Bookbot Decodable Books: V, CV, CCV
Literacy changes lives, and we’re dedicated to making quality books accessible to every young reader. These open syllable decodable books show children that a vowel at the end of a syllable often says its name, as in go, he and we. The stories also teach y as a vowel at the end of short words like my, fly and sky.
Free
Tip Must Find It!
Tip’s nose wakes her up one snowy morning, and something in the air smells wild and new! But wait - is that a sweeter scent drifting past the snowman? Warm, spicy, and absolutely delicious? Tip simply must find out where it’s coming from! Can her twitchy nose lead her to the mystery treat? And why is Brat Cat grinning like she knows a secret? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words such as ‘by,’ ‘go,’ ‘he,’ ‘my,’ and ‘she.’
Free
Why So Dark?
What happens when someone decides the whole world is just too bright? High above the glowing town, a grumpy shadow called The Dark is tired of all the sparkle - so CLICK, off go the house lights, the streetlights, even the carnival! But when a little rowboat drifts toward trouble on the pitch-black sea, will The Dark realize what it has done? This decodable reader practices open syllables, with lesson words such as ‘be,’ ‘by,’ ‘fly,’ ‘sky,’ and ‘so.’
Free
Red, Sun, and Sky!
Red, Sun, and Sky are three dinosaur friends with one colorful job: paint the gray neighborhood bright! But what happens when red splashes into yellow, or blue swirls with sun? And why does Blue Dinosaur keep warning his friends not to mix all three colors at once? Will the dinosaurs dare to break the biggest rule in the sky? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘fly,’ ‘my,’ ‘sky,’ ’try,’ and ‘we.’
Free
We Hum to the Sky!
Out on the dusty plain, Kaa sings and sings to the empty sky, begging for rain that never comes. But what happens when a giant, grinning stegosaurus stomps down the trail and wants to join the song? Can two very loud singers shake a storm out of the clouds? Stomp, sway, and belt it out with Kaa and Dino! This decodable reader practices open syllables in words such as ‘he,’ ‘we,’ ‘sky,’ and ‘dry.’
Free
His Big Gig
Pang the cicada has the biggest job of his life - conducting the Dry Season Concert for the whole forest! His wings tremble, his knees wobble, and his glasses keep sliding down his nose. Can he get the choir to sing in tune? And what happens when something very wet and very unexpected starts falling from the sky at a DRY season concert? A decodable reader practicing open syllables in words like ‘be,’ ‘fly,’ ‘my,’ ’try,’ and ‘we.’
Free
His Best Gag
Dr Can Do has the BEST Christmas joke in the whole wide world, saved up for Christmas dinner like a secret treasure. But what happens when someone keeps stealing his punchlines before he can say them? Who could possibly know every joke in his head? From the sunny beach to the sparkling tree in the town square, Dr Can Do is determined to land one perfect laugh. This decodable story practices open syllables in words like ‘go,’ ‘he,’ ‘me,’ ‘my,’ and ’tree.’
Free
Why Is She Stuck?
Rose the sheep is plump, happy, and heading home after a sunny summer on the hill - but oh no, the farmer has built a tiny new gate, and Rose is stuck fast! Can yoga squish her smaller? Will running slim her down? What about swimming? Three weeks of wobbly tries later, why is Rose still exactly the same size, and what clever idea pops into her head? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘my,’ ’try,’ ‘she,’ ‘so,’ and ‘why.’
Free
We Spy the Sly Bat
Someone has taken a huge bite out of the ripest guava on the tree - but who? Kina and Kale are on the case! Was it a caterpillar, a grasshopper, or maybe even the chicken? When every guess turns out wrong, the brave detectives decide to camp by the tree and wait. Could the sneaky biter only come out at night? This decodable reader builds confidence with open syllables, featuring words like ‘we,’ ‘go,’ ‘my,’ ‘fly,’ and ‘shy.’
Free
Best Buds!
