Bookbot Decodable Books: Suffix
Our mission is making literacy accessible to all children, because reading opens doors to endless possibilities. These suffix decodable books show children how an ending can change a word they already know. Stories at this level use common suffixes such as -ness, -ment, -er, -ful and -ship, in words like happiness, teacher, careful and friendship.
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I Want THAT House!
What would YOU do with a house on tall wooden stilts, or one that floats peacefully on the waves? Follow a child with a basket of mangoes as they wander past shops, gardens, and garages, meeting families who live in the most surprising homes. Could there really be a perfect house - and which one would you pick? This decodable reader practices suffixes in words like ‘proudly,’ ‘brightens,’ ‘cheerful,’ and ‘worker.’
Free
Not That Color!
Ned the farmer has a problem - his new leather armor is plain, boring brown, and he wants to look AMAZING. Can red flowers help? What about yellow ones? When Ned crushes petals into dye, something surprising happens on his workbench, and soon The Book is helping him cook up a whole rainbow of colors for his fashion show. This decodable reader practices suffixes in words like ‘farmer,’ ‘handful,’ ’lovely,’ and ‘brightly.’
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Watch Out, Ted!
Ted is heading to Ava’s birthday party, and he knows every step of the way - even though he cannot see. But when his neighbor 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 practices suffixes in words such as ‘boldly,’ ‘calmly,’ ‘proudly,’ ‘friendship,’ and ‘roughness.’
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Don't Open That Door!
Pa tells the best bedtime stories in the world, and tonight’s tale is about a girl made of air - faceless, nameless, and almost impossible to spot. Could someone really sit quietly beside you without being seen? When a brave boy offers to paint her so the world can finally notice her, something wonderful begins. But when Pa turns off the lamp and the door creaks open… who is there? This decodable reader practices suffixes in words like ’truly,’ ‘brightness,’ ‘carefully,’ and ‘happiness.’
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Don't Chop the Bees!
Ned has spotted a bee buzzing across his farm, and now he simply must find out where it lives - and whether it might share some of that sweet golden honey. But bees don’t love being chopped at with axes, and a hungry bear is eyeing the same prize. Can Ned and The Book find a cleverer way to get their treat? This decodable reader practices suffixes in words like ‘boldly,’ ‘softly,’ ‘kindly,’ and ‘swiftly.’
Free
Wait! Don't Go!
Today is Sen’s birthday, and the giant boy has crawled up from his underground cave with one enormous wish: to find a friend. But when three village children spot him patting a shiny little bike, everything goes CRUNCH! Can a boy with banana-sized fingers and a thunder-loud voice ever show the kids he only wants to play? Will anyone be brave enough to come back? This decodable reader practices suffixes in words such as ‘boldly,’ ‘gently,’ ‘friendly,’ ‘sadly,’ and ‘slowly.’
Free
Wait for Me, Dad!
Dad rides off to work every morning - but what if a little girl decided to chase him all the way across the world? Could a scooter be fast enough? A bus? A digger? From zooming roads to splashing waves, one determined girl refuses to give up until she spots something huge on the horizon. Which ride would YOU pick first? This decodable reader practices suffixes in words like ‘faster,’ ‘proudly,’ ’tightly,’ and ‘fearless.’
Free
Grab My Hand!
Jojo spots a boy juggling a football on the other side of the fence, and his feet are a total blur. Can Jojo keep up with this lightning-quick player? And why won’t the boy stop when Jojo calls for a break, no matter how loudly he shouts? When the ball rolls into the road, Jojo has to act fast. This decodable reader practices suffixes in words like ‘bravely,’ ‘quickly,’ ‘hopeful,’ and ‘friendship.’
Free
Bigger Blossoms!
Ladybug has found a teeny, tiny vine in the yard, and she is certain she can grow it into the most magnificent garden anyone has ever seen. But have you ever watched a vine climb a little too quickly? What happens when golden blossoms, fat pumpkins, and curling tendrils start wrapping around everything in sight? Snail tries to warn her, but Ladybug has big plans! This decodable reader practices suffixes in words like ‘brightly,’ ‘proudly,’ ‘quickly,’ ‘growers,’ and ’lovely.’
