Bookbot Decodable Books: ai, ay

Walt sings to the sky every day, begging the clouds for rain on the dry, gray plain. But what happens when a giant, grinning dinosaur thumps down the trail and wants to join in? Can two loud voices and one silly song really call the clouds down to play? This decodable reader practices the ai/ay phonogram in words like ‘rain,’ ‘day,’ ‘plain,’ ’trail,’ and ‘sway.’

Why does Anansi the spider tie seven ropes around his round belly and sit waiting in the middle of the forest? When all seven villages call him to their feasts at once, what happens to a spider who simply cannot choose? A funny folktale about wanting it all. This book practices the /eɪ/ sound with words like ‘day’, ‘stay’, ‘waist’, ‘wait’, and ‘aid’.

What happens when the first raindrop lands right on your nose? A cheerful girl throws her arms wide and welcomes every drip and drop, dancing in the spray while a bird fans his tail, a peacock struts along the path, and Mom hums a tune inside. Can a rainy day really be the very best day of all? Come splash along and find out! This decodable reader practices the ai/ay phonogram with words like ‘day,’ ‘rain,’ ‘pail,’ ‘spray,’ and ‘stay.’

What can hair really do? Mine can block the sun like a giant umbrella, keep me warm as toast in the snow, hide a whole dog inside its curls, and even become a bird’s nest on dress-up day! My pup sticks close through every wild style, tangled adventure, and windy walk. But will I ever cut it short again? This decodable reader practices the ‘ai/ay’ sound in words such as ‘day,’ ‘play,’ ‘spray,’ ‘stray,’ and ’trails.’

Rose the sheep is heading home after a sunny summer on the hill - but wait, what’s this? A tiny new gate, and Rose is far too woolly to squeeze through! Yoga, running, swimming… her friends have ALL the advice. Can bendy poses or splashy laps really shrink a big, round sheep? Or is Rose thinking about this problem in completely the wrong way? This decodable reader practices the ai/ay phonogram through words like ‘day,’ ‘stay,’ ‘rain,’ ’nail,’ and ’trail.’

The sky above May’s town is gray, smoggy, and smelly - and she’s had enough! What if there’s real sunshine hiding up above the clouds? With a pile of gears, a wooden frame, and a head full of big ideas, May sets out to build a plane that can climb higher than the smog. But can a kid really fly all the way to the sun? This decodable reader practices the ai/ay phonogram in words like ‘day,’ ‘stay,’ ‘waits,’ and ’trail.’

Jill has a HUGE problem - stacks and stacks of cobblestone taking over her whole yard! The line at Dr Can Do’s stone-disposal bin is much too long, so Jill decides to build her very own. But can she really follow the tricky pattern all by herself? And what happens when her shiny new bin just sits there, silent as a stone? This decodable reader practices the ‘ai/ay’ phonogram with words like ‘day,’ ’trail,’ ‘waits,’ and ‘fail.’

Deep in the bay swims a cod who is far too quick, far too clever, and far too sneaky for any fisherman to catch. Every single one has given up - except Steve. But Steve has no rod, no net, and no bait. How on earth will he catch the fastest fish on the coast? Could a little pail washed in by the tide save the day? This decodable reader practices the ai/ay phonogram with words like ‘bait,’ ‘pail,’ ‘stay,’ and ‘spray.’

Have you ever wandered across the wide, green plains of Minecraft? Cows munch grass, pigs snuffle along, and horses gallop in every direction you can see. You might spot sunflowers swaying in the sun, or fish leaping in a quiet lake. But what happens when too many hooves trample the same patch of ground? Can a clever farmer keep the land healthy for all? This decodable reader practices the ai/ay phonogram in words such as ‘may,’ ‘plains,’ ‘stay,’ ’trail,’ and ‘raise.’

Jill walks into town with nothing but a cow, a frown, and a tale of stolen gold. Can anyone help her keep her treasure safe from sneaky raiders? When she knocks on Dr. Can Do’s door in the pouring rain, he grabs his hammer with a grin and a bold plan. Will his secret hideaway be deep enough to fool every thief? This decodable reader practices the ai/ay phonogram in words like ‘rain,’ ‘day,’ ‘pay,’ ’laid,’ and ‘stay.’