Two characters are trying to become friends, but things keep getting in the way. One seems prickly and not very cuddly! Will they find a way to get along? Follow along as they try different ideas to become pals. Can they figure out what it takes to be true friends?
Free
Hold On, Kim!
What is making that tap-tap-tap sound while Kim tries to nap? When a dusty old loom starts shaking all on its own, Kim climbs aboard and suddenly she’s lifting off the ground, rising past rooftops and soaring into the clouds. Will she hold on tight as the loom dives, splashes, and swirls through a world bursting with color? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words such as “fly,” “sky,” “we,” “me,” and “why.”
Bugs Fly to Me
Deep in the jungle lives Rafa, a big red flower with bold white spots and a smell so strong it could curl your toes! The other flowers giggle and groan, but Rafa just grins and puffs up her petals. Why won’t the butterflies visit her? And who are the special friends zooming in on tiny buzzing wings? Could Rafa’s stinky secret actually be her superpower? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘cry,’ ‘fly,’ ‘sky,’ ’try,’ and ‘we.’
Oh No, My Nest!
Bird has built the perfect nest at the tip-top of the tallest tree - but then BUMP! An elephant comes scratching, and her twigs start to wobble. Can Bird find a safe spot on a stone wall? What happens when two giant eyes peek through the leaves? After three nest disasters, will Bird ever find a home where nothing can bump or bother her again? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words such as ‘my,’ ‘sky,’ ‘fly,’ ‘go,’ and ‘why.’
Go, Nip, Go!
Nip the little crab is bursting with excitement - today is the day she finally gets to see the sea! But with shiny shells to collect, a friendly fiddler crab to meet, and a whole beach full of new crab pals, will Nip ever make it to the water? And what happens when she bumps into a grouchy crab who isn’t in the mood for hellos? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘by,’ ‘go,’ ‘he,’ ’no,’ and ‘so.’
The Shy Calf
Kobi is a snow-white buffalo calf, and tonight he gets to lead the big New Year parade through the glittering city! But Kobi is shy, the crowds are loud, and Abi has made a very important promise: to stay by his friend’s side the whole way. Can a boy keep his word when the lanterns blaze and his tummy starts to rumble? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘go,’ ‘he,’ ’no,’ ‘shy,’ and ’try.’
Mom and Pups
Mom Otter has big plans for her wriggly pups today - swimming, hiding, napping, and finally the best bit of all: catching a real, shiny, slippery fish! But can four bouncy pups sit still long enough to learn? What happens when they tiptoe past a snappy trap, a hungry croc, and a man with a net? And will those sneaky fish ever stop cheating? A playful decodable reader practicing open syllables through words like ‘by,’ ‘fly,’ ’try,’ ‘she,’ and ‘we.’
He Did It!
THWACK! Arrows are raining down from the sky, and poor Hop has nearly been turned into a pincushion! Who could be shooting at him, and why? Hop is furious and marching off to find the culprit - but along the way he picks up a nervous Cob, a brave Brown, a mighty Hip, and a surprising Ape. Can this little band track down the mystery archer before another arrow flies? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words such as ‘by,’ ‘go,’ ‘he,’ ‘me,’ and ‘why.’
My Mom Has a Bub!
From the coziest spot in the whole rainforest - Mom’s pouch - one little joey spies butterflies, berries, and blue feathers floating by. But what happens when Mom suddenly won’t let him climb back in? Could there be a secret tucked inside her pouch? Follow along as a curious kangaroo discovers that the best treasures sometimes come in very tiny packages. This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘my,’ ‘go,’ ‘she,’ ‘shy,’ and ‘fly.’
I Am Best!
Rabbit has a big, brilliant plan: to be FIRST at everything! First in class, first in the big race, first in art, first at math. But every single time he tries, someone else zooms ahead! Can Rabbit find one thing he’s truly first at? And why might his classmates think he’s already a winner? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘be,’ ‘he,’ ‘so,’ and ‘why.’
