SEL Books for 2nd Graders
Pedal, Mama, Pedal!
When the school bell rings in Animal Town, every mum and dad zooms off to pick up their kids - every single one except poor Mama Bear, who always arrives last. Can a bear who has never ridden before really learn to pedal? And what happens when wobbly wheels meet a brave heart and a cheering cub? Hop on and find out! This decodable reader practises suffixes in words like ’loudly,’ ‘proudly,’ ‘happiness,’ and ‘hopeless.’
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.’
Brothers and Sisters Are Beasts!
When three wild siblings sneak a peek at Dad’s magic mirror, they expect to see treasure - but horrid green monsters stare back instead! Why does the mirror show trolls with horns and jagged grins? Can a fancy jacket or a big smile fix what’s staring back from the glass? Or is something else going on inside these rotten little troublemakers? This decodable reader practises VC/CV syllables in words like ‘bucket,’ ‘pumpkin,’ ‘fancy,’ and ‘jacket.’
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 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.’
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.’
The Good Lamp
Far from town, in a little hut in the woods, Cam has a tiny lamp with the warmest glow. Every night it helps him catch frogs, read his book, and chase away the dark - until a bright new electric light arrives and Cam forgets all about his small friend. Can a little lamp still matter when everything around it shines brighter? This decodable reader practises the ow phonogram in words like ‘blows,’ ‘down,’ ‘glow,’ ’now,’ and ’town.’
Mer Joins In
Jack leaps into the sea with a shout of joy - until the fish start vanishing! Who is the huge shape lurking in the deep? When a gang of honking, hissing lotls zooms up from the dark, Jack, Zom and Skel bolt for shore. They need someone brave, someone who never flinches. Could Mer be the answer? This decodable reader practises the oi/oy sound in words such as ‘joy,’ ‘join,’ ‘choice,’ ‘foil,’ and ‘ploy.’
A Load on My Back
Wiwit woke up with a big, squeezing tummy ache - and worse, a heavy monkey clinging to her back! Everywhere she goes, he goes too, weighing her down like a sack of rice. With the village dance only days away, how will Wiwit ever spin and jump with a monkey on her shoulders? Can she find the courage to face the thing that scares her most? This decodable reader practises the oa phonogram in words such as ‘groan,’ ’load,’ ‘road,’ and ‘float.’
The Monster
Sam and his sister are the greatest monster slayers in the whole entire world - no question! But what happens when a new kind of monster creeps in, one that hides inside Sam’s head like a fog and won’t budge, no matter how loudly you shout? Can a broom, a bucket, and a whole lot of love help bring the real Sam back? This decodable reader practises es plurals in words like ‘crushes,’ ‘wishes,’ ‘pushes,’ ‘searches,’ and ‘inches.’