Animal Books for 2nd Graders
That Pig Wants My Carrot!
Ned the farmer wants to grow something new on his farm, and what he finds are funny little orange things called carrots! But carrots smell amazing to pigs - and one sneaky pink pig is following him home. Can Ned keep his carrot safe? Can he build a pen strong enough to protect his new piggy friends when the monsters come out at night? This decodable reader practices suffixes in words like ‘farmer,’ ‘kindly,’ ’loudly,’ and ‘stronger.’
That Pile Stole My Cat!
When Ben calls his cat for dinner, not a whisker stirs - so where has she gone? Following paw prints through the soil, Ben finds his cat perched like a queen on a huge pile of junk. Then the pile BLINKS. Then it WALKS. Can Ben rescue one very happy cat from a rubbish-munching monster that just keeps growing? This decodable reader practises the oi/oy phonogram in words such as ‘soil,’ ‘coin,’ ‘joy,’ ’noise,’ and ’toys.’
That's My Fish!
High in her favourite tree, Mother Crow loves to caw louder than anyone in the neighbourhood - but her three hungry chicks don’t want songs, they want breakfast! Can she swoop across the city and spot something tasty before the chicks bawl the whole tree down? And when a lady strolls by with a basket of silver fish, will this clever crow be quick enough to grab one? This decodable reader practises the aw/au phonogram in words like ‘caw,’ ‘claws,’ ‘hauls,’ and ‘awe.’
Boy's Cocoa!
Rain is drumming on the roof, puddles are calling, and Boy just wants a hot cup of coffee and a good book - but have you ever tried to keep a coffee safe from a muddy bull, a curious cat, and a very nosy rooster? From splashing in puddles to singing in the rain, what will Boy do when his animal friends want a sip of everything he has? This decodable reader practises 2-syllable open words such as ‘hello,’ ‘open,’ ’tiny,’ and ‘super.’
That's MY Pouch!
Mum’s pouch is the cosiest, warmest spot in the whole rainforest - and it belongs to ME. So why, after a day of collecting feathers, berries, and kapok flowers for my special collection, won’t Mum let me climb in for my nap? What could possibly be more important than me? A joyful rainforest tale about family, change, and a very big surprise. This decodable reader practises ci/si/ti making /sh/ in words like ‘special,’ ‘ancient,’ ‘precious,’ and ‘collection.’
That's Not a Horse!
Ned’s mine is bursting with gold and redstone, but his tiny pockets can’t hold it all! What he really needs is a big, strong helper to carry the shiny loot home. So he saddles up and sets off across the plains - but the little white creature he spots in the distance isn’t quite what he thinks. Can Ned find the perfect helper? This decodable reader practises le/al/el/il words such as ‘buckle,’ ‘sparkle,’ ‘gentle,’ ‘apple,’ and ‘saddle.’
That's Not a Rock!
Little Toman Fish is learning to hunt. His dad says be patient - but patience is BORING! Can a speedy little fish who hides behind the wrong rock, chases shrimp in circles, and crashes a kingfisher’s dinner ever learn to wait for his own? Dive into a watery adventure full of misses, surprises, and one very grumpy turtle. This decodable reader practises ci/si/ti making /sh/ in words like “patience,” “mission,” “commotion,” and “fascination.”
That's Not Jane!
Spot is the world’s greatest finder of things - lost socks, buried bones, you name it! So when he loses his girl Jane at the zoo, he knows he can track her down. But why does Jane suddenly have a long swishy tail? And fuzzy fingers? And gold stripes? Can Spot sniff out his real girl before the day is done? This decodable reader practises the ai/ay phonogram with words like ‘day,’ ‘stay,’ ’trail,’ ‘wait,’ and ‘way.’
That's Not My Home!
Bee is lost - completely, hopelessly lost! Luckily, a giant elephant says she’s great at finding things (she once found a peanut, after all). But is a bird’s nest really home for a bee? What about a dark cave full of glowing eyes? Can this unlikely duo stumble through the chaos and find where Bee truly belongs before someone else gets lost too? This decodable reader practises vowel team syllables in words like ‘giant,’ ‘quiet,’ ’neon,’ ‘duo,’ and ‘riot.’
The Beast in the Oaks
Prince Din just wants big leaves for his leaf ball - but the forest is full of dangerous things, and the guards refuse to go near it! When a huge striped tiger leaps out with a mighty growl, Prince Din runs deeper and deeper into the trees. Is the tiger really chasing him? Or could this fierce creature have a surprising secret? This decodable reader practises the oa phonogram in words like ‘coax,’ ‘croak,’ ‘groan,’ ‘road,’ and ‘roam.’