Nature Books for 2nd Graders
SOS in the Sand
What happens when a small child spots something big and wrong by the shore? When a grey factory starts pouring dark muck into the waves, one brave kid grabs a stick and writes three giant letters in the sand. Will anyone see the message? Will anyone listen? Sometimes the smallest voices have the loudest things to say, if only the sky is willing to look down. This decodable reader practises the ’ea’ sound in words like ‘beach,’ ‘sea,’ ‘clean,’ and ‘speak.’
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.’
The Bucket Splashes!
Ned has a brand new house, a very bossy magic book, and a belly full of nothing but apples. Can he really grow his own food from tiny seeds hidden in the grass? And when The Book sends him lugging a bucket of seawater across the whole field, will Ned’s arms survive the journey? A funny tale of hard work, wobbly green shoots, and one very unhelpful book. This decodable reader practices es plurals in words such as ‘bunches,’ ‘patches,’ ‘searches,’ and ‘splashes.’
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.’
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.’
Bigger Blossoms!
Ladybug has found a teeny, tiny vine in the yard, and she is certain she can grow it into the most magnificent garden anyone has ever seen. But have you ever watched a vine climb a little too quickly? What happens when golden blossoms, fat pumpkins, and curling tendrils start wrapping around everything in sight? Snail tries to warn her, but Ladybug has big plans! This decodable reader practices suffixes in words like ‘brightly,’ ‘proudly,’ ‘quickly,’ ‘growers,’ and ’lovely.’
There Are Ants!
Ants! Hundreds of them, marching in a long brown row straight across the yard. Where are they all going, and what are they hunting for? One curious kid bends down low to watch the tiny army at work, following them from the grass to the skates, past a pile of treats, and right into the kitchen. How much can one little ant carry, anyway? This decodable reader practises the ‘ow’ sound in words like ‘brown,’ ‘down,’ ‘crowd,’ ‘slow,’ and ‘wow.’
Trees Don't Take Naps!
What happens when a girl decides she’s a tree and trees absolutely, positively do NOT take naps? With leaf-hair dancing in the breeze, she zooms past bushes, bosses a whole row of trees around, and hides from Dad in the sneakiest spots. But what happens when the path disappears and her legs start feeling oh-so-heavy? This decodable reader practises ci/si/ti making /sh/ in words like ‘fraction,’ ‘attention,’ ‘sensation,’ ‘mission,’ and ‘motionless.’
We've Got Work to Do!
Who wakes up the farm before the sun is even awake? Who guards the gate at midnight, carries tiny scrolls across the sky, or weaves a nest fit for a palace? From busy bees and humble earthworms to patient camels crossing the desert, every creature has a job to do - and some jobs are quieter than others. Can you guess which worker has the hardest job of all? This decodable reader practises 3+ syllable words such as ‘magnificent,’ ‘dependable,’ ‘remarkable,’ and ‘diligently.’
Which Way Is Home?
Manta Ray is the greatest navigator in the sea - or so he likes to say. But when a sudden storm turns the bluish water to chaos, can the proudest ray in the ocean find his way back home? Who will help him when he finally spots that familiar neon lighthouse beam? Dive in and see! This decodable reader practises vowel team syllables in words like ‘bluish,’ ’neon,’ ‘quiet,’ and ‘react.’