Decodable Books for Jolly Phonics Classrooms: Group 5, v /v/
We’re committed to removing barriers to literacy by providing free books that children love. Here you will find decodable stories for the Jolly Phonics v sound in Group 5. Children start with short words like vet, vat, vest and vast, then read longer ones such as visit, seven, velvet and invent, built from sounds taught so far. Some titles are free to read online.
Free
Steve Visits Villager
Steve grips a vivid green emerald that freezes time itself, and every villager who sees it panics in an instant. He just wants a hot meal from the vast village market, but no one will trade with him now. What is this strange gem really doing to the world around him? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vivid’, ‘havoc’, ‘vast’, ‘vends’, ‘victim’.
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Bam's Vain Song
Bam is sure his flute playing is beautiful, calming everyone nearby into sleepy yawns. But when he plays just a little louder to show off, the ground rumbles, dust falls, and something huge and ancient stirs beneath the bay. What has Bam’s music woken up? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vast’, ‘havoc’, ‘vivid’, ‘velvet’, ‘seven’.
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Anansi and the Big Feed
Anansi the spider has a big, round belly, and he loves it more than anything. When he hears about a huge feast happening in seven villages all on the same day, he cannot bear to pick just one. So he comes up with a bold plan involving long cords tied to every village at once, but can he really be in seven places at the same time? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vast’, ‘avid’, ‘visits’, ‘havoc’, ‘vivid’.
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A Vast Kid Steps Up!
A boy has spent his whole life underground, and today he finally crawls out of his cave into the sunlight, hoping to make a friend. But when he wanders into a village and accidentally breaks a bike with his giant hands, the children flee, leaving him alone in the yard, tears rolling like rain. Will anyone come back to find him? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vast’, ‘visit’, ‘vivid’, ‘cave’, ‘seven’.
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Can Bug Sing?
Bug has vim, and she has a big feeling in her belly: she wants to sing! There’s just one problem: she has never sung a single note in her life. She visits Duck, Frog, and Big Bird to learn their songs, but none of them feel quite right, so what kind of song will Bug find for herself? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vim’, ‘visits’, ‘vivid’, ‘seven’, ‘vast’.
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Seven Mornings to the Big Test
A girl is sure her wobbly, waddling duck is the fastest thing on two feet, even if nobody else believes it. Every morning before sunup, they sprint the hills together, training in secret for something big. When the Big Flock Race finally arrives, can her funny-looking duck really keep up with the sleek racing birds? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vast’, ‘revs’, ‘seven’, ‘velvet’, ‘vivid’.
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Dr Can Do Needs Cactus
Jill’s armor is cracked, her golden carrots are gone, and without them her next mining trip could be her last. Dr Can Do has a plan involving bone meal, a giant cactus, and absolutely no idea how prickly things are about to get. He packs no food, no water, and no armor. Can a lab coat and pure confidence really be enough to bring cactus home safely? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vast’, ‘vim’, ‘invents’, ‘rivets’, ‘visit’.
Is The Gift A Bat?
It’s Ned’s birthday, and The Book has a big surprise waiting on the lawn. There’s just one catch: Ned has to make the gift himself, starting with cutting grain in the vast field. What could The Book possibly be planning? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vast’, ‘visit’, ‘avid’, ‘pivots’, ‘revs’.
Bones Must Not Veer
Skel and a vivid, avid little dog named Bones are sneaking into a swamp witch’s hut to grab her hidden treasure. Bones is supposed to stay quiet, but he can’t resist chasing every strange sound he hears. Will his instincts wreck the whole plan before they even reach the gold? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘avid’, ‘vivid’, ‘divot’, ‘veer’, ‘vast’.
Tip's Blank Pad
Tip has a brilliant plan: write the greatest blog ever about every job in the village. But every workshop she visits leaves her notebook blank, as she gets scared by stone chips, draws a map that looks like a potato, and falls in love with feathers, seeds, and a gleaming sword instead. Will Tip ever find her story? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘avid’, ‘divots’, ‘havoc’, ‘visit’, ‘vivid’.
Zom Gets a Vivid Pet
Zom finds a vivid rabbit on his walk, and its rainbow milk tastes amazing. Soon he’s collecting it by the bucketful, dreaming up a plan to make himself rich. Will his big idea go the way he hopes? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vivid’, ‘vast’, ‘vats’, ‘invents’, ‘havoc’.
Keen Nomvula
Seven eager men visit Nomvula, but none feels right, until a striking stranger arrives and asks her father for her hand. As they journey to his home, she notices something odd about his footprints, and a strange feeling begins to grow. Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘visits’, ‘vast’, ‘pivots’, ‘veer’, ‘vivid’.
