Decodable Books for Jolly Phonics Classrooms: Group 7, ar /ar/

Kim keeps her best socks in their own special box, safe under the bed. One Monday, she peeks inside and the box is empty! Grabbing her cap and her lens, Kim starts a hunt through the whole house. Could someone have taken her best socks? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘dark’, ‘hard’, ‘starts’, ‘far’, ‘smart’.

Bart marches across a dry, dusty plain, singing his loudest song to call down the rain. A big green pal comes stomping up the trail, ready to join the chant. Will their voices be enough to bring the clouds all the way down? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘far’, ‘dark’, ‘marches’, ‘parched’, ‘start’.

When the rain drums on the roof, a girl races outside to catch every drop in a big bucket. Inside, Mom picks up her sitar and starts a rain song while a bold peacock refuses to hide from the storm. What will the garden look like once the rain finally stops? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘garden’, ‘hard’, ‘starts’, ‘smart’, ‘yard’.

Coach Vic has a big surprise hidden in his old trunk, and it’s about to change game day forever. He shows us photos, maps, and a wee model court, then marches us out to the yard to try it for real. Dog can’t resist joining in, tail thumping and eyes locked on the ball. Will Dog manage to stay out of the game? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘yard’, ‘smart’, ’target’, ‘march’, ‘arms’.

Dr Can Do starts a windmill in the yard, sure Jill will admire his masterpiece. But in the dark, something creaks and groans outside, and by morning the sails lie smashed while the barn and garden stand untouched. What could tear apart only the windmill and leave everything else fine? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘dark’, ‘yard’, ‘hard’, ‘around’, ‘barn’.

Kim and Cal race into the yard to pick guavas, but they find one with big teeth marks in it. They spot a bug, then a hen, but neither one could have reached that high. As the sun sets and something keeps munching in the dark, who could possibly be sneaking into the yard for a nighttime guava feast? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘dark’, ‘yard’, ‘smart’, ‘bark’, ‘stars’.

Ned’s new house has walls, a roof, and a door, but no food except apples, apples, and more apples. When a talking Book offers to teach him how to grow real food, Ned has to gather seeds, build tools, and dig up dry soil in his yard, but will he manage it before he starves? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘hard’, ‘start’, ‘darts’, ‘far’, ‘garden’.

Anansi owes Python a debt, and now Python wants Anansi himself for dinner! Quick-thinking Anansi spots a bright red cord and a way out: what if he could convince the proud snake to try on a king’s knot? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘smart’, ‘charms’, ‘hard’, ‘arcs’, ‘darts’.

Harvest starts in the garden, and Max can’t wait to help. He darts up the tree, grabbing mangoes as fast as he can, but Gran always warns everyone not to drop a single one. Will the harvest make it to market safe and sound? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘darts’, ‘hard’, ‘market’, ‘smart’, ‘starts’.

Dr. Can Do can’t wait to reach the Nether, the fiery land where strange creatures stride across the lava. Jill has a smarter idea: what if the gang built a bridge instead of riding across the flames? The mage has waited a long time for friends brave enough to join him on an adventure like this one. As dawn breaks, sparks fly and the portal roars to life. What will be waiting for them on the other side? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘dark’, ‘far’, ‘hard’, ‘start’, ’embark’.

Lisa has waited three hundred and sixty-five days for one thing: a real pet, and her parents won’t say what it is. She dreams up animal after animal, each one wrong in its own way, from stomping to snapping to spiky surprises. Could the perfect pet really be out there somewhere, waiting for her too? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘far’, ‘hard’, ‘sharp’, ‘star’, ‘around’.

A bird has found the perfect twigs and string for her nest. She thinks it is perfect up in her tree, until a bump shakes everything loose. Can she find a spot safe from elephants, and from a man in the garden, before dark? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘far’, ‘starts’, ‘hard’, ‘smart’, ‘dark’.

