Family Books for 1st Graders
Butter and the Big Prank!
Bon’s summer holiday is off to the worst start ever. Mum is busy, Dad is busy, and Su won’t even look up from her paper pinwheels. Will anyone in this house ever play with him? Just when Bon is ready to give up, a brilliant idea pops into his head - and it involves Butter, the family parrot, a polka-dot hat, and a very big secret. This decodable reader practises the ’nk’ sound in words like ‘wink,’ ‘stink,’ ’think,’ ‘blink,’ and ‘prank.’
Min Did It!
Today is Min’s very first day of school, and her shiny new uniform is laid out on the bed - but has Min ever done up a button in her life? She dashes from Mummy to Daddy to Grandpa, Grandma, and big brother Tim, but everyone is far too busy to stop. Can one small girl tackle a tricky shirt all by herself? This decodable reader practises VCC/CVCC words such as ‘fast,’ ‘help,’ ‘kept,’ and ‘went.’
I Can Do It!
Today is the big day! Can you show Mom every single thing you can do? From stirring spice in the kitchen to watering a rose, from scrubbing suds to clipping clothes on the line, there’s so much to share. But when Mom brings out the bike, will a wobbly tummy win, or will it be time to glide with pride? A warm, cheerful story about growing up and showing off. This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘bike,’ ‘glide,’ ‘smile,’ and ‘pride.’
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 practises open syllables in words like ‘go,’ ‘my,’ ‘sky,’ ’try,’ and ‘we.’
Jump, Bop, Jump!
Bop can’t wait for the big parade, but his feet have other plans! Every time he tries to jig, he bumps into a shrub or gets stuck in the mud. Yuck! Will Bop ever learn to jump and jog along to the beat? Or will his wobbly feet spoil the fun? Big brother Bud has one last trick up his sleeve… A decodable reader practising short u with j, v, y in words like ‘jump,’ ‘hugs,’ ‘yuck,’ and ‘just.’
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.’
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.’
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.’
Lost in the Dust
Rooster has rules, a proud chest, and a crow loud enough to wake the stars - but what happens when his farmer leaves him all alone on a dusty street corner? Cold, hungry, and chased from every doorstep, Rooster is sure he doesn’t need anyone. Then a kind man and his wife offer him corn and a cozy home. Could this scruffy bird finally belong somewhere? This decodable reader practises short u with j, v, y in words like ‘jump,’ ‘dust,’ ‘yelps,’ and ‘cuff.’