Hop Plans to Track the King
Hop is used to peaceful days in the woods, until arrows start raining from the sky. Determined to find out who is shooting at him, Hop gathers his friends and sets off to visit the king and demand answers. Who could possibly be firing arrows at a rabbit? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘visit’, ‘pivots’, ‘vast’, ‘vivid’.
Vast, Vast Land!
Pip loves the coziest spot in the whole rainforest: Mom’s pouch. From there, Pip watches everything and collects treasures with Mom, tucking in a feather, a berry, and soft petals. But when Big Brother reaches for the pouch that used to be his, will there be room for him too? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vivid’, ‘vast’, ‘veer’, ‘velvet’, ‘visit’.
Seek the Vent
A yo-yo has vanished, and Kit hunts with vim through every corner of the house, dumping toy boxes and hunting in vast, hidden spots. Where could it possibly be? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vim’, ‘havoc’, ‘pivots’, ‘avid’, ‘vivid’.
Ajapa Has a Plan
Ajapa the tortoise has vim, and everyone in the dusty land knows he always finds a way. When the rains stop coming and the fields turn to dust, he treks deep into the vast trees and spots a vivid tree glowing with fruit and a rock covered in strange script, but what will Ajapa do with the secret he finds there? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vast’, ‘vivid’, ‘havoc’, ‘pivots’, ‘vim’.
Can the Wee Bugs Get Up?
Wee birds, dragonflies, and butterflies all soar through the sky with ease, and every one of them has wings. So a girl with big round glasses wonders: could she and her friends find a way up there too, without any wings at all? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vast’, ‘vivid’, ‘avid’, ‘pivot’, ‘veer’.
Mouse Revs Up Havoc!
Mouse has snuck into the house, and no one knows quite what to do about it. Nan shrieks, Mom drops the dishes, and Dad hides behind the curtain, but the tiny visitor just grins and twitches its whiskers, cool as can be. When the baby claps instead of screaming, could this naughty little mouse turn out to be exactly the friend this family didn’t know it needed? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘visit’, ‘havoc’, ‘pivots’, ‘vim’, ‘vast’.
Raindrops Vie to Win!
Raindrops burst from a grumpy cloud for the greatest race in the world, tumbling, rolling, and merging as they race downhill toward the sea. But nobody even knows what the prize is, so who will win, and what happens when they finally arrive? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vivid’, ‘rev’, ‘veer’, ‘divots’, ‘havoc’.
Jack Bets on Bees
Jack is a scarecrow with a big problem: his farm is too quiet, with no bees buzzing or birds singing anywhere in sight. He sets up a box in a tree, hoping bees will visit, and scatters feed across the vast land for birds. When a grateful pal asks for one more critter, will Jack figure out how? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vast’, ‘visit’, ‘invents’, ‘rivets’, ‘vivid’.
Vast Wings for Brat Cat!
It’s Brat Cat’s birthday, and Fig Pig arrives with a mysterious gift that turns out to be a pair of enormous wings. There’s just one problem: Brat Cat has never flown before, and the only way to learn is off the top of a very steep, very tall hill. Will she find the courage to jump? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vast’, ‘veer’, ‘vim’, ‘rivet’, ‘vain’.
Vain Simba
Simba the lion rules the riverbank and takes whatever he pleases, until the day a small hare arrives with a bundle of water-lily roots. When the hare hints at an even bigger meal waiting nearby, the vain king appoints him royal advisor on the spot. Will Simba’s pride lead him somewhere he never expects? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vain’, ‘invents’, ‘avid’, ‘pivots’, ‘valid’.
Elephant the Vandal
Elephant is the biggest, vainest creature on the veld, stamping through gardens without a second look while the small animals lose their crops to his havoc. When floodwaters leave a vast drift too deep to cross, Hare invents a clever plan, but can a small, clever hare really convince a vain elephant to help? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vast’, ‘vain’, ‘havoc’, ‘invents’, ‘valid’.
Ajapa Is Avid
Ajapa the tortoise longs to taste the sky-people’s feast, but tortoises can’t fly. When the birds agree to lend him feathers, one each, he sees his chance. All he needs now is a clever new name for the journey, one that might let him claim a little more than his share. Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vast’, ‘avid’, ‘vain’, ‘velvet’, ‘havoc’.
The Vast Sad Moon
The Moon knows a secret the desert people don’t: death isn’t the end. She sends her fastest friend to carry the message to a grieving camp, but can he get the words right before it’s too late? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vast’, ‘visit’, ‘vivid’, ‘havoc’, ‘pivots’.
Dragon Is Vain
Dragon is sure he’s a natural at fire-breathing, no practice needed. But when his big test finally comes, will his confidence be enough? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vain’, ‘vast’, ‘avid’, ‘vivid’.
Vast Gift Stack
Val’s birthday brings a vast stack of vivid gifts, but Dad’s last box holds a strange clay bank instead of a phone. Can a stubborn donkey and a few saved coins turn into something better than Val ever imagined? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘invest’, ‘vast’, ‘vivid’, ‘avid’, ’eleven’.
