Funny Books for 2nd Graders

It’s Lisa’s birthday, and her parents have promised her a pet - but what kind will it be? An elephant is too stompy, a crocodile too snappy, and a skunk? Far too smelly! Will Lisa ever find the perfect birthday surprise, or is every animal in the world just a little bit wrong for her hilltop home? Join her hunt for a furry best friend! This decodable reader practises VC/CV syllables in words such as ‘birthday,’ ‘hilltop,’ ‘puppy,’ ‘sudden,’ and ’trumpet.’

Alex grabs her shovel and heads for the hillside, certain something special is hiding deep underground. But what will she find as she digs a tunnel down, down, down? A shiny jewel? A tasty morsel? And while she’s busy swinging her pickaxe below, could a nimble thief be sneaking around up on the grass? This decodable reader practises le/al/el/il words such as ‘shovel,’ ‘bundle,’ ‘scramble,’ and ‘sparkle.’

When Dad comes home with bags bursting with colourful fruit and veg, Girl grabs her sketchpad quick - can she draw it all before dinner? Tomatoes and cucumbers sit still so nicely, but what happens when she tries to sketch Cat, who won’t stop slinking across the floor? Will her pencil ever catch such a wiggly subject? This decodable reader practises words with prefixes such as ‘unpack,’ ‘redo,’ ‘inspect,’ ‘dislikes,’ and ‘remake.’

Steve dug too deep, and now something is flapping right behind him in the dark! Can he outrun the screeching bats, leap across a pit, and hide in water so still that nothing hears a peep? With his pickaxe swinging and his armour rattling, this brave miner is in for the chase of his life - but what waits beyond the cave? This decodable reader practises the ’ee’ sound in words like ‘deep,’ ‘feet,’ ‘flee,’ ‘green,’ and ’trees.’

A new Mage has moved in down the street, and Jill is not impressed. First her chicken is walking on its head. Then her sheep turn blue, green, and spotty! What will this cheeky Mage magic next - and can Jill protect her farm before he meddles with everything she owns? Join Jill as she stomps, sighs, and stands her ground. This decodable reader practises the aw/au phonogram in words like ‘saw,’ ‘fault,’ ‘jaw,’ ‘paws,’ and ’taunt.’

What lies beyond the flower fields Ned calls home? With his magic book floating beside him, Ned sets off to find out - and stumbles upon a bustling village full of curious folk, a giant iron figure, and a friendly trader with two llamas. What treasures will the villagers offer for Ned’s wheat and coal? And what shiny green items might he find along the way? This decodable reader practises 2-syllable open words such as ‘cosy,’ ’tiny,’ ‘open,’ and ‘robot.’

Ned has built a wall, a gate, and even a moat - but what happens when spiders climb, skeletons shoot arrows, and creepers go BOOM? The Book says he needs a guard: a giant iron golem with a pumpkin for a head! Can Ned really grow a head in the dirt? And will his lumpy iron creation ever come to life? This decodable reader practises words with prefixes such as ‘defeat,’ ‘defend,’ ‘insert,’ and ‘unreal.’

Tip has a brand new plan: become the village’s ace reporter! But when the stone mason’s hammer makes him jump, his map looks suspiciously like a potato, and the armourer’s forge produces something shiny and sharp, will Tip ever fill a single page of his notebook? Can a scared little reporter still find the story of a lifetime? This decodable reader practises the ’ew’ phonogram in words like ’new,’ ‘flew,’ ‘drew,’ and ‘stew.’

Deep in the steamy jungle, where moist soil meets twisting vines, there lives a giant red flower named Rafa - and oh, does she have a smell! The roses say her spots spoil the view. The butterflies zoom right past without a glance. So why is Rafa still grinning with joy, puffing up her petals and calling out in her happiest voice? Could stinky really be special? This decodable reader practises the oi/oy phonogram in words such as ‘joy,’ ‘voice,’ ‘moist,’ ‘spoil,’ and ‘point.’

From a sheet-castle with Jen to bike rides with Grandad, bedtime stories with Nan, and a backyard full of seedlings, this little narrator has a LOT of people to love. But what happens when a helpful watering job goes hilariously sideways? Who ends up dripping wet, still clutching a bundle of yellow flowers? This decodable reader practises the le/al/el/il pattern in words like ‘castle,’ ‘sprinkle,’ ‘uncle,’ and ‘gentle.’