Children's Books for 1st Graders
No Pals on the Path
Tig loves her quiet pond - no noisy pals, no fuss, just sunshine and snacks… or so she thinks. But when she tries to grab a mouse, a fawn, and a whole herd of deer, every creature bolts before she can blink. Why does everyone run from Tig? And when the forest goes silent, will she still want to be all alone? This decodable reader practises the ’th’ sound in words like ’this,’ ’them,’ ‘path,’ and ’through.’
A Snug Hut for Us!
Poor Pokey just wants a snug spot to sleep, but everywhere he goes, the other cats shout “No room!” Can one soggy little cat find somewhere warm before the storm rolls in? And when lightning cracks the sky and those same grumpy cats come running for help, what will Pokey do? A cozy, rainy-night tale about kindness when it matters most. This decodable reader practices short u with j, v, y in words like ‘jumps,’ ‘hut,’ ‘snug,’ ‘yelps,’ and ‘us.’
Nan Kept It!
Where could a favorite yellow yo-yo disappear to? One little detective hunts high and low - dumping the toy box, shoving the armchair, even crawling behind the TV with dust bunnies in her hair! But when she steps outside for some fresh air, she spots something swinging in a big, happy circle on the hill. Could Grandma really be the sneaky thief? This decodable reader practices VCC/CVCC words such as ‘find,’ ‘hand,’ ‘hold,’ ‘kept,’ and ‘park.’
Thumps in the Dark!
Ned’s tiny green seedlings are finally poking through the dirt, and his very first wheat field is almost ready. But what happens when a hissing creeper sneaks in after dark? Can Ned and The Book save the farm before the whole field goes BOOM? And if everything blows up, will Ned have the courage to start again and thwart those sneaky creepers for good? This decodable reader practises the th sound in words like ’thick,’ ’thumps,’ ’thwart,’ ’thrill,’ and ’thanks.'
Not One Drop!
Girl is thirsty - the thirstiest she has ever been! But when she grabs her pail, only one tiny drop falls out. Where has all the water gone? The pump is dry, the tank is empty, and even the river has nothing left to give. Will Girl find a drink before she gives up? And why won’t that one little cloud do its job? This decodable reader focuses on the ‘wh’ sound in words like ‘what,’ ‘when,’ ‘where,’ and ‘while.’
Not That Kind of Fan!
Fish is grumpy. He’s tired of swimming, tired of bubbles, tired of fins! Could he be a rabbit instead? A bird? When a smiling cat says she’s a HUGE fan of fish, it sounds too good to be true - but is it? And who might become Fish’s very best chum in the end? Dive in and find out! This decodable reader practises the ‘ch’ sound in words like ‘chum,’ ‘munch,’ ‘catch,’ ‘watch,’ and ’teach.’
Duck on the Hunt!
Dora the duckling goes EVERYWHERE with her big red umbrella - to breakfast, to the park, even to the bath! But one rainy morning, it’s vanished. Can a squirrel’s bushy tail, a frog’s lily pad, or a mouse’s tin can help a very soggy duck find what she’s lost? Will Dora ever track down her favourite polka-dot treasure? This decodable reader practises short u with j, v, y in words like ‘junk,’ ‘just,’ ‘up,’ and ‘yup.’
Pups Get Fish
Mum Otter has a big day planned for her wiggly pack of pups - swimming, hiding, and finally, FISHING! But can four bouncy little otters stay still long enough to learn? What happens when they spot a net in the river, a snapping trap in the grass, and a crocodile with its jaws wide open? And will anyone actually catch a fish before lunch? This decodable reader practises the ck phonogram in words like ‘pack,’ ‘quick,’ ‘snack,’ ‘rock,’ and ’tricks.’
Check the Lake, Ken!
Have you ever wondered what hides in the middle of a lake? When Ken and his friend push a little boat off the dock, they spot horns, shadows, and something with huge, sharp teeth rising from the water! Is it a monster, a giant fish, or something else entirely? Grab the oars and paddle along to find out! This decodable reader practices the ‘ch’ sound in words like ‘check,’ ‘chunk,’ ‘munch,’ ‘branch,’ and ‘cheer.’
Don't Sink, Mum!
Clank! The school bell rings and every mum and dad in Animal Town starts to run - but poor Mama Bear is always, always last. Can she really learn to ride a wobbly red bike without tumbling into the river? Will Baby Bear ever be picked up on time? Hop on, hold tight, and find out how fast a brave bear can pedal! This decodable reader practises the nk sound in words like ‘bank,’ ‘blink,’ ‘honk,’ ‘pink,’ and ‘clunk.’