He Can Do It!
Dr. Can Do’s furnaces are hungry, hungry, HUNGRY - and there isn’t a lump of coal left in town! Can a clever inventor build his way to the faraway mine before his workshop goes cold? With a hammer in hand and a big idea brewing, Dr. Can Do is about to find out that walking is NOT the fastest way to get more coal. What will he invent next? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘go,’ ‘my,’ ‘so,’ and ’try.’
Just One!
May the fairy has one simple job: fly through the garden and pick her very favorite flower. Easy, right? But wait - which bloom is truly the best? The sunny daisies? The pinky-pink roses? That mysterious red bloom no one has ever seen? Even the bees can’t agree, and a zippy little bee keeps buzzing, ‘Pick one already!’ Can May ever choose just one? This cheerful decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘fly,’ ‘go,’ ’try,’ ‘why,’ and ‘me.’
Can We Fly?
Birds zoom, dragonflies zip, and butterflies drift past like leaves on the breeze - but what about us? Could three brave kids with big ideas and bigger dreams really make it up into the sky? When a fluffy cloud and a soaring kite both fail to lift them, will they ever find a way to fly? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words such as ‘fly,’ ‘sky,’ ‘go,’ ‘he,’ and ‘we.’
The Fish and Chip Shop!
A hungry boy walks to his favorite fish and chip shop with money from his parents. He knows the friendly worker Will, but today he decides to be brave and try something new from the menu. Will the boy’s bold choice be delicious? Find out as he explores what number five has to offer!
Hens
Meet a variety of hens in this fun discovery book! From spotted hens to fluffy red ones, each page introduces a different hen with its own special qualities. Some hens are busy, some are silly, and some are downright grumpy. As you turn the pages, you’ll learn amazing things about what hens can do. Can you spot all the different kinds of hens and discover what makes each one unique?
Try, Try Again!
Little Toman Fish is ready to catch the biggest dinner anyone has ever seen - easy, right? But what happens when his hiding rock stands up and stomps away? And when a sneaky kingfisher swoops in after the very same dragonfly he’s been eyeing? Can a fast, impatient little fish learn to wait, watch, and maybe even share the river with a feathered rival? This playful decodable reader practices open syllables in words such as ‘go,’ ’try,’ ‘fly,’ ‘shy,’ and ‘we.’
Not One Cup!
Girl is thirstier than she has ever been, and every pump, tank, creek, and dam in town is bone dry! Why won’t the sky send even one tiny raindrop? Can she find a single sip before she shrivels into a puddle herself, or will her bucket stay empty forever? Grab a cup and join Girl on her very thirsty adventure. This decodable reader practices open syllables through words like ‘dry,’ ‘go,’ ‘she,’ and ‘why.’
Help Sam Find It!
Poor Sam the caterpillar has lost a shoe - and he needs it back! Who could have taken it? He asks Frog, but her flipper is too floppy. He asks Hop, but the red shoe pinches. He asks Crab, but ouch, too pointy! Will Sam ever find his missing shoe, or is something even more surprising about to happen? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘fly,’ ‘go,’ ‘my,’ ‘so,’ and ‘sky.’
Don't Cry, Blue Train!
Blue Train has a secret - every night, when the station is dark, he zooms past cacti and races under stars so bright they look like pinpricks in the sky. But what happens when he flies too far and finds himself lost in a strange forest with scowling trees and a very purple elephant? Can a boy with a flute help him find the way home? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘by,’ ‘cry,’ ‘fly,’ and ’try.’
Fly! Fly!
When Boy’s favorite toy gets snatched by a mischievous dragon and carried high into the clouds, what’s a brave friend to do? Girl knows just one answer: hold on tight and chase that silly dragon across the sky! Can they zoom fast enough to catch the toy before Dragon gets up to more trouble? Buckle up for a wild, whooshing ride packed with giggles and gasps. This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘cry,’ ‘fly,’ ‘sky,’ and ‘we.’
