘phew.’

Fish has decided he is done being a fish. Swimming is boring, bubbles are boring, and being wet all the time feels deeply unfair! So when a grinning cat by the shore claims to be his biggest fan, Fish can hardly believe his luck. But is this cat really the friend he’s been hoping for, or is something fishy going on? This decodable reader practises words with prefixes, including “dislike,” “misfit,” “pretend,” “return,” and “unsure.”

Red loves swimming, looping, and munching the greenest weeds in his cool, cool pond - until something BIG shows up in the reeds with rows and rows of sharp teeth! Can Red and his little pals out-swim the Big Bad Fish? Will they find a clever way to shoo him off for good? Zoom into the pond and find out! This decodable reader practises the ‘oo’ sound in words like ‘food,’ ‘moon,’ ’look,’ ‘zoom,’ and ‘soon.’