Life Books for Kids
Who's Looking Back?
Have you ever played a game where you stare at something and wait to see if it stares right back? On a little farm full of frogs, roosters, and a very nosy cow, one curious kid plays this game all day long. But when sunset paints the sky yellow and fireflies start to glow, a much bigger question drifts up toward the stars… who might be looking back from far away? This decodable reader practices VC/CV syllable words such as ‘garden,’ ‘hidden,’ ‘sunset,’ ‘supper,’ and ‘yellow.’
Why Won't You Sing?
Ben loves the little brown bird that sings from its cage on the porch, filling his house with music sweet enough to curl his toes. But one bird means just one song - so what happens when Ben asks his father to catch more and more, until every ledge is lined with cages? Why won’t his new birds sing a single note, and can Ben figure out what they really need? This decodable reader practises soft g in words like ‘cage,’ ‘gentle,’ ’large,’ and ‘strange.’
Oh No, My Hair!
When Allie spots an old photo of Mom with a short, pretty haircut, she decides she simply must have one too - so she grabs the craft scissors and gets snipping! But what happens when Allie sees herself in the mirror? Can noodles, green beans, or a blanket of spinach leaves really fix a haircut gone wrong? This decodable reader practices VC/CV syllables in words like ‘haircut,’ ‘mirror,’ ‘scissors,’ ‘blanket,’ and ‘picture.’
Go, Squad, Go!
Five kids, one dog, and zero chance of losing - at least, that’s what the squad promised before the championship match. But when the other team’s bus rolls up and out steps the biggest, most serious squad anyone has ever seen, can teamwork really beat pure power? Will one brave gang of friends find a way to score? Lace up your boots and find out! This decodable reader practices the ’ng’ sound in words like ‘strong,’ ‘sprang,’ ‘flings,’ and ‘rings.’
Not My Best Socks!
Alana’s best socks have vanished! Not just any socks - her most treasured pair, pink with purple patches and the tiniest stitches in the world. Who would dare sneak into her room and take them? Armed with her trusty looking glass (much more professional than glasses), Alana checks couches, cupboards, and even peeks inside the toilet. Will she crack the case before bedtime? This decodable reader practices es plurals in words like ‘boxes,’ ‘patches,’ ‘stitches,’ and ‘matches.’
Art Day
Dog has found a mysterious tin sitting in the middle of the floor - but what could be inside? A treat? A toy? When Dog tips it over, yellow paint goes everywhere, and soon Cat is splattered too! Can two very messy pets sneak past Pam on Art Day without ruining her beautiful blank canvas, or is disaster about to strike? This decodable reader practices suffixes through words like ‘gladly,’ ‘proudly,’ ‘swiftly,’ ‘breathless,’ and ‘painter.’
Best Pals
What makes a best pal truly special? The Girl thinks being best pals with Hedgehog is the simplest thing in the world - they scribble rainbows, share ice cream right down the middle, and giggle at nothing at all. But what happens when school feels jumbled up, or when a splashy afternoon turns into a silly squabble? Can a pancake really say sorry better than words? This decodable reader practices le/al/el/il words such as ‘gentle,’ ‘giggle,’ ‘sparkle,’ ‘purple,’ and ‘marvel.’
Don't Look Around the Corner!
What happens when a brave girl sets off to walk to Grandad’s house all by herself for the very first time? The sunshine is warm, the pathway is familiar, and nothing could possibly go wrong - until a sharp YAP bursts from around the corner and her footsteps freeze. Is there a monstrous beast waiting just out of sight, or something else entirely? This decodable reader practices compound words such as ‘doorstep,’ ‘driveway,’ ‘pathway,’ ‘footsteps,’ and ‘sunshine.’
Jim Brags Big
When Jim sees Len’s shiny new toy boat, something twisty happens in his tummy - and suddenly he’s bragging about owning the best stuff in the WORLD! But Jim’s toy box only holds a dented ball and an old board game. Could borrowing treasures from Grandpa’s plants, Gran’s craft basket, and Mom’s dresser save the day? Or will one missing perfume bottle give the whole game away? This decodable reader practices es plurals through words like ‘boxes,’ ‘bushes,’ ‘fixes,’ ‘dresses,’ and ‘riches.’
My Choices
Every day, I make a lot of choices. These choices shape not only my day, but the weeks and months ahead. They may even have weight for what happens in my future.