Hold On, Brother!

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Family Decodable Reader with es Plurals

Practice Words

Two-syllable words where 'es' is added to form plurals, creating an extra syllable.

branches bushes clutches crosses crouches crunches dashes dishes fixes marches pushes reaches rushes snatches stretches watches wishes
Page 1
On the right side of the image, Brother stands leaning forward with an angry, frustrated expression, gripping a purple stuffed toy animal and pulling it away. Boy is on the far right, sitting/kneeling on the floor with an equally angry, upset expression, mouth open yelling, reaching up and holding onto the same purple toy — the two are locked in a tug-of-war over it. The scene is set indoors in a living room, with a wooden desk/table, a chair, and a window with a blue curtain visible behind them. The left side of the image is plain background.

His brother snatches his purple toy and pulls it away. He grabs it and pulls back hard. 'Mine!' he yells. He wishes his brother would just leave his stuff alone. He does not want to fight, but his brother never asks.

Page 2
On the left side of the image, Mum stands in the centre with a stern, frustrated expression, pointing firmly as she scolds the two boys. Boy stands to her left, rubbing his eye with one hand and looking upset, while Brother stands in front of Mum to the right, head down with a sulky, unhappy expression. A stuffed toy and broken pieces lie on the floor between them. The scene is set indoors in a living room, with a table and a pitcher visible in the background. The right ~40% of the image is plain background.

Their mum marches in, looking mad. Broken dishes and a toy lie on the floor. She points at both of them. 'Bed. Now.' He rubs his eye. His brother hangs his head. It is not fair. His brother always starts it, but they both get in trouble.

Page 3
On the right side of the image, Boy sits barefoot on the ground with a wistful, slightly sad expression, looking off to the side. A small toy tractor sits on the ground beside him — his one prized possession. Above him is a thought bubble showing Boy sitting alone happily with a toy, representing his wish to have something just for himself. The scene is set against a plain white background.

He fixes things for his brother. He shares his food. He gives him all he can. But sometimes he wishes he could have something just for himself. His little toy tractor sits on the ground beside him, the only thing that is his alone.

Page 4
On the left side of the image, Boy sits astride Elephant's back, leaning forward with a happy, excited expression as he holds on. Elephant is walking through a grassy suburban yard, mid-stride with its trunk raised slightly and one front leg lifted. The scene is set outdoors on a bright, sunny day with a blue sky, green grass, and soft rolling hills in the background. The right portion of the image is open sky and distant landscape, clear of characters or detail.

He spots something big in the yard, right past the bushes! He sneaks out past his mum and dashes across the grass. He jumps up onto its back and holds on tight. It stretches its trunk up and starts to walk. What a ride!

Page 5
On the right side of the image, Brother crouches low on the ground beneath a large tree, facing toward the viewer at a three-quarter angle with a quiet, absorbed posture as if playing a game by himself — but something about the scene feels uneasy. A wide, open grassy plain stretches across the scene under a clear blue sky, with scattered trees visible in the far background. A small group of elephants is visible in the distant background on the right side of the plain. The left side of the image is open plain with no characters or detail.

As they ride across the open plains, he watches the land stretch out under the bright blue sky. Then he spots a shape under a big tree. It is his brother! His brother crouches low on the grass as if he is playing a game. But something does not look right.

Page 6
On the left side of the image, Brother is sprinting desperately with his arms outstretched, his body leaning forward in full flight, with a scared expression as he glances back. Just behind him, Mad Elephant charges aggressively with its trunk extended and head lowered, motion lines trailing behind it to convey speed. The scene is set outdoors in a park-like open area with a single tree on the far left and green grass underfoot, bathed in warm daylight with a soft yellow-toned background. The right side of the image is plain white background.

A big mad beast rushes at his brother! His brother dashes across the grass, but the beast is so much faster. It crunches across the open ground right behind him. Can he get away?

Page 7
On the right side of the image, Brother is perched high up in a large leafy tree, sitting on a thick branch with both hands gripping the wood for balance. He has a worried, fearful expression on his face as he looks out cautiously. The tree's green canopy of leaves fills the upper-right corner, with branches extending across the top of the scene. The left side and lower portion of the image is open white background, providing space for text.

His brother reaches the tree and pulls himself up to the high branches. Good move! He holds on to the wood so tight. He watches from far away and wishes his brother stays safe up there. He does not want his brother to get hurt.

Page 8
On the left side of the image, Boy rides on top of Elephant, who is charging forward at full speed with motion lines trailing behind them. Boy is leaning forward with a determined expression, one arm stretched out ahead pointing the way. Elephant has a focused, wide-eyed look as it gallops with its legs in mid-stride and trunk curled slightly upward. The background is plain white, leaving the right side of the image open for text.

He pushes his pet to go faster. 'Come on!' he yells. It stretches its legs and reaches forward with every stride. They have to make it to the tree so he can save his brother. Not far now.

Page 9
On the right side of the image, Mad Elephant stands on a grassy patch beneath a large tree, trunk wrapped around a low branch and pulling downward with a determined expression. Brother sits up in the tree on a branch above, looking down at Mad Elephant with a nervous, wide-eyed expression, gripping the branch tightly. The scene is set outdoors in a park-like setting on a bright, sunny day with lush green foliage surrounding the tree.

The mad pet snatches a low branch with its trunk. It pulls and pulls. The branch crunches and bends. His brother watches from above, eyes wide. Can the mad pet crack that strong branch?

Page 10
On the left side of the image, a large leafy tree dominates the scene. Boy is perched on a lower branch, leaning forward with one arm stretched out toward Brother, his expression determined and concerned. Brother sits higher up on an upper branch, looking down toward Boy and reaching back with one hand, appearing slightly worried. The outdoor setting is bright and daytime, with lush green foliage surrounding both characters. The right ~40% of the image is plain white background.

He reaches the tree and jumps off his pet onto a low branch. He stretches his arm up to his brother. 'Grab on!' His brother reaches back down. His brother wishes he could stretch just a bit more. Their fingers almost touch.

Page 11
On the right side of the image, Mad Elephant's trunk is coiled tightly around Boy's midsection, lifting him into the air. Boy hangs with his legs kicking and his arms reaching out desperately, his face showing a wide-eyed, scared expression as he calls out. Mad Elephant is partially visible at the far right edge, with its large ear and trunk dominating that side. The background is plain white, leaving the left side completely open for text.

A long trunk snatches Boy and pulls him out of the tree! He kicks and reaches out, calling for his brother. Even now, all he wishes is that his brother stays safe.

Page 12
On the left side of the image, Boy is sitting up in a wooden bed with a startled, wide-eyed expression, propping himself up on one arm as if just woken from a dream, with a pink blanket and blue pillow around him. Mum sits on the edge of the bed beside him, gently placing her hand on his head with a warm, caring expression. Brother stands next to Mum at the bedside, looking up at Boy with soft, calm eyes while Mum holds him close with her other arm. The scene is set indoors in a bedroom, with a pair of flip-flops on the floor beside the bed. The right side of the image is plain white background.

'Boy! Wake up!' Mum says, her hand warm on his head. 'You were shouting in your sleep.' Boy blinks and sees his bedroom, his blanket, his pillow. Brother watches him with soft eyes, and Boy wishes this safe moment could last.

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