My Biome Is Broken!
A bed on the roof? A pig in a cave? A fish stuck inside a tree? Something has gone very wrong in this Minecraft world, and every block our hero checks turns up weirder than the last. Will anything be normal today, or has the whole game truly glitched out for good? Join the hunt for answers - if you dare peek behind that trading house door! This decodable reader practices suffixes in words like ‘oddly,’ ‘boldly,’ ‘sadly,’ ‘pointless,’ and ‘speechless.’
Don't Burn The Book!
Ned the maker is running low on coal, and the caves are far too dangerous to explore. Luckily, his friendly book-shaped helper has a clever idea: why not grow a whole forest of your very own? But can Ned really turn trees into fuel, and will bone meal truly make saplings shoot up in seconds? Join Ned as he digs, plants, and chops his way to a brilliant plan! This decodable reader practices suffixes in words like ‘boldly,’ ‘farmer,’ ’taller,’ and ‘hopeful.’
Pat Ate All the Cake!
Pat the cat has no home, but he naps in a lovely tree and the Jones family leaves food out for him daily. So when they pack their suitcases and drive away, what will a hungry cat do? That night, Pat sneaks softly through an open window and finds a fridge full of treats - but can one small cat really eat everything? This decodable reader practices suffixes in words such as ‘quickly,’ ‘blissful,’ ‘fatter,’ and ‘friendship.’
I Grew That!
Meet a young farmer with big dreams and even bigger baskets! He digs straight lines, scatters seeds, and shoos away hungry birds, all so his family can share a special meal. But can one boy really grow an entire dinner by himself? And what happens when surprise visitors sneak into his garden? This decodable reader practices suffix words such as ‘proudly,’ ‘kindly,’ ‘hopeful,’ ’thankful,’ and ’lovely.’
Little Book of Big Facts: Sumatran Tiger
Meet the Sumatran tiger—the biggest cat in the world! Did you know these magnificent striped hunters can grow over two meters long and have teeth nine times sharper than ours? Discover what makes these wild cats so special, where they live, and the amazing ways they hunt their prey in the Indonesian forests.
Little Book of Big Facts: Sun Bear
Meet the sun bear—the world’s smallest bear! Discover where these amazing tree-climbing creatures live, what they love to eat, and the special skills that make them so incredible. But what makes sun bears different from other bears, and what dangers do they face in their forest home?
Ella Can Trek!
Ella is on a quest in a forest. She found a map that shows where a great grail lays. She is near where the X marks the spot on the map.
Forester Can Protect!
Meet Forester, a forest worker who cares deeply about all the animals in the wild! Every day he checks on bees, birds, snakes, and spiders to keep them safe. But when Forester notices something troubling—a mother kangaroo and her baby are missing—he knows something is very wrong. Will Forester be able to solve this mystery and protect his forest friends?
Birds
Discover the amazing world of birds! From flamingos wading in water to owls hunting silently at night, each bird has special tricks and talents. Meet peacocks with their dazzling feathers, parrots that can talk, and many more feathered friends. What makes each bird so unique and special? Explore the incredible abilities that help birds survive!
Hare and a Far Moon
The Hare and the Moon were the very best of friends, calling out the day’s news across a great dark distance every night. But what happens when Hare wishes he could sit right beside the Moon, just once? Watch him leap ‘higher’ than any hare before, build a wobbly tower, and stumble on a wiser, gentler way to be close to the friend he loves. This gentle Bookbot story practices two-syllable words with suffixes, like ‘brighter’, ‘foolish’, ‘gladness’, and ’lovely’.
Hyena and Two Smells
Why does Hyena laugh across the African veld at night? When his greedy nose catches two feasts at once, Hyena races back and forth, unable to choose, until one bad decision leaves him stuck in a ditch with a wasps’ nest at nose level. What happens next changes his face, and his voice, forever. Can he ever go back to the way he was? This Bookbot level practices two syllable words with suffixes, like ‘anxiously’, ‘helpless’, ‘swollen’, ‘stranger’, and ‘hopelessly’.
