Fantasy 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 magical fantasy books for 1st graders ages 5-6. Our children’s books feature dragons, wizards, and enchanted worlds perfect for beginning readers. These picture books and storybooks build reading confidence through imaginative adventures.
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.’
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.’
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.’
Up Came a Flame!
When the sun beats down and Mum gets too hot on the farm, Giraffe hatches a plan so fine it just might be silly - what if he climbed up high and ate the sun whole? But what happens when the sky goes dark as a cave and his tummy starts to glow with a hot little flame? Can Bear think of something brave to save the day? This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘ate,’ ‘brave,’ ‘flame,’ ‘ripe,’ and ‘whole.’
That's My Bell!
Dibs the little dragon has the shiniest, jingliest bell in the world - until one clumsy tumble sends it bouncing straight into Dragon School! Can he sneak past the guard dragons, wait patiently in line, and rescue his treasure before a cheeky purple dragon snatches it away? And what happens when Dibs discovers he might have a tiny spark of fire inside him? This decodable reader focuses on the ’th’ sound in words like ’thud,’ ’thumps,’ ’thanks,’ and ‘breath.’
Ned and the Thing with Teeth
Ned has built thick walls, but can they really stop every mob? When a huge iron thing on the path gives him an idea, Ned sets to work - stacking slabs with a thump, planting seeds in the earth, and carving sharp teeth into a pumpkin. But will his strange creation actually come to life? This decodable reader practises the ’th’ sound in words like ’thick,’ ‘path,’ ’teeth,’ ’thump,’ and ’thanks.’
Hold On, Cam!
What happens when Cam drifts off to sleep and suddenly feels lighter than air? Up, up he goes - past bushes, past birds, past an eagle and a plane all shouting the same warning: hold on tight! But hold on to what? Cam zooms higher and higher, whirling past clouds and rockets and even the stars themselves. Will he remember what he’s really holding on to? This decodable reader practises the wh phonogram in words like ‘what,’ ‘when,’ ‘whirl,’ and ‘whole.’
Brat Cat Gets Her Wings
When Fig Pig gives Brat Cat a brand new pair of wings for her birthday, she’s not so sure about this whole flying thing. What happens when you leap off a very tall, very scary cliff with a friend who promises it’s the simplest thing in the world? Can Brat Cat find the courage to jump, soar, and swoop through the clouds? This decodable reader practises the ’ng’ sound in words like ‘wings,’ ‘spring,’ ‘sings,’ and ‘bang.’
Dig Through the Stone!
Diamond sword? Check. Diamond armour? Check. But to beat the Ender Dragon, our hero needs something tougher - Netherite! And that only comes from one place: the scary, lava-filled Nether. Can a brave miner dodge grumpy pigmen, dig through endless stone, and haul home enough ancient debris to craft the ultimate armour? With CLANG, THUMP, and CRACK around every corner, this adventure is packed with action. This decodable reader practises the th sound in words like ’through,’ ’that,’ ’thump,’ and ‘with.’
No Fun With the Mouse!
Meet Hantu, a playful creature who loves to pop up and surprise everyone he meets! But his fun-loving antics don’t always go as planned. Will Hantu find a friend who actually enjoys his games, or will he keep searching for someone who thinks he’s fun instead of frightening?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do fantasy books for 1st graders develop imagination while strengthening decoding skills?
Fantasy books for 1st graders transport children to magical worlds that demand active visualization, which deepens cognitive engagement with the text. Research on narrative absorption (Frontiers, 2022) shows that stories that immerse readers lead to deeper processing and better comprehension. On Bookbot, fantasy picture books for first grade pair imaginative content with decodable text matched to 1st grade phonics patterns like CVC words and consonant blends, so children build decoding skills within stories that capture their imagination. Learn more about what is phonics.
What phonics level should fantasy stories for 5 year olds be written at?
Fantasy stories for 5 year olds in 1st grade should be written at a level that matches Chall’s (1983) initial reading and decoding stage, focusing on CVC words, consonant blends, and digraphs. Ehri et al. (2001) confirmed that children learn to read most effectively when text difficulty aligns with their current phonics knowledge. Bookbot’s fantasy books for beginning readers follow a structured scope and sequence so parents can select fantasy stories at exactly the right level, and books are available to browse on the Bookbot website by grade and skill level.
Can fantasy picture books for first grade help reluctant readers engage with books?
Fantasy picture books for first grade are particularly effective for reluctant readers because magical and imaginative elements create a strong pull to keep turning pages. Murphy Odo (2024) found that interest-driven reading materials significantly improve engagement in children who resist reading. Bookbot’s fantasy books for 1st graders use decodable text so even hesitant readers can experience success with every story. For more strategies on motivating reluctant readers, see our article on reluctant readers.
How do I choose between fantasy and fairy tale books for my 1st grader?
Fantasy books for 1st graders feature original imaginative worlds with dragons, wizards, and magical creatures, while fairy tale books retell classic stories with predictable structures. Both genres build comprehension and decoding skills, but Springer (2022) notes that narrative variety strengthens a child’s ability to understand different text types. Bookbot offers both fantasy and fairy tale picture books for beginning readers, all organized by phonics level, so you can follow your child’s interests. See our tips on 8 ways to boost reading motivation.