Fantasy Books for 1st Graders
The Junk Got My Cat!
Ben’s cat has missed dinner - and that NEVER happens! When he follows muddy paw prints to a giant, googly-eyed pile of rubbish, he spots his furry friend perched happily on top like a queen. Then the pile WALKS AWAY with her! Can Ben outsmart a walking heap of junk before his cat vanishes forever? This decodable reader practises open syllables through words such as ‘go,’ ‘my,’ ‘sky,’ and ‘so.’
The Best Hat!
Rob, Pam and Tim love causing mischief on the farm - until Dad’s magical mirror shows them three warty, green-skinned monsters staring right back! Can a fancy hat fix it? What about a super-speedy sprint, or the friendliest smile ever? The kids try everything to escape the horrible reflection, but the mirror keeps showing something nobody wants to see. What’s really going on? This decodable reader practises VCC/CVCC words such as ‘best,’ ‘gasp,’ ‘gold,’ and ‘kind.’
The Cursed Emerald Part 1
CHINK, CHINK, CHINK goes Steve’s pickaxe - just another boring day in the mine. But what happens when a strange green gem starts glowing in the wall? One touch, one flash, and suddenly Steve is standing under the stars with monsters closing in from every side. Can he outrun a spider, a skeleton, and a baby zombie riding a chicken? This decodable reader practices the ’nk’ sound in words like ‘clink,’ ‘sinks,’ ‘bank,’ ’thank,’ and ‘wink.’
Don Lost His Cap!
Don has found the perfect soft blue cap at the market - and he loves it more than anything! But what happens when a sudden gust of wind whisks it high into an elm tree? Don tries everything to get it back, but that night something magical catches his eye in the sky. Could the moon itself be the cap thief? This decodable reader practises VCC/CVCC words such as ‘fast,’ ‘held,’ ‘kept,’ and ‘wind.’
The Girl and the Whales
Sara loves to float in her cool, clear stream, dreaming of faraway seas. But what happens when a tiny, bossy fish bursts out of the weeds and begs her to follow? Where will the current carry her - and whose sparkling kingdom waits in the deepest, darkest part of the ocean? Could a girl from a little creek really become queen of the whole sea? This decodable reader practises the wh phonogram through words like ‘whales,’ ‘what,’ ‘whirl,’ ‘whose,’ and ‘whole.’
Up and Up
Bun the yellow rabbit balloon has one big dream - to float up, up, UP, away from strings and rules and anyone telling him to hold still. But what happens when the sky turns out to be full of swooping birds, scratchy kites, and scary flames? Will Bun ever find someone kind enough to hold his string again? This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘came,’ ‘drove,’ ‘flame,’ ‘rode,’ and ‘home.’
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.’
Find My Spark!
Dragon’s big fire test is tomorrow, and he’s SURE he’s a natural - so why bother practising when there are cheese puffs to eat? But when the big moment arrives, only a sad puff of smoke comes out! Can a friendly chilli plant in funky sunglasses help Dragon find his spark before it’s too late? Will he ever light up the sky? This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘flame,’ ‘brave,’ ‘bite,’ ‘place,’ and ‘save.’
Save Us, Brave Mage!
Every iron golem in Canville has vanished overnight - and without them, who will stand guard when the monsters come crawling out after dark? Can the Mischievous Mage and his friends find pumpkins to build new guardians before sunset? With rocket-powered flights, spooky caves, and a surprise pumpkin-pie baker on a sunny hillside, the race is on! This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘woke,’ ‘came,’ ‘brave,’ ‘ripe,’ and ‘smile.’
A Big Job for Red
When Shawn tumbles into bed with a brand new box of pencils, he has no idea what happens after dark. Why are the pencils creeping out of their box? What is that strange book whispering to them from the desk? And can a nervous little red pencil find the courage to colour a whole world before morning comes? This decodable reader practises short u with j, v, y in words like ‘bud,’ ‘gulp,’ ‘fun,’ and ‘must.’