Children's Books for 2nd Graders
Ned Chases a Zombie!
Ned has been digging for three whole days, and at last something glitters on the quiet cave floor - a diamond! But before he can even celebrate, a sneaky zombie shoves him into the lava and snatches his prize. Can Ned chase the thief through skeletons, spiders, and exploding creepers to win his shiny gem back? This decodable reader practises vowel team syllables in words like ‘create,’ ‘giant,’ ‘react,’ and ‘ruin.’
The Big Sneeze
Jack is stuck in the grumpiest mood ever, frowning at flowers, butterflies, and even the sun itself. But what happens when his friends Skel and Zom drag him deep into a bamboo forest? Could a munching panda mum, a cake-loving baby, and one enormous, slime-splattered sneeze finally crack Jack’s sour face? Get ready for giggles, gasps, and the grossest surprise in the whole forest! This decodable reader practises the igh phonogram in words like ‘bright,’ ‘flight,’ ‘fright,’ ’night,’ and ‘sight.’
He Spied a Big Barn
Rabbit thinks his cosy farm is the best place in the whole wide world - until one bumpy basket ride sends him tumbling into the wild unknown! With new smells, a big red barn, and a very growly dog blocking his path, will Rabbit be brave enough to find his way back home? Can an explorer rabbit outrun trouble? This decodable reader practises the ‘ie’ phonogram in words like ‘cried,’ ‘spied,’ ‘flies,’ and ‘shriek.’
Diya and the Bug
Diya knows more about butterflies than anyone in her whole school - but she’s far too shy to say a word in class. What happens when her teacher takes the class to the park, and Diya spots a fat striped caterpillar wriggling along a leaf? Could this be the day she finally finds her voice? This decodable reader practises the le/al/el/il endings in words like ‘gentle,’ ‘sparkle,’ ‘giggle,’ ‘crumpled,’ and ‘medal.’
The Cursed Emerald Part 1
CHINK, CHINK, CHINK - just another boring day of mining coal, until a strange glowing emerald changes everything. One touch, one Creeper blast, and suddenly our miner is standing under unfamiliar stars with monsters closing in. Where did the emerald send them? And what will happen when night falls in the jungle? This decodable reader practices ci/si/ti making /sh/ in words like ‘action,’ ‘caution,’ ‘direction,’ and ‘hesitation.’
The Dog Got Out!
When Mum heads to work, one clever little dog has big plans - and they definitely don’t involve staying in the yard! Can he leap the fence, find his pals, and sneak back home before anyone notices he’s gone? With wagging tails, wiggling bottoms, and a surprise sing-along next door, every day is an adventure waiting to happen. What mischief will he get up to today? This decodable reader practises le/al/el/il endings in words like ‘kennel,’ ’little,’ ‘purple,’ ‘wiggle,’ and ‘scrambled.’
The Door
One little rule: check the door before bed. So how did Zom and Skel forget? When monsters invade the house in the dead of night, the boys have to grab their weapons, call Bones and Starfang, and battle zombies, ghasts, and a creeper that might just blow the whole place up. Can they clear their home before sunrise? This decodable reader practises prefixes in words like ‘invade,’ ‘reload,’ ‘unleash,’ ‘retreat,’ and ‘defend.’
The Dump
Leo and Mia live at the quiet edge of town, in a yard that looks like a giant ruin of broken toys. Then a kind lady named Nia arrives with a box of books and a black cat called Riot. But what happens when Nia doesn’t show up one week? Can two kids find her in all the chaos of the big town? This decodable reader practises vowel team syllables in words like ‘giant,’ ’lion,’ ‘quiet,’ and ‘riot.’
The Fawn Chewed My Herbs!
Meg is the busiest vet in the whole forest, and today her most important jar of medicine is nearly empty! Can she hurry deep into the woods, find the rare herb, and make it home before anything else goes wrong? With a scratchy monkey, a hurt bird, and one very hungry fawn along the way, Meg’s simple trip turns into a wild adventure. This decodable reader practises the ’ew’ phonogram in words like ‘blew,’ ‘brew,’ ‘chew,’ and ‘phew.’
He Tried, No One Heard
Iron Golem has a speech all ready, a friendly wave, and a heart full of hope - but what happens when nobody in the village seems to notice him at all? Not the villagers, not the cats, not even the pigs. Can a lonely golem find someone who will truly listen, even when skeletons shriek and arrows fly? Follow him from sunny streets to torchlit caves in this gentle tale of belonging. This decodable reader practises the ie phonogram in words such as ‘chief,’ ‘field,’ ‘shields,’ and ‘spies.’