Dog And Cat Do Art
What happens when a curious dog knocks over a tin of bright yellow paint? And what happens when a very grumpy cat gets splattered too? Dog and Cat go tumbling, bumping, and dashing through the house, turning everything (and themselves!) into a wild, colorful mess. But poor Pam is trying to paint on Art Day - will her canvas survive two paint-covered pets? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘go,’ ‘he,’ ‘she,’ and ‘we.’
Get It, Sam!
When Deb’s cat Sam digs up a very grumpy crab in the yard, what’s a kid to do? Pop it in a bucket, of course! But then come the babies - dozens of tiny, scuttling, sand-digging babies - and suddenly Deb has crabs going everywhere. Can she catch them all before they vanish into the dirt? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘by,’ ‘my,’ ‘go,’ ‘he,’ and ’try.’
The Junk Got My Cat!
Ben’s cat has missed dinner - and that NEVER happens! When he follows muddy paw prints to a giant, googly-eyed pile of rubbish, he spots his furry friend perched happily on top like a queen. Then the pile WALKS AWAY with her! Can Ben outsmart a walking heap of junk before his cat vanishes forever? This decodable reader practices open syllables through words such as ‘go,’ ‘my,’ ‘sky,’ and ‘so.’
We Run to the Farm!
Have you ever waited and waited for someone special to arrive? Today is finally the day! My cousin Bo is here, and I have the best plan ever - we’ll race to the farm, lift heavy grain, try to catch a slippery fish with our bare hands, and find Nan at the market for a snack that tastes like magic. But what makes this day truly the best of all? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘go,’ ‘my,’ ‘sky,’ ’try,’ and ‘we.’
Bob and the Big Tug
Bob is the worst fisherman in town - but that suits him just fine, because Bob only comes to the dock to nap! So when something enormous tugs his line and a huge, sharp-toothed head rises from the waves, Bob is in for the shock of his life. Is this scaly giant a monster… or something else entirely? And what secret lies at the bottom of the sea? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words like ‘by,’ ‘cry,’ ‘me,’ and ’try.’
My Big Act!
Susy has a BIG dream - she wants to be a real magic queen, with a cape, a wand, and a crowd cheering her name! But what do you do when you have no stage, no top hat, and no rabbit? Luckily, Susy has Mak, her dog and trusty sidekick. Can a rice basket, an old sheet, and one brave puppy pull off the greatest magic show ever? This decodable reader practices open syllables in words such as ‘be,’ ‘go,’ ‘my,’ and ’try.’
Bookbot Decodable Books by Level
Frequently Asked Questions
What are open syllable words?
An open syllable ends with a vowel, with no consonant closing it off, so the vowel usually says its long sound, as in go, me and hi. The letter y can act the same way at the end of a short word, giving the long i sound in my, by and try. In longer words the pattern returns in the first syllable of ba-by, ti-ger and mu-sic.
How can you tell if a syllable is open or closed?
Look at how the syllable ends. If it finishes with a vowel, it is open and the vowel is usually long, as in no, he and we; if a consonant closes it, the vowel is usually short, as in not, hen and wet. Reading pairs like these side by side is a quick way to show children how one letter changes the vowel sound.
What are the 7 types of syllables?
A common list of seven syllable types is closed, open, silent e, vowel team, r-controlled, consonant-le and diphthong. Each type tells a reader what the vowel is likely to do, which helps a lot with longer words. Children usually learn closed and open syllables first, and later levels in this collection cover silent e, vowel teams and endings such as -le, as our scope and sequence shows.
How do you teach open and closed syllables?
Write a short open syllable word such as go, then add a consonant to make got, and ask your child what happened to the vowel. Sorting word cards into open and closed piles, then reading open syllable decodable books, lets them use the pattern in real sentences. The National Reading Panel (2000) found that systematic phonics instruction brings significant benefits in the early grades, and syllable work fits that approach.