Can Kip make it past a mob of hungry crocs snapping in the mud? With a big pond blocking his path and a very important place to be, Kip will need fast feet, brave legs, and one enormous jump! Will the crocs catch him, or will Kip soar over the frogs and fish to reach his surprise? Leap along and find out! This decodable reader practices the ai/ay phonogram in words like ‘play,’ ’trail,’ ‘sails,’ ‘wail,’ and ‘stray.’

Chief Mwangi believes no child can outsmart his clever daughter, Wambũi. But when she falls gravely ill and no elder can name the cause, he makes a bold promise: the child who brings the cure will be her friend for life. Can a quiet farmer’s girl, who noticed something strange near the low stream, find the answer where everyone else fails? What did she spot that no one else did? This story practices the /eɪ/ sound with words like ‘say’, ‘day’, ‘plain’, ‘rain’ and ‘grain’.

Dr. Can Do’s stoves are hungry for coal, and they’re burning through his last lump fast! But when the maid says no and the cook won’t help, how will he get all the way to the faraway mine? Will walking do, or can a clever inventor build something better - rails, a cart, and a zooming ride through the fields of hay? This decodable reader practices the ai/ay phonogram in words like ‘day,’ ‘hay,’ ‘rails,’ ‘stay,’ and ‘way.’

The Hare and the Moon are the very best of friends, but they live so far apart. Every night Hare calls his news up to the sky, wishing he could sit right beside his glowing friend. Can a little hare really leap or climb all the way to the Moon? Or is there a gentler, closer way to be together? Follow Hare as he learns to be still and patient. This Bookbot level practices the /eɪ/ sound with words like ‘day’, ‘stays’, ‘waits’, ‘away’ and ‘stay’.

The great green pool by the brook has kept everyone away for weeks, and Sifiso’s gran lies sick on the far side. Can one small boy find a gift worthy of the proud serpent that guards the water? With no bridge and no way across, Sifiso must offer something true and free, then hope the great snake will let him pass. This Bookbot story practices the /eɪ/ sound with words like ‘way’, ‘stays’, ‘waits’, ‘aims’, and ’trail’.

At the edge of the great dry plain, the mighty Tembo stomps up to the only cool waterhole and declares it his alone. Every thirsty animal must wait in the blazing sun, until tiny Sungura the Hare steps forward with a clever plan. How can one small hare hope to move a giant who will not budge? Will his daring trick save the waterhole for everyone? This Bookbot book practices the ‘ai’/‘ay’ sound with words like ‘plain’, ‘day’, ‘play’, ‘wait’, and ‘says’.

High on a hill, Amahle grows the finest garden in her village, tending it every day. Then one morning a green and gold snake appears, coiled in the grass. Should she chase it off like her brother wants, or trust the quiet creature with the calm copper eyes? When the villagers come to judge her secret, what will she choose to reveal? This Bookbot level practices the /eɪ/ sound with words like ‘day’, ‘stays’, ‘waits’, ‘sways’, and ‘praise’.

Long ago, the sky hung so low that children could reach up and touch it, warm and full of any food they wished for. But one woman wanted far more than she could ever eat. What happens when someone forgets the simple rule to take only what they need? Will the sky forgive, or slip away forever? Find out in this warm retelling of a beloved African tale. This book practices the /eɪ/ sound with words like ‘day’, ‘wait’, ‘rain’, ‘stay’, and ‘pray’.

The Moon has vanished from the night sky, and the hills lie in darkness so deep that cattle stumble and crops wilt. When no one can remember ever thanking the Moon for her light, a small, brave hare steps forward to carry a message up to the highest peak. Can one little creature cross rivers, storms, and icy ledges to reach her? Will the Moon ever shine again? This book practices the /eɪ/ sound with words like ‘say’, ‘way’, ‘day’, ‘rays’, and ‘stay’.

Could the Moon share her most hopeful secret without a voice of her own? She picks the fastest, chattiest creature in the Kalahari to race her message across the sand, but this hare loves talking far more than listening. When one small mix up turns everything upside down, will he ever set it right? Read on to find out. This playful Bookbot phonics story practices the /eɪ/ sound in words like ‘say’, ‘stay’, ‘way’, ‘day’ and ‘wait’.

