Animal Books for 2nd Graders
Skel and a Bright Squid
Skel the skeleton hasn’t picked up a paintbrush in years, but when a village art show opens to ANYONE, his bony fingers start to tingle. Out in the fields, he spots something shimmering in the lake - a sparkly squid with a very greedy appetite. What happens when Skel feeds it snacks of every colour? And will the villagers love his strange, bright new art? This decodable reader practises compound words such as ‘artwork,’ ‘sunlight,’ ‘seashore,’ and ‘rainbow.’
Snap! Missed Me!
Dan the monkey loves to play outside in the sunshine, leaping from branch to branch in search of the perfect crunchy leaf. But what happens when a giant fish with snapping jaws is waiting in the stream below? Can Dan dodge those teeth, or will his wild cartwheels land him headfirst into trouble? A cheeky, heart-thumping adventure full of swings, splashes, and near misses! This decodable reader builds confidence with compound words such as ‘sunshine,’ ‘daydream,’ ‘headfirst,’ and ‘midair.’
A Sea Beast on My Line!
Bob loves fishing at the dock - mostly because it’s the perfect spot for a nap! But what happens when something tugs hard on his line and drags him into the deep? Could the huge, hissing sea beast actually need his help? Join Bob on a wild underwater ride full of glowing eggs, tiny snakes, and a secret he’ll carry home in his hands. This decodable reader practises the ea phonogram in words like ‘beast,’ ’leaps,’ ‘great,’ and ‘dreams.’
Stand Still, Cows!
Ned is a brave fighter, but every monster battle leaves him covered in bumps and bruises! To stay safer, he needs leather armour - and that means catching cows. But have you ever tried sneaking up on a cow? They scatter, they run, and something green and lumpy might be creeping close behind. Can Ned become a quiet enough hunter to finally gather what he needs? This decodable reader practises suffixes in words such as ‘bravely,’ ‘faster,’ ‘hunter,’ ‘proudly,’ and ‘softly.’
Stop Daydreaming!
Have you ever daydreamed so hard you forgot where you were? Boy can’t stop! One minute he’s bouncing on the moon, the next he’s a woodpecker tapping a tree, a goat on a sunny hillside, or a mole munching earthworms underground. But what could possibly be strong enough to pull him out of his wildest daydream yet? Something warm and delicious is drifting through the doorway… This decodable reader practises compound words such as ‘backpack,’ ‘daydream,’ ‘goldfish,’ and ‘sunshine.’
Stop That Crab!
When Deb’s cat Jack leads her to a deep hole in the yard, what could possibly be hiding at the bottom? A crab with snapping claws, that’s what - and soon one hungry visitor becomes a whole scuttling family! Can Deb catch the tiny babies before they vanish into the sand, or will her garden turn into a crab playground? This decodable reader practises the ‘ie’ phonogram in words like ‘cries,’ ‘flies,’ ‘shield,’ ‘spied,’ and ’tries.’
Stop That Fox!
When a fluffy hen appears in the pig pen, Fig Pig and Tip can hardly believe their luck - fresh eggs every morning! But what happens when a sneaky fox sneaks under the fence and snatches a chicken right off the ground? Can Brat Cat chop down a tree fast enough to stop her? And does clever Fig Pig have a secret plan of his own? This decodable reader practises the ie phonogram in words like ‘cried,’ ‘field,’ ’thief,’ and ‘shriek.’
Stop That Hat!
Ray’s hat is the greatest hat ever made - with googly eyes, teal horns, and a long pink tail that swishes when he walks. But what happens when a mischievous cloud spots that silly tail flapping in the wind? Can Ray and his bull catch the hat before it sails away forever? A windy, wonderful adventure about holding on tight to the things you love. This decodable reader practises the ai/ay phonogram with words like ‘hay,’ ‘rain,’ ’trail,’ ‘stay,’ and ‘gray.’
Surprise, Kara!
Pip’s first birthday is tomorrow, and Kara has the most exciting plan ever - a surprise party with cake, balloons, and every single one of his favourite things! But what happens when a clever little puppy peeks around the doorway and hears every word? Can Kara still pull off a surprise when Pip has plans of his own? This decodable reader practises suffixes through words such as ‘boldly,’ ‘brightly,’ ‘cheerful,’ ‘proudly,’ and ‘softly.’
Tal and the New Calf
Tal only has one job: walk the new calf home before dark. Easy, right? But when his friends call him over for a game on the hill, the rope slips, the calf finds grass, and time slips away too. Can Tal tug, push, and heave a stubborn calf all the way home before the sun sinks? And what happens when a far-off moo drifts across the hills? This decodable reader practices the ’ew’ sound in words like ’new,’ ‘knew,’ ‘flew,’ ‘drew,’ and ‘phew.’