Family Books for 1st Graders

Bon’s summer holiday is off to the worst start ever. Mom 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 practices the ’nk’ sound in words like ‘wink,’ ‘stink,’ ’think,’ ‘blink,’ and ‘prank.’

Meet a playful kitten and its adventures! From napping on its back to chasing flies, this curious kitten explores the world with a furry pup pal by its side. Watch as kittens tumble through the park, get silly scares, and snuggle with their mom. What exciting adventures will this kitten discover next? A purr-fect story about growing up!

What would YOU do with hair big enough to block the sun, wrap you up in winter, or hide a whole dog inside? Every morning, it has a new plan - a puff, a twirl, a giant square for dress-up day! But when one big snip changes everything, will long hair ever come back? This decodable reader practices CCVC/CCVCC blends in words like ‘clips,’ ’twists,’ ‘grins,’ and ‘swirl.’

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 Gran really be the sneaky thief? This decodable reader practices VCC/CVCC words such as ‘find,’ ‘hand,’ ‘hold,’ ‘kept,’ and ‘park.’

Spencer loves sports and staying active! When disaster strikes his community, Spencer springs into action to help. Will Spencer and his friends be able to make a difference when families need them most? Join Spencer on an inspiring journey of community service and teamwork.

Kara has the best idea ever: a surprise birthday party for Pip, her happy little pup! But what happens when Pip overhears the secret and decides he wants to help too? Can a puppy really plan his own surprise? From a finch on a branch to a bunch of bouncy chums marching up the path, this cheerful tale is packed with wagging tails and giggles. This decodable reader practices the ‘ch’ sound in words like ‘branch,’ ‘bunch,’ ‘catch,’ and ‘march.’

High in a sunny tree, a proud mother crow has three hungry chicks yelling for breakfast - and nothing, not shiny buttons or sparkly beads, will fill their bellies! Can she swoop down and snatch a silvery fish before anyone notices? And when rival crows come screeching from the sky, will she hold on tight to her prize? A lively decodable reader practicing CCVC/CCVCC blends through words like ‘grab,’ ‘snap,’ ‘flap,’ ‘spins,’ and ‘stop.’

A hungry boy walks to his favorite fish and chip shop with money from his parents. He knows the friendly worker Will, but today he decides to be brave and try something new from the menu. Will the boy’s bold choice be delicious? Find out as he explores what number five has to offer!

The rains have not come, the goats are thin, and every morning Njoki must dig in the dry riverbed for water. So when she finds a strange carved gourd that pours clean water and even milk, is it a gift or a trap? What happens when a curious neighbor learns the gourd’s secret? A tender story of trust, mistakes, and mending. This book helps young readers practice the /ŋ/ sound with words like ‘sing’, ‘song’, ’long’, ‘strong’, and ‘spring’.

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 practices CCVC/CCVCC blends in words like ‘quest,’ ‘snap,’ ‘swims,’ ‘grins,’ and ‘plans.’