Aidan has saved every coin for his very first wand - but the only one he can afford is old, crooked, and a little bit grumpy. When he aims it at the sky and shouts for a toy train, ribbons fly everywhere, sweets rain down, and a real storm rolls in! Can Aidan figure out how to make this strange old wand actually listen? A playful decodable reader practicing ai/ay words such as ‘day,’ ‘play,’ ’train,’ ‘sails,’ and ‘spray.’

Ned is hungry, very hungry, and a field full of fluffy rabbits looks like the perfect dinner. But what happens when one little arrow wakes up something much, much bigger? Something with red eyes, tiny dagger teeth, and a sword in its paw? Can Ned and The Book find a cleverer way to fill the stew pot before that enormous bunny catches up with them? This decodable reader practices ai/ay words such as ‘hay,’ ‘stay,’ ‘brain,’ ’trail,’ and ‘play.’

Meet a playful kitten exploring the world with curiosity and wonder! From chasing flies to tumbling with a puppy friend, this little furball is always getting into adventures. Watch as the kitten discovers new things in the park, the yard, and beyond. What exciting discoveries will this kitten make next?

High in the misty green hills, no rain has fallen for many long days, and Ineza’s family is hungry. When she climbs to the old spring and meets a mysterious old woman by the water, a strange gift is given: “The bowl remembers what it carried.” What could those quiet words mean? And when her little brother wanders into the dark hills, will kindness find a way? This Bookbot level practices the /eɪ/ sound with words like ‘rain’, ‘pail’, ‘stay’, ‘day’ and ‘way’.

The Clever Jackal lives in the golden grasslands, small and thin with ears far too big for his body. When a huge, hungry lion blocks the path to the waterhole, what can a tiny jackal possibly do? Mkhulu has no strength and no speed, only a clever mind and a few well kept secrets. Can wit really outmatch muscle? This Bookbot book practices the ‘ai’ and ‘ay’ sounds with words like ‘say’, ‘day’, ‘wait’, ’trail’, and ‘stays’.

Skel the skeleton wants a loyal hunting dog by his side - but what happens when your new puppy LOVES bones a little too much? When Skel wakes up with his arms missing, then his leg, then even his skull, can one very determined skeleton teach one very hungry pup some manners? Get ready for a boney, barking adventure full of chases, treats, and tail wags! This decodable reader practices the ai/ay phonogram with words like ‘aims,’ ‘day,’ ‘faint,’ ’lay,’ and ‘play.’

Doc Can Do has walked a long way to find a new place to stay - but when he reaches the village, every wall is lit by smoky, drippy torches! Can this clever inventor convince the villagers that his bright new lamps, speedy rails, and wild ideas are better than fire? What will he build next? This decodable reader practices the ai/ay sound in words like ‘day,’ ‘stay,’ ‘main,’ and ‘rays.’

Blue Train has a secret - every night, he zooms down the rails faster than anything in the whole world! But what happens when he races so far he forgets the way home? And who is the kind boy with a flute who steps out from behind the trees when Blue Train starts to cry? Will Blue Train ever find his way back? This decodable reader practices ai/ay words such as ’train,’ ‘play,’ ‘wait,’ ‘brain,’ and ’trail.’

Spot is the world’s greatest finder of things - lost socks, buried bones, you name it! So when he loses his girl Jane at the zoo, he knows he can track her down. But why does Jane suddenly have a long swishy tail? And fuzzy fingers? And gold stripes? Can Spot sniff out his real girl before the day is done? This decodable reader practices the ai/ay phonogram with words like ‘day,’ ‘stay,’ ’trail,’ ‘wait,’ and ‘way.’

Red Bird is sure she’s the boldest, brightest, BEST bird in the yard - but is she really? Up on the hill, Yellow Bird thinks the same. Orange Bird just wants to zoom, Green Bird leads his band, and Blue Bird shoots into the sky. Then a huge gust roars in. Can six very different birds find a way to fly together? This decodable reader practices the ai/ay phonogram in words like ‘paint,’ ’trail,’ ‘stay,’ ‘sway,’ and ‘day.’

Ray’s hat is the greatest hat ever made - with googly eyes, teal horns, and a long pink tail that swishes when he walks. But what happens when a mischievous cloud spots that silly tail flapping in the wind? Can Ray and his bull catch the hat before it sails away forever? A windy, wonderful adventure about holding on tight to the things you love. This decodable reader practices the ai/ay phonogram with words like ‘hay,’ ‘rain,’ ’trail,’ ‘stay,’ and ‘gray.’