Zara has one dream: find a microbe nobody has ever discovered before. When a strange, sharp stink drifts out of the lab fridge, everyone else backs away in disgust, but Zara leans in close instead. Could this smelly mystery be exactly what she’s been searching for? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘sharp’, ‘dark’, ‘chart’, ‘start’, ‘mark’.

Jill grips her pickaxe hard on the dark ledge, staring out at a huge lava field she must cross to reach the far-off nether wart. Dr. Can Do darts into his workshop to start on a bold invention, hammering hard into the night. Will his smart machine really get them across in time? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘far’, ‘dark’, ‘hard’, ‘smart’, ‘start’.

Pip and Big Fish are best friends until a fishing net drops from above and traps Big Fish in the dark water. Pip is small enough to dart free, but his own teeth are too soft to bite through the hard rope, so he must race off to find someone with teeth sharp enough to cut Big Fish loose. Will Pip find sharp teeth in time to save his friend? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘sharp’, ‘dark’, ‘hard’, ‘far’, ‘parts’.

Turtle just wants a nap in the warm sand, but Crab can’t stop pinching things, even a mysterious red-armed shape on a dark rock. When those arms grab hold and won’t let go, who will come far and fast enough to help him? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘dark’, ‘shark’, ‘far’, ‘smart’, ‘starts’.

Nomsa’s home has been in chaos for nights: spilled porridge, tangled sandals, and something small, wet, and cheeky leaving marks on the floor. When Gogo hands her four bricks to keep the trouble away, Nomsa finds the plan already falling apart before dark even settles in. Can Nomsa outwit the sly little visitor and get her family’s home back to normal? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘dark’, ‘far’, ‘marks’, ‘smart’, ‘hard’.

Bee is far, far from home, and Elephant peers down to help. But Elephant’s first idea isn’t right, and a big mad thing with wings darts at Bee before they even try a dark den full of glinting eyes. Will they ever find where Bee truly belongs? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘far’, ‘dark’, ‘darts’, ‘hark’, ‘smart’.

Alex swings her ax at a dark oak trunk and stacks logs for a big, risky plan. She grips a cursed, humming bundle tight, promising not to peek. Jake will need to hold it while riding a cart toward the fiery Nether pits, but what will happen when he grabs it? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘cart’, ‘hard’, ‘dark’, ‘far’, ‘starts’.

Ned can see the whole village from his tower, but when zombies stumble out of the shadows, every arrow he fires lands far from its target. Can he ever learn to hit what he’s aiming at? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘dart’, ’target’, ‘sharp’, ‘hard’, ‘mark’.

A player’s hut kept them safe on the very first night, but a hut is no way to live forever. With a plan, some supplies, and a bit of courage, it’s time to build a real home. Where should the player start looking for the perfect spot? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘dark’, ‘hard’, ‘start’, ‘farm’, ‘sharp’.

Sam rides into quiet Canville claiming there are caves under the hills, but Dr. Can Do insists he knows every rock in his town. When Sam sets up in the yard and points toward the dark hills, will Dr. Can Do finally admit there’s more beneath his feet than he ever imagined? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘dark’, ‘far’, ‘garden’, ‘start’, ‘yard’.

A giant has been stealing cattle from the farm for seasons, and even the bravest men come home too scared to speak of it. When a young girl says she has a plan, everyone just laughs at her. But she has studied the giant’s tracks, found its den, and noticed something shiny it cannot resist wanting. Can a girl who is small and smart outwit a giant who is big and hard to stop? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘far’, ‘dark’, ‘farm’, ‘smart’, ‘depart’.

A tiny mosquito loves to tell tall tales, and one buzzy lie sends an iguana, a python, a rabbit, and a whole forest into a chain of panic. Soon the sky stays dark and the sun will not rise, and every animal wants to know why. Can the forest ever find its way back to the light? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘dark’, ‘darts’, ‘hard’, ‘sharp’, ‘yarn’.

