Animal Books for 3rd Graders

Chui the leopard is the most magnificent animal on the savanna, or so he believes. But when his plain gold coat shines against the bush and scares off every meal, what is a hungry hunter to do? Could the answer lie with an old painter and her pots of clay? This warm tale shows that what you truly are may be more than it seems. Level WR practises the ‘wr’ sound with lesson words like ‘wriggle’, ‘wrist’, ‘wrinkled’, ‘wretched’, and ‘wrong’.

Zom has a BIG plan - he’s going to be rich! All he needs is cows… lots and lots of cows. Brown ones make chocolate milk, white ones make vanilla, and that splashy pink one? Strawberry, obviously! But when three curious villagers come running in pursuit of the sweet smells, will Zom’s sneakiest new flavour win them over, or send them sprinting down the path? This decodable reader practises the ‘ui’ phonogram in words like ‘fruit,’ ‘juicy,’ ‘suit,’ and ‘recruited.’

Anansi the spider has a plan. The great fig tree drips with sweet fruit, but a swarm of hornets has claimed every last one, stinging anyone who dares come close. How can one small spider outwit a whole angry swarm and win back the figs for his hungry village? With a ‘wry’ grin and a clever trick, Anansi sets to work, while the hornets buzz with ‘wrath’ at his whispered words. This Bookbot level practises the ‘wr’ sound in words like ‘wrapped’, ‘wrangle’, and ‘wriggled’.

Jack the scarecrow is the world’s worst at scaring - but he’s determined to fill the farm with bees, birds, and bats! When his neighbour Zom asks for help with pesky mosquitoes, Jack sets out to build the cosiest, darkest hideaway any bat could dream of. But where do you put a bat box on a sunny, open farm? Will the bats ever come? This decodable reader practises the ’ei’ phonogram in words like ’eight,’ ‘height,’ ‘weight,’ ’neighbour,’ and ‘receive.’

There’s a naughty little mouse in the house, and nobody knows how to catch it! Grandma shrieks, Mum swings her broom, Dad hides behind the curtain, and even the cat refuses to help. Can one tiny, cheeky critter really outsmart a whole family? And when the baby giggles instead of screaming, could laughter be the secret to making a new friend? This decodable reader practises the ‘augh’ phonogram in words like ‘caught,’ ’naughty,’ ’laugh,’ and ’taught.’

Zom’s chickens keep vanishing, and a weird fox is to blame! He’s already lost eight hens to her sneaky night-time visits. Can new planks, a heavy gate, and express freight deliveries outsmart a clever thief? Or will Zom need a wilder plan - one that involves hiding in the weeds and feigning a monster at the top of his lungs? What will Zom discover out in the moonlight? This decodable reader practises the ’ei’ phonogram in words like ’eight,’ ‘freight,’ ‘height,’ and ‘weird.’

Dr Can Do’s furnace is always hungry, and the coal is nearly gone! Luckily, Jill has a bright idea - why not build a machine that grows and cuts bamboo all by itself? But just as the clever contraption is ready, a cheeky chicken hops right on top and starts pecking at the red stone. Can anything keep this feathery escape artist away? This decodable reader practises the soft c sound in words such as ‘face,’ ‘fence,’ ‘piece,’ and ’nice.’

The village bell is clanging, pillagers are swarming the hill, and Brat Cat’s wrist is trembling on her sword. Can one brave cat, two loyal wolves, and a grumpy iron golem really hold back wave after wave of raiders? And what happens when a snorting, tusked Ravager comes crashing through the trees with wrath in its eyes? You won’t believe who saves the day! This decodable reader practises the ‘wr’ sound in words like ‘wrist,’ ‘wrath,’ ‘wreak,’ and ‘wrong.’

Summer holidays are finally here, and Bon has BIG plans - water balloons, games, and no homework! But when Mum is busy, Dad rushes off to work, and Su ignores him completely, is this going to be the most boring summer ever? Just when Bon’s about to give up, a wild idea sparks involving the family parrot, a polka-dot hat, and a very special party. This decodable reader practises the ‘gn’ sound in words like ‘sign,’ ‘gnaws,’ ‘assigned,’ and ‘designing.’

Ned’s shiny new shed has everything a hero could want - stone walls, flaming torches, a crafting table - but no bed! Can he track down three fluffy sheep, snip enough wool, and finally get a proper night’s sleep? With his magic book guiding the way and a brand new pair of shears in hand, Ned sets off on a woolly adventure. But sheep are faster than they look - and a lot less keen on free haircuts! This decodable reader practises the ui phonogram in words like ‘bruise,’ ‘cruise,’ ‘fruit,’ and ‘pursuit.’