Children's Books for 1st Graders
We’re passionate about ensuring literacy is accessible to every child, as it is essential for a happy, successful life. Discover kids books online designed for 1st graders ages 5-6. Our children’s books feature phonics patterns including CVC words, blends, and digraphs. Explore picture books, storybooks, and read aloud stories perfect for first grade readers.
A Bunch of Squid!
Chad has big plans for the best garden on the street - until the sky starts doing something very strange. Swirls twist overhead, his shovel slips, and then… fish! Squid! Splattering down all around him! But what happens when the sky clears and there’s not a single drop of proof left behind? Will anyone believe Chad’s wild story? This decodable reader practices the ‘ch’ sound in words such as ‘bunch,’ ‘catch,’ ‘chunk,’ and ’twitch.’
Birds Like Me Don't Fly
Hank has one enormous dream - he wants to fly! But his wings are small, his body is big, and his feet just won’t leave the ground. When the other birds laugh and say birds like Hank don’t fly, will he give up on his dream? Or could a plank, some tape, and a very big idea change everything? Grab your goggles and find out! This decodable reader practices the nk sound in words like ‘bank,’ ‘clank,’ ‘shrink,’ and ’think.’
Catch That Bug!
Have you ever tried to catch the fastest bug in the playground? When the teacher sets a bug-catching task, two friends pick the trickiest target of all - a dazzling dragonfly that zips, darts, and dodges every grab. Can leaves, a spider’s web, and a whole lot of teamwork outsmart a bug that seems to read minds? This decodable reader practices the ‘ch’ sound in words like ‘catch,’ ‘chase,’ ‘branch,’ and ‘snatch.’
Don't Let Go, Bub!
Bub’s family loves the park bench, but Bub has her eye on something far more exciting - a bright kite dancing in the sky! What happens when Bub grabs the string and a big gust of wind lifts her feet right off the ground? Can Pup hold on tight enough to save her, or will the whole family end up dangling in the clouds? This decodable reader practices the ‘ch’ sound in words like ‘chomps,’ ‘fetch,’ ‘watch,’ and ‘chain.’
Don't Pick That Plant!
Beth has one blank spot in her cozy nest, and it needs the perfect flower to fill it. But every time she spots a bloom she likes, somebody shouts, “Don’t pick that flower!” A fussy butterfly, grumpy bees, a spider guarding its web - will Beth ever find a flower nobody tells her to leave alone? Can she trust her own wink of an idea? This decodable reader practices the nk phonogram in words like ‘blink,’ ‘honk,’ ‘plank,’ and ’think.’
I Can Hide It!
Mia spots Lily’s brand new jacket just hanging there - and it looks SO cool. What could go wrong with trying it on for one tiny second? But when art class ends in a splatter of red, green, and orange paint, Mia panics and hides the jacket in the strangest spot ever. Can she fix the mess before Lily finds out? This decodable reader practices silent e words such as ‘hide,’ ‘make,’ ’nice,’ ‘shape,’ and ‘smiles.’
Don't Trip, Tim!
Tim has a SECRET mission, and it’s all for Jan’s big birthday surprise! There’s a cake to taste, balloons to puff up, a shiny new bike, and a pretty red dress - but someone has to carry the whole wobbly pile into the party room without tripping. Can Tim balance every single gift? Will the boxes topple before Jan walks through the door? This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘bike,’ ‘cake,’ ‘ride,’ ‘smile,’ and ‘prize.’
Don't Go Again!
Tina has a mountain of chores and a silly song to sing while she works - but what happens when a tiny elf in the cornfield sings her song right back? With one snap of magical fingers, every job is done! But can Tina keep her new friend, or will the elf vanish as quickly as she appeared? This decodable reader practices the ‘sh’ sound in words like ‘brush,’ ‘dish,’ ‘shines,’ ‘shore,’ and ‘wish.’
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 practises open syllables in words like ‘by,’ ‘go,’ ‘he,’ ’no,’ and ‘so.’
Tip and Fig Think Big!
Tip the Dog and Fig Pig are both walking home along the path when the sky goes dark. What could be big enough to blot out the sun? When a real live dragon swoops down, Fig Pig waves his tiny sword and Tip tries to think of a plan - but can two small friends really outwit a giant beast, or will they need some unexpected help? This decodable reader practises the ’th’ sound in words such as ‘both,’ ‘path,’ ’that,’ and ’think.’
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a 1st grader be able to read?
By the end of first grade, most children can read simple sentences containing short vowel words, basic consonant blends, and common sight words. Jeanne Chall’s Stages of Reading Development (1983) places first graders in the ‘initial reading and decoding’ stage, where the primary task is learning to match letters to sounds. The books here are organized to follow this progression — see our scope and sequence for details.
How do decodable books help 1st graders learn to read?
Decodable books use only letter-sound patterns a child has already been taught, which means children can genuinely sound out the words on the page rather than guessing. A meta-analysis by Ehri et al. (2001) found that systematic phonics instruction — the approach decodable books are built on — produces significant improvements in word reading and comprehension for children in grades K through 6. Learn more about what phonics is and why it matters.
How can I support my 1st grader's reading at home?
The most effective approach is regular practice with books at the right level — challenging enough to build new skills, but easy enough that your child can read most words independently. The National Reading Panel (2000) found that guided oral reading — where children read aloud and receive feedback — leads to clear improvements in fluency and comprehension. See our tips for boosting reading motivation.
What topics interest 1st graders in books?
First graders are typically drawn to animals, adventure, humor, family stories, and fantasy. Offering a range of topics helps children discover what they enjoy — and a child who is interested in what they are reading will read more often. You can filter books by topic to find stories about subjects your child already loves.
Can my 1st grader download these books for free?
Many books are available on the Bookbot website, with a number of titles free to read online. Select books also offer PDF downloads or read-aloud features — useful for building familiarity with new words before reading independently.