SEL Books for 1st Graders
Not That Kind of Fan!
Fish is grumpy. He’s tired of swimming, tired of bubbles, tired of fins! Could he be a rabbit instead? A bird? When a smiling cat says she’s a HUGE fan of fish, it sounds too good to be true - but is it? And who might become Fish’s very best chum in the end? Dive in and find out! This decodable reader practises the ‘ch’ sound in words like ‘chum,’ ‘munch,’ ‘catch,’ ‘watch,’ and ’teach.’
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.’
His Big Gig
Pang the cicada has the biggest job of his life - conducting the Dry Season Concert for the whole forest! His wings tremble, his knees wobble, and his glasses keep sliding down his nose. Can he get the choir to sing in tune? And what happens when something very wet and very unexpected starts falling from the sky at a DRY season concert? A decodable reader practicing open syllables in words like ‘be,’ ‘fly,’ ‘my,’ ’try,’ and ‘we.’
My Mum Has a Bub!
From the cosiest spot in the whole rainforest - Mum’s pouch - one little joey spies butterflies, berries, and blue feathers floating by. But what happens when Mum suddenly won’t let him climb back in? Could there be a secret tucked inside her pouch? Follow along as a curious kangaroo discovers that the best treasures sometimes come in very tiny packages. This decodable reader practises open syllables in words like ‘my,’ ‘go,’ ‘she,’ ‘shy,’ and ‘fly.’
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.’
She Tells Her Tale
Diya knows more about butterflies than anyone in her school - but she’s far too shy to say a word. Then, on a class trip to the park, a fat striped caterpillar inches right past her feet, and fourteen facts bubble up to the tip of her tongue. Could one tiny creature help Diya finally find her voice? This decodable reader practises silent e words like ‘smile,’ ‘glide,’ ‘gaze,’ and ’tale.’
The Dump
Two kids live beside a vast dump piled high with junk - but could a kind visitor with a box of books change everything? When she stops coming one week, the kids start to sulk. Something must be wrong. Can they rush into the big, busy town and find her before it’s too late? A warm tale about friendship, courage, and the magic of stories. This decodable reader builds short u with j, v, y through words like ‘junk,’ ‘hug,’ ‘sulk,’ ‘vast,’ and ‘rush.’
The Bold One Next Door
Iron Golem has a speech ready, a friendly wave, and a very big heart - but has anyone in the village actually noticed him? He tries the cats. He tries the pigs. He even builds a wall tall enough to stop a sneaky skeleton. So why won’t anyone stop to listen, and could a lonely golem ever find someone who truly sees him? This decodable reader practises VCC/CVCC words including ‘bold,’ ‘felt,’ ‘help,’ ’next,’ and ‘rest.’
The Brave Lamp
Out past the last road, in a little cabin in the woods, Cam has a good little lamp that helps him chase frogs and read stories after dark. But what happens when bright electric lights arrive and Cam forgets all about his faithful flame? Will the lonely little lamp ever shine again? Snuggle in and find out why some friends glow brightest when you need them most. This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘brave,’ ‘flame,’ ‘home,’ ‘safe,’ and ‘while.’
The Honking Gang
Jack, Zom, and Skel are splashing in the pink evening sea when they notice something strange - where have all the fish gone? A dark shape stirs on the ocean floor, and suddenly a gang of honking axolotls comes rocketing up through the kelp! Can anyone be brave enough to face the Lotl Gang? Maybe it’s time to call in someone who is never, ever scared. This decodable reader practises the nk phonogram in words like ‘blink,’ ‘clunk,’ ‘skunk,’ ’think,’ and ‘wink.’