Nzou the elephant is loud, proud, and convinced the last green meadow belongs to elephants alone. He starts to brag and drives every other animal off with stamping feet, until a clever hare named Kalulu hops up and challenges him to a hard river-naming test. Can a small hare outsmart the biggest, loudest animal on the Zambezi? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘starts’, ‘hard’, ‘dart’, ‘smart’, ‘far’.

Hare stands at the river, staring hungrily at the sweet berries on the far bank. A mean old crocodile blocks the only way across, snarling and snapping at anything that tries to cross. Can Hare find a smart plan to get past him? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘far’, ‘smart’, ‘dark’, ‘sharp’, ‘snarl’.

Naserian knows Tipilit’s tracks by heart, but they vanish where the ground turns to bare, cracked mud. With the sun sinking and lions and hyenas out there in the dark, can she find where the trail starts again before it’s too late? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘dark’, ‘far’, ‘hard’, ‘sharp’ and ‘snarl’.

When the dry season hits hard and the village well runs low, a big hyena drags logs over the water and demands grain just to let anyone drink. A sharp girl watches from far back, thinking hard about his one weakness. Can she outsmart him before the whole village goes thirsty? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘smart’, ‘far’, ‘hard’, ‘sharp’, ‘dark’.

Deep in the Ituri forest, thick clouds have blocked the Moon’s silver light for days, and without it the night dances stop and hunters cannot check their nets. A girl named Yei sits far from the worried elders, thinking hard about a plan no one else has tried. Could a small, glowing gift carried up into the dark sky be enough to reach a lonely Moon? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘dark’, ‘far’, ‘hard’, ‘smart’, ‘stars’.

Ned finally has a farm, but when the sun sinks, zombies and skeletons and a horrible green creeper fill his yard, and he must slam the door and hide. Night after night he lies awake listening to them groan in the dark, until he decides he is done running - but is there really a way to fight back? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘dark’, ‘yard’, ‘hard’, ‘sharp’, ‘farm’.

Alex packs way more gear than any miner could ever need before heading deep into a dark mine to find diamonds. When she spots a spooky pit at the bottom of her tunnel, will her mountain of supplies be enough to keep her safe? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘dark’, ‘far’, ‘hard’, ‘smart’, ‘sharp’.

Jill sets off with pockets full of bones, determined to tame a wild wolf and bring it home. But this wolf has other plans, snatching each bone and darting off before Jill can get close. Will the clever pup ever let Jill earn her trust? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘far’, ‘dark’, ‘hard’, ‘smart’, ‘stars’.

Sam and a girl are the greatest monster slayers in the world, charging across the yard to battle every beast that dares appear. But when a strange dark monster creeps inside Sam and pins him down, no broom or bucket can touch it. Can she find a way to reach him when nothing else works? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘dark’, ‘yard’, ‘hard’, ‘starts’, ‘part’.

Mkhulu is a smart, smart jackal, and Shaka is a big, hungry lion who will not let him pass. Mkhulu bows low and warns that a bee nest hides trouble for anyone who gets too close. Can a small jackal outwit a lion twice his size? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘far’, ‘smart’, ‘dark’, ‘swarm’, ‘snarls’.

Jill is deep in a dark cave, chasing diamonds she just knows are close. She grips her sharp pickaxe, steps into her minecart, and rides far past the stars into the tunnels below. But something is waiting in the darkness, snarling and ready to pounce. Will Jill be smart enough to get out before it’s too late? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘dark’, ‘sharp’, ‘far’, ‘smart’, ‘snarls’.

Bob is the worst fisherman in town, more interested in naps than fish. But when something huge and sharp-toothed yanks his line, Bob is about to find out the ocean has other plans for him. What happens when a nap turns into the wildest ride of Bob’s life? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Group 7: ar /ar/), this book practices words like ‘dark’, ‘sharp’, ‘darts’, ‘hard’, ‘carts’.