Animal Books for 1st Graders
A Tug On The Jug!
Meg is the best vet in the whole forest, and today her bag is packed with precious medicine for the animals who need her most. But what happens when a cheeky little fawn finds her bag first? Can Meg help a sore monkey, a hurt bird, and a tangled fawn when her jug of medicine is almost gone? A warm woodland adventure about kindness, stubbornness, and unexpected friends. This decodable reader practises short u with j, v, y in words like ‘jumps,’ ‘vet,’ ‘yuck,’ and ’tug.’
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 practises open syllables in words such as ‘by,’ ‘go,’ ‘he,’ ‘me,’ and ‘why.’
The Honking Gang
Jack, Zom, and Skel are splashing in the pink evening sea when they notice something strange - where have all the fish gone? A dark shape stirs on the ocean floor, and suddenly a gang of honking axolotls comes rocketing up through the kelp! Can anyone be brave enough to face the Lotl Gang? Maybe it’s time to call in someone who is never, ever scared. This decodable reader practises the nk phonogram in words like ‘blink,’ ‘clunk,’ ‘skunk,’ ’think,’ and ‘wink.’
The Nest
Bird has waited three long weeks for her eggs to hatch, and today is the day! But when her tummy rumbles and she sneaks off the nest for just a quick snack, a big, curious dog comes sniffing around her hidden eggs. Can Bird get back in time? What will the dog do when the chicks start to hatch? And who will the tiny chicks call Mum? This decodable reader practises VCC/CVCC words such as ’nest,’ ‘fast,’ ‘felt,’ ‘help,’ and ‘went.’
The Quest
Little Snap is setting off on the biggest adventure of her life! What is the most amazing thing in the whole world? Can a small creature really find it in such a big, big sea? Swim along as Snap zigs and zags through rivers, meets new friends, leaps beneath the stars, and discovers something wonderful waiting at the end of her journey. This decodable reader practises CCVC/CCVCC blends in words like ‘quest,’ ‘snap,’ ‘swims,’ ‘grins,’ and ‘plans.’
There Are Ants!
A thin path of ants is winding right across Seth’s yard - hundreds of them, maybe thousands! Where are they all marching to, and what on earth are they hunting for? Seth and his dog follow the tiny army as it climbs his things, storms the kitchen, and sniffs out every crumb it can find. But can Seth stop them before they reach his favourite snack? This decodable reader practises the ’th’ sound in words like ‘path,’ ’thanks,’ ’through,’ and ’things.’
Brat Cat and the Big Mess!
When Fig Pig tells Brat Cat about an island of cows with mushrooms on their heads, she has to see it for herself - but what happens when one small bag of wheat turns into a giant mooshroom mob? Can Brat Cat fix the mess she’s made before the whole hill runs out of food? Join her for a muddy, moo-filled adventure! This decodable reader practises CCVC/CCVCC blends with words like ‘drifts,’ ‘drops,’ ‘plant,’ ‘stand,’ and ‘press.’
Time to Work!
Who wakes the farm before the sun even peeks over the hill? Why does the brave dog stand guard with such a fierce snarl, and what tiny note is that pigeon carrying across the sky? From busy bees zipping to the hive to camels pacing past golden dunes, everyone has a job to do - but who works the hardest of all? This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘brave,’ ‘chase,’ ‘hive,’ ‘smile,’ and ’thrive.’
What Can He Spy?
Kojo has a reading test coming up, and his chest feels full of worry - until something magical happens. The moment he sounds out a word, it leaps right off the page! A chap with a cup, a hen with cheek, a cat dashing to lunch, and a monkey on a branch all spring to life. What other surprises will Kojo spy when he keeps on reading? This decodable reader practises the ‘ch’ sound in words like ‘chin,’ ‘chest,’ ‘branch,’ ’lunch,’ and ‘march.’
Think, Fish, Think!
Manta Ray is the greatest navigator in the sea - or so he says! But when a sudden storm flings him far from his coral, his caves, and his favourite sandy shortcuts, can he find his way back? Who will help a lost ray in strange blue water, and what sparkling surprise is waiting near the lighthouse beam? Dive in and find out! This decodable reader practises the ’nk’ sound in words like ‘blink,’ ‘pink,’ ‘sinks,’ ’thanks,’ and ’think.’