Did A Vandal Nab It?
Viv is upset. A vandal has stolen a shoe right off her foot! She visits Frog, then a bug, then Crab, trying on borrowed shoes that never fit right. Will Viv ever find her missing shoe? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘visits’, ‘vast’, ‘pivot’, ‘havoc’, ‘vandal’.
Elephant Is Vain
Elephant guards the best waterhole on the veld and won’t let anyone near it, not even a thirsty jackal. Too small to fight and too proud to be flattered, the jackal needs a clever plan instead. Can a little jackal outwit an animal a hundred times his size? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vast’, ‘visit’, ‘vents’, ‘havoc’, ‘vain’.
Opio and Vast Mist
Opio is ten and sure he knows every bend of the lake, until a vast mist swallows the shore and he can not see land in any direction. With no papyrus, no boats, and no village in sight, he must stay calm and remember the tricks his dad taught him before he pivots the canoe the wrong way for good. Can he find his way home before the fog wins? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vast’, ‘vim’, ‘avid’, ‘pivots’, ‘veers’.
Ned Digs for a Grand Gift
Ned loves treasure more than anything, so when a chest gleams at the back of a monster-filled cave, he doesn’t even hesitate. But the mob just keeps coming, and Ned’s sword can’t seem to stop it. Will his trusty pickaxe be enough to smash through the chaos and reach the prize inside? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vast’, ‘vim’, ‘havoc’, ‘vivid’, ‘pivots’.
Vain Cheetah Brags
Cheetah is the fastest runner on the veld, and he never stops bragging about it. One hot afternoon, a tortoise sitting on a rock makes a bold claim: he can win a race against Cheetah. The whole veld gasps, but could a slow, plodding tortoise really have a plan clever enough to beat the fastest legs around? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vain’, ‘vast’, ‘avid’, ‘invents’, ‘vie’.
Up, Up, Up Zips Bub!
Bub’s family just wants a quiet day at the park, but Bub has never sat still in her life. When a vivid kite dances overhead, she reaches out and grabs the string, and a vast gust yanks her straight into the sky. Only Pup notices Bub is missing. Can one avid, loyal dog catch her before it’s too late? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vivid’, ‘vast’, ‘avid’, ‘vim’.
A Big Ring Bobs
Viv loves her vast lake, from the cool green shade to every smooth rock. Then something dumps rubbish right into her favorite home. Who could be so careless, and can Viv make them stop? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vast’, ‘havoc’, ‘pivots’, ‘veers’, ‘vents’.
The Mage Can Not Sleep
The Mage has a secret: his magic won’t stay quiet, fizzing and sparking the moment the village goes to sleep. He decides to let out just one tiny spell, sure nobody will even notice. But one prank always leads to another, and soon a growling wolf is blocking his only way out. Will the Mage manage to sneak away before anyone finds out what he’s done? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘visit’, ‘vivid’, ‘havoc’, ‘vast’, ‘veer’.
The Wet Is Vast!
Mel clings to a pole as the water swallows the street, her toy giraffe squeezed tight under one arm. A woman named Jen pulls her to safety and promises to help find her parents, but Jen has so many other people who need her too. Can Mel find the courage to help while she waits? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 5: v /v/), this book practices words like ‘vast’, ‘vest’, ‘vim’, ‘invents’, ’eleven’.
Decodable Books for Jolly Phonics Classrooms
Frequently Asked Questions
What are short v words for early readers?
The shortest words in the stories for the Jolly Phonics v sound are CVC v words like vet, vat, van, rev and vim, followed by vest, vast, vent and vamp. They can all be read with the letter sounds from Groups 1 to 5, so children can sound them out rather than guess. Starting with these short words builds confidence before the longer ones appear.
What longer v words appear in these books?
Once the short words feel easy, children move on to two-syllable words like visit, seven, eleven, velvet, vivid, invent and canvas. Splitting them into syllables, such as vel-vet or in-vent, makes them manageable. Stanovich (1986) showed that children who read more tend to build vocabulary faster, and words like vivid and invent bring new meanings as well as reading practice.
Why do so few English words end in v?
English spelling avoids ending a word with v, so words that end in the /v/ sound usually add an e, as in have, give, live and love. Children meet that pattern later, since the e in those words does not change the vowel the way a silent e usually does. In these books, v mostly appears at the start or in the middle of words, with rare exceptions like rev.
How can I help my child say /v/ clearly?
Ask your child to rest their top teeth gently on their bottom lip and hum, which makes the buzzing /v/. Then compare it with /f/ from Group 3, which uses the same mouth shape but no voice, by saying fan and van or fast and vast. Your child should feel a tickle on the lip for /v/ and only a rush of air for /f/.
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