SEL Books for 1st Graders
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.’
Bees Sting Zom!
Zom the zombie is tired of neighbours who only groan about brains - he wants a REAL friend! When he hears a buzz and finds a golden hive humming in a birch tree, he’s sure he’s struck friendship gold. But will shaking the tree to say hello really bring the bees out to play? And what happens when a swarm with fangs comes zinging after him? This decodable reader practises the ’ng’ phonogram in words such as ‘sing,’ ‘spring,’ ‘hangs,’ ‘wings,’ and ‘sting.’
Thanks to the Rat
Diane is the proudest litterbug around - until one morning, a stinky, buzzing cloud of rubbish appears above her bed and refuses to leave! What happens when the trash cloud follows her to school in front of all her friends? Can a lonely girl and one brave little rat figure out how to make the mess disappear before it swallows the whole park? This decodable reader practises the ’th’ sound in words like ’thank,’ ’that,’ ’think,’ and ‘with.’
Lost in the Dark
A quick bet, a bold shortcut, and a path that twists deeper into the trees - what could possibly go wrong? When the mist rolls in and the forest turns from friendly to strange, three brave kids find themselves somewhere they never meant to be. Will they find a way out before the night gets too dark? A cosy-scary adventure about friendship, courage, and sticking together. This decodable reader practises VCC/CVCC words including ‘fast,’ ‘gasp,’ ‘held,’ ’lamp,’ and ‘romp.’
Me First!
Rabbit has a big, brilliant plan - he’s going to be FIRST at EVERYTHING on his very first day of school! First through the door, first across the finish line, first to finish his painting, his story, his maths. But what happens when Bee beats him to class, Turtle beats him in the race, and Dog paints a masterpiece? Could there be something Rabbit is first at after all? This decodable reader practises the sh sound in words like ‘brush,’ ‘dash,’ ‘flash,’ ‘share,’ and ‘wish.’
My Comb
Rooster has a bold red comb that shines in the sun. Peacock struts with feathers like a rainbow. Heron stands tall by the pond with a crown of her own. But what happens when a boy asks each proud bird to share? Will anyone trade their crown, or must he find another way to feel just as grand? Grab your scissors and find out! This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘make,’ ‘shine,’ ‘prize,’ ‘wide,’ and ’trade.’
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.’
Is Fast Best?
What happens when an ambulance who dreams of speed finally meets a driver as wild as her dreams? Zooming past cars feels amazing at first, but when the road turns to dirt and things start to bump and rattle, is fast really better than careful? Join one shiny ambulance as she learns that her slow, steady driver might just be the best of all. This decodable reader practises VCC/CVCC words like ‘fast,’ ‘bump,’ ‘held,’ ‘kind,’ and ‘best.’
No Pals on the Path
Tig loves her quiet pond - no noisy pals, no fuss, just sunshine and snacks… or so she thinks. But when she tries to grab a mouse, a fawn, and a whole herd of deer, every creature bolts before she can blink. Why does everyone run from Tig? And when the forest goes silent, will she still want to be all alone? This decodable reader practises the ’th’ sound in words like ’this,’ ’them,’ ‘path,’ and ’through.’
A Snug Hut for Us!
Poor Pokey just wants a snug spot to sleep, but everywhere he goes, the other cats shout “No room!” Can one soggy little cat find somewhere warm before the storm rolls in? And when lightning cracks the sky and those same grumpy cats come running for help, what will Pokey do? A cozy, rainy-night tale about kindness when it matters most. This decodable reader practices short u with j, v, y in words like ‘jumps,’ ‘hut,’ ‘snug,’ ‘yelps,’ and ‘us.’