Kofi Hunts Nkosi
Kofi is the finest young tracker in his village, and he sets off deep into the forest after Nkosi, the great silverback no one dares to hunt. But when a rotten vine snaps and leaves him trapped and hurt, who will come to the rim of the ravine? And what happens when the hunter meets the great one’s quiet eyes? This Bookbot book practices two-syllable words with suffixes, like ‘hunter’, ‘deeper’, ‘slowly’, ‘famous’, and ‘careful’.
Zintle and the Turtle
The river runs deep and green, and the people say a king lives at the bottom, watching all that passes above. When Zintle stops to help a stranded turtle, a thorn-stuck heron, and a catfish going dry, she never asks for thanks. So why does the river rise in the dead of the dry season and sweep away her family’s seeds? And what could a young weaver possibly offer the King of the Waters in return? This Bookbot level builds two-syllable words with suffixes, like ’lonely’, ‘kindly’, ‘swollen’, and ‘payment’.
Siyanda and the Old Cow
High in the green hills of KwaZulu-Natal, a boy named Siyanda tends the family’s cattle alone. His father is sick, his sisters are hungry, and there are never quite enough cows to feed them all. So when a grieving act of kindness brings a mysterious old woman with two magical horns, could a boy with a clean heart change everything? And what happens when a greedy neighbor steals one away? This Bookbot level practices two-syllable words with suffixes, like ‘softly’, ‘gently’, ‘healer’, and ‘proudly’.
Owino Calls the Rain
When Adhis’s father falls ill, the village turns to her loud, boastful older brother to call the rains. But can a rainmaker command the sky, or must she learn to listen to it? As storm clouds gather over the wrong village, Adhis reads the ants, the birds, and the east wind, racing to ready her home before the water comes. Will she save the seeds in time? This Bookbot level practices two-syllable words with suffixes, including ‘speaker’, ‘older’, ‘boldly’, ‘bravely’, and ‘swiftly’.
The Sky Meal
Why the Sky Is Far Away is a retelling of a beloved African folktale. Long ago, the sky hung so low that children could press their hands against it and feel the thunder move through their fingers. Igwe the Sky gave his flesh as food, asking only one thing: take what you need. But what happens when one woman takes far too much? Will the sky ever come close again? This Bookbot level practices two-syllable words with suffixes like ‘softly’, ‘sadness’, ‘kindly’, ‘reminder’, and ‘punishment’.
Fox in the Night
Zom the farmer is losing chickens, and a sneaky fox is to blame! He hammers planks, builds a mighty gate, and even practices his scariest growl - but nothing seems to stop her. Why does this clever fox keep slipping past every trap? Can Zom outwit her before his whole flock disappears? This decodable reader practices suffixes in words like ‘bravely,’ ‘swiftly,’ ‘farmer,’ ‘harder,’ and ‘smarter.’
The Quest
What if the most amazing thing in the whole world was waiting just past your own front door? Little Snap the croc is ready to find out. She kisses her family goodbye and swims swiftly into the big blue sea, meeting a bookish otter, a leaping dolphin, and wonders she never imagined. But will her grand quest end where it began? This decodable reader practices suffixes in words such as ‘kindly,’ ‘swiftly,’ ‘friendships,’ ‘homeward,’ and ’lovely.’
Surprise, Kara!
Pip’s first birthday is tomorrow, and Kara has the most exciting plan ever - a surprise party with cake, balloons, and every single one of his favorite things! But what happens when a clever little puppy peeks around the doorway and hears every word? Can Kara still pull off a surprise when Pip has plans of his own? This decodable reader practices suffixes through words such as ‘boldly,’ ‘brightly,’ ‘cheerful,’ ‘proudly,’ and ‘softly.’
Don't Touch My Cows!
