Animal Books for 3rd Graders
Don't Chop the Bees!
Ned has a cozy farm, a magic Book, and fruit trees that suit him just fine - but what happens when a lone bee cruises past the yard and leads him deep into the woods? Can Ned resist chopping down the hive for one taste of that juicy, golden honey? And if he builds his own, will the bees be a sweet treat or a total nuisance? This decodable reader practices the ‘ui’ sound in words like ‘fruit,’ ‘suit,’ ‘cruises,’ and ‘bruise.’
Bat Box
Jack the scarecrow is the world’s worst at scaring - but he’s determined to fill the farm with bees, birds, and bats! When his neighbor Zom asks for help with pesky mosquitoes, Jack sets out to build the coziest, darkest hideaway any bat could dream of. But where do you put a bat box on a sunny, open farm? Will the bats ever come? This decodable reader practices the ’ei’ phonogram in words like ’eight,’ ‘height,’ ‘weight,’ ’neighbor,’ and ‘receive.’
Bones and the Wolves
Bones is the bravest hunting dog in the valley - until a terrible storm sends him running into a dark forest far from home. When a pack of wolves takes him in, Bones starts to forget his bandana, his treats, and the friend who taught him everything. Can a dog who has gone wild ever remember the way back? Will Skel find him in time? This decodable reader practices the ‘augh’ phonogram with words like ‘caught,’ ‘distraught,’ ‘fraught,’ and ’taught.’
Catch That Cat!
When Dr. Can Do spots a speedy ginger cat darting behind the hay bales, he’s sure he can catch her in a flash - but can a man of science really outsmart a clever kitty? What happens when Jill tells him the secret trick involves sitting very, very still? Can Dr. Can Do be patient enough to make a new furry friend? This decodable reader practices the ‘kn’ phonogram in words like ‘knee,’ ‘knew,’ ‘knocked,’ ‘knot,’ and ‘knuckles.’
Cub
Jack loves playing with Bones and Starfang, but they aren’t really his pets. He wants an animal of his very own! While walking through a snowy land, Jack discovers an adorable polar bear cub all alone on the ice. The friendly cub comes right up to chat with him, and Jack feels an instant connection. But then a terrible smell fills the air and something BIG is coming. What will Jack do when he discovers who the cub really belongs to?
Don't Eat That Book!
Ting the mouse loves books more than cheese - but his little brother Tang loves to EAT them! When their mother assigns Ting the job of teaching Tang to read, can two tiny mice stay quiet enough to finish the lesson without waking the house cat? And what happens when one sneeze changes everything? A decodable reader practicing the gn phonogram in words such as ‘assigned,’ ‘design,’ ‘gnawing,’ ‘sign,’ and ‘reign.’
Too Big? Think Bigger!
Rose the sheep is finally heading home after a long summer on the hill - but wait, what’s this? A brand-new gate, and it’s far too small for a big, woolly sheep! Can yoga shrink her down? Will running do the trick? What about swimming? After three weeks of trying, Rose has one last, brilliant idea. This decodable reader practices the ‘kn’ sound in words like ‘knew,’ ‘kneel,’ ‘knots,’ and ‘knuckles.’
Don't Follow the Deer!
What happens when a mysterious white deer appears at the edge of the forest and beckons you to follow? When a curious child ignores their mother’s warning and chases the deer deep into the trees, they get hopelessly lost - but find something wonderful instead. Could a pangolin, a honey-loving bear cub, and a gentle elephant become unlikely friends? This decodable reader practices the ph phonogram in words like ‘photo,’ ‘pheasant,’ ’elephant,’ and ’triumphant.’
They Are Wrong
Meet a clever cat who knows exactly whose house this really is. Sure, the humans think they own the place - but are they right? From cozy naps and sneaky mice to muddy dogs and a cheeky boy next door, this proud kitty has opinions about everything. Will the people ever figure out who is really in charge? This decodable reader practices the ‘wr’ phonogram in words such as ‘wrap,’ ‘wreck,’ ‘wriggling,’ and ‘wrong.’
Follow That Smell!
Tip’s nose wakes her up one snowy morning with a smell she’s never met before - cold, wild, and wonderful! But wait, what’s that sweeter scent drifting on the wind? Something warm, something spicy, something absolutely delicious is hiding out there in the snow. Can Tip follow her twitchy nose all the way to the source? And why is Brat Cat grinning like she knows a secret? This decodable reader practices the gn phonogram in words like ‘gnome,’ ‘sign,’ ‘design,’ and ‘foreign.’