Ned is DONE with fighting monsters - from now on, he’s a man of peace who bakes magnificent cakes! But cakes need milk, and milk needs cows, and cows need a pen… so what happens when darkness falls before the fence is finished? Can Ned bravely protect his new herd through a long, sleepless night? This decodable reader practices words with suffixes such as ‘bravely,’ ’tightly,’ ‘hopeful,’ ‘golden,’ and ’thankful.’
My Cat Won't Eat!
Dot has a brand new cat, and he looks so sad she’s sure he must be starving! But what does a fussy little cat actually want to eat? Dot boldly tries bread, then juicy apples, then a freshly cooked egg - and nothing works! Will Dot ever figure out the secret to her clever cat’s tummy before the day is done? This decodable reader practices suffixes in words such as ’lovely,’ ‘boldly,’ ‘brightly,’ ‘hopeful,’ and ‘cheerful.’
Don't Go Deeper!
Little Fish is tired of the same sandy floor, the same boring rocks, the same shallow sea every single day. What wonders might be hiding in the deeper water below? When he sneaks off while his mother’s back is turned, he finds glittering coral, curious crabs - and something far, far scarier resting on the ocean floor. Can Little Fish find his way back to safety? This decodable reader practices suffixes in words like ‘kindly,’ ‘boldly,’ ‘deeper,’ ‘faster,’ and ‘bravely.’
I Won't Give Up
Meet Hope, a girl who wants to learn exciting new things like riding a bike and swimming. But learning isn’t always easy! She falls down, gets scared, and sometimes wants to give up. The world seems full of frightening things - dark rooms, creepy crawlies, and booming thunder. How will Hope find the courage to face her fears? Can she discover the secret to being brave?
That Pig Wants My Carrot!
Ned the farmer wants to grow something new on his farm, and what he finds are funny little orange things called carrots! But carrots smell amazing to pigs - and one sneaky pink pig is following him home. Can Ned keep his carrot safe? Can he build a pen strong enough to protect his new piggy friends when the monsters come out at night? This decodable reader practices suffixes in words like ‘farmer,’ ‘kindly,’ ’loudly,’ and ‘stronger.’
Wanjikũ and the Stranger
Wanjikũ is the cleverest girl in her village, so why does the handsome stranger she marries only ever visit at dusk, always eating with his back turned? When the path to his home grows darker and the trees grow thicker, what will she find waiting inside? Can her little brother’s warning save her before it’s too late? This Bookbot Level S2 story practices two-syllable words with suffixes, like ‘stranger’, ‘monster’, ‘firmly’, and ‘bravely’.
Stand Still, Cows!
Ned is a brave fighter, but every monster battle leaves him covered in bumps and bruises! To stay safer, he needs leather armor - and that means catching cows. But have you ever tried sneaking up on a cow? They scatter, they run, and something green and lumpy might be creeping close behind. Can Ned become a quiet enough hunter to finally gather what he needs? This decodable reader practices suffixes in words such as ‘bravely,’ ‘faster,’ ‘hunter,’ ‘proudly,’ and ‘softly.’
Art Day
Dog has found a mysterious tin sitting in the middle of the floor - but what could be inside? A treat? A toy? When Dog tips it over, yellow paint goes everywhere, and soon Cat is splattered too! Can two very messy pets sneak past Pam on Art Day without ruining her beautiful blank canvas, or is disaster about to strike? This decodable reader practices suffixes through words like ‘gladly,’ ‘proudly,’ ‘swiftly,’ ‘breathless,’ and ‘painter.’
No Pals? No Lunch!
Tiger thinks being alone is simply blissful - no noisy pals, no messy friends, just warm sun and peaceful quiet. But when every mouse, fawn, and bird bolts the moment she twitches an ear, her tummy starts to grumble louder and louder. Can a lone hunter really hunt with nobody around? And what happens when the forest goes completely silent? This decodable reader practices suffixes in words like ‘blissful,’ ‘proudly,’ ’tightly,’ and ’loudly.’
Too Much Honey, Ned!
Ned has built the most beautiful beehive in the neighborhood, and the honey is truly the best thing he has ever tasted! But what happens when Ned eats spoonful after spoonful, day after day? Can his wise magic book convince him to slow down before his tummy turns awful - or will it take a very strange dream to teach him a lesson? This decodable reader practices suffixes in words like ‘proudly,’ ‘spoonful,’ ‘hopeful,’ and ‘swiftly.’
Pedal, Mama, Pedal!
When the school bell rings in Animal Town, every mom and dad zooms off to pick up their kids - every single one except poor Mama Bear, who always arrives last. Can a bear who has never ridden before really learn to pedal? And what happens when wobbly wheels meet a brave heart and a cheering cub? Hop on and find out! This decodable reader practices suffixes in words like ’loudly,’ ‘proudly,’ ‘happiness,’ and ‘hopeless.’
I'll Build It Myself!
Gilly the goat is HOT, HOT, HOT. On the hottest day of summer, can a goat really find shade that fits her whole goaty self? She tries hiding under a leaf and squeezing into shrubs, but nothing works! Then she spots something in town that sparks a big, bold idea. Will Gilly’s plan actually keep her cool? A decodable reader exploring suffixes through words such as ‘builder,’ ‘hopeful,’ ’lovely,’ and ’truly.’
Down on the Farm
Zom the zombie farmer has a brilliant plan - invite the villagers for a lovely farm stay with fresh air, cute animals, and a big country breakfast! The villagers arrive gleeful and hopeful, but when Zom hands them a very long list of chores and vanishes, things start to get messy. Will slimy green eggs and grumpy zombie sheep ruin the trip? This decodable reader practices suffixes in words like ‘farmer,’ ‘gladly,’ ‘hopeful,’ and ‘proudly.’
Little Book of Big Facts: Orangutan
Is that a monkey swinging through the trees? Look again! Orangutans are great apes, and they’re actually related to humans! These amazing animals live high up in the forest, using their super-long arms to climb from tree to tree. They’re so smart they can use tools and even talk with sign language. But did you know orangutans have dangerous enemies hiding in the jungle? Discover what makes these ‘people of the forest’ so special!
Little Book of Big Facts: Irrawaddy Dolphin
Did you know dolphins aren’t fish? Meet the Irrawaddy dolphin—a smart, playful mammal that lives in rivers and can even work together with other dolphins to catch food! Discover what makes these amazing creatures so special and why we need to protect them.
A Puppet Can...
Meet a puppet with amazing talents! A young puppeteer discovers all the wonderful things their wooden friend can do—from hopping and clapping to performing tap shows and doing tricks. With skillful string work, what incredible feats can this puppet achieve? Find out all the amazing ways a puppet can move, perform, and entertain!
Bookbot Decodable Books by Level
Frequently Asked Questions
What does suffix mean in reading?
Suffixes are endings attached to a base word that change its meaning or its job in a sentence, as when teach becomes teacher or kind becomes kindness. In reading, spotting a suffix lets a child split a long word into parts they already know. A word like achievement is far less daunting once it is seen as achieve plus -ment, an idea our article on decoding and morphology explores for prefixes and suffixes alike.
How do you explain suffixes to a child?
Try describing a suffix as a tail that clips onto the end of a word and changes it. Build words together with cards or sticky notes: put help next to -ful, then next to -less, and talk about how helpful and helpless mean almost opposite things. The idea is easiest to grasp when the base word is one your child can already read and understand.
What are 10 common suffixes, with examples?
Ten common suffixes children meet early are -s (cats), -ed (jumped), -ing (running), -er (teacher), -ly (quickly), -ful (careful), -less (fearless), -ness (happiness), -ment (enjoyment) and -ship (friendship). Suffixes examples like these appear across everyday books, so they are worth learning as reading chunks. Knowing a handful well opens the door to many longer words.
What makes suffix decodable books useful for practice?
In suffix decodable books, the base words use phonics patterns a child has already learned, so attention can go to the ending instead of the whole word. That mirrors how skilled readers work, since they recognize familiar word parts quickly. Snow, Burns & Griffin (1998) stressed that beginning readers need both explicit teaching of how spellings map to sounds and plenty of practice reading real text.