Bookbot Decodable Books: kn
We’re passionate about ensuring literacy is accessible to every child, including children who find spelling patterns hard. These kn decodable books teach readers that when a word begins with kn, the k stays quiet and only the n is heard. Children read kn words such as know, knee, knife, knock, knot and knight, and learn to treat kn as one sound.
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The Cursed Emerald Part 2
A growling belly, a village full of traders, and one little green gem that should buy a roasted chicken - easy, right? But why do the villagers panic the moment the gem comes out? Why does a cat freeze solid by your knee, and why has the whole morning vanished in a blink? Something is very wrong with this shiny rock… This decodable reader practises the ‘kn’ sound in words like ‘knee,’ ‘knelt,’ ‘knocked,’ ‘knew,’ and ‘knucklehead.’
Free
You Are Not a Mouse!
Tik the mouse has found the perfect empty house - no cats, no dogs, no people. But when he bites a strange rubbery rope on the desk, a very angry voice shouts back! Who is Klik, the round little creature who claims to be a mouse but has no whiskers, no paws, and no snout? And when a huge cat comes prowling, can this odd new friend really save the day? This decodable reader practises the ‘kn’ sound in words like ‘knew,’ ‘knot,’ ‘knees,’ and ‘knucklehead.’
Free
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 practises the ‘kn’ sound in words like ‘knew,’ ‘kneel,’ ‘knots,’ and ‘knuckles.’
Free
Dig, Ned, Dig!
Ned has built a cosy shed in an unknown world, but his magic book says it’s time to dig! Can Ned figure out which end of the shovel goes in the ground? And what happens when his trusty shovel hits something hard and golden deep beneath the hill? Grab a pickaxe and find out! This decodable reader practises the ‘kn’ phonogram in words like ‘knelt,’ ‘knuckles,’ ‘knock,’ and ‘knew.’
Langa Knows the Storm
Every child in the valley ‘knows’ the rule: when the sky bruises purple and the cattle bolt, you run too. But Langa longs to see the impundulu, the great Lightning Bird whose wingbeats shake the hills. When drought withers the corn and the elders’ songs bring no rain, will one brave boy climb the ridge to call the storm himself? What must he offer a creature made of fire and thunder? This Level KN book practises the ‘kn’ sound with words like ‘know’, ‘knapsack’, ‘knees’, and ‘knuckles’.
Zom and the Rainbow Rabbits
What happens when Zom spots a rainbow rabbit hopping in the grass - and discovers it gives rainbow milk? With a bucket, a recipe, and a head full of big ideas, he decides to bake the most dazzling cake pops the villagers have ever seen. But will his sparkly treats be the hit he dreams of, or will things get a little messy? Join Zom for a silly, sugary adventure! This decodable reader focuses on the ‘kn’ sound in words such as ‘knelt,’ ‘kneads,’ ‘knocks,’ and ‘knew.’
I Can See the Sea!
May has never seen the sea - only fog and hills. When her teacher Jack knocks on her door promising a place where she can finally see it, will a hill, a rock, or even a tall tree be high enough? And what surprise does Jack have tucked in his bag? This decodable reader practises the ‘kn’ sound in words like ‘knock,’ ‘knees,’ ‘knew,’ and ‘knuckles.’
My Nest Won't Stay!
Bird has built the most perfect nest in the tallest tree - but then comes a BUMP, a wobble, and a very surprised elephant! Can a stone wall be any safer? What happens when a giant Man peeks through the leaves? After three wobbly flops, poor Bird wonders if she’ll ever find a home at all - until a sky full of floating balloons gives her the silliest idea ever. This decodable reader practises the ‘kn’ sound in words like ‘knots,’ ‘knocked,’ ‘knew,’ and ‘knees.’
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 practises the ‘kn’ phonogram in words like ‘knee,’ ‘knew,’ ‘knocked,’ ‘knot,’ and ‘knuckles.’
The Pool Will Not Open
Kind words open a path no force ever could, but will a nine-year-old boy learn that in time? When Sifiso’s grandmother falls ill across a deep green pool guarded by a great serpent, three grown men have already tried and failed to cross. Can a gift succeed where courage alone cannot? Sifiso ‘knows’ he must try, even as his ‘knees’ shake and his ‘knuckles’ turn white. In this Bookbot level, young readers practise the ‘kn’ words ‘knows’, ‘knees’, ‘knuckles’, ‘knock’, and ‘knot’.
Adhis Knows the Sky
The Ajwang family have always been rainmakers, and everyone in the village of Boro knows it. But when Father falls ill, the elders turn to loud, boastful Owino instead of his younger sister Adhis, who has quietly spent two days reading ants, birds, and the east wind. Can she convince the village to prepare before the storm arrives? And when the rain finally comes, will one hidden danger wash it all away? This Bookbot level practises the ‘kn’ sound in words like ‘knows’, ‘knew’, ‘kneel’, and ‘knot’.
Tigist Knows More
In the misty highlands of Ethiopia, a proud judge sets young Tigist three impossible tasks. Fill a whole room with something that fits in one hand? Arrive neither walking nor riding? Bring a gift that is not a gift? Her family cannot afford to fail, but this clever girl ‘knows’ that every trap hides a simple truth. Can she outwit the cleverest man in the land? This Bookbot level practises the ‘kn’ sound in words like ‘knows’, ‘knee’, ‘kneel’ and ‘knot’.
Tembo Has to Know
Tembo the elephant has a small, ordinary nose, just like everyone else in the herd. But what does the deep, dark part of the river taste like, down where the crocodiles hide? Tembo simply has to find out, even though the older elephants warn him to stay in the shallows. What happens when something under the water decides to hold on and pull? This Bookbot level practises the ‘kn’ sound with words like ‘know’, ‘knew’, ‘knees’, and ‘knocked’.
Hodan Knows the Lion
On the wide red plains of Somalia, Hodan guides her family’s five camels from well to well. When she finds fresh lion tracks circling the camp one morning, can a young girl outsmart a patient predator? And when raiders appear at the far edge of the salt flat, will Hodan find a way to lead her precious herd safely home? A brave, heart pounding adventure of wits and courage. This Bookbot level practises the /n/ sound in words like ‘knot’, ‘knees’, ‘knows’, and ‘knuckles’.
Thandiwe Knows the Sound
Deep beside the Zambezi River, kind Thandiwe rescues a trembling pangolin from a tangled net, and it rewards her with one perfectly round, magical pumpkin and a single gentle rule. But what happens when greedy Auntie Nomsa decides the rule is not for her? Will one cut truly stay one cut, or will her yard overflow with something far stranger? This warm African folktale practises the ‘kn’ sound in ‘knows’, ‘knew’, ‘knife’, and ‘knot’.
A Race for Fish
Otieno’s family needs the best fishing spot on the lake, but sly old Musa never loses his one-day contest. What secret trick lets Musa win every time, and can a clever boy uncover it before the sun goes down? Race out onto the water and find out whether thinking can beat pulling! This Bookbot book practises the ‘kn’ sound with words like ‘knack’, ‘knot’, ‘knocks’, ‘kneels’, and ‘knuckles’.
When the Well Went Wrong
Everyone in the coastal village knows the old baobab is wise, but no one dares ask it anything. When the well suddenly runs dry and the elders argue for days, can a quick ten year old named Nuru find the courage to climb the red-sand ridge and listen to a tree? What will the baobab tell her, and will anyone believe a girl who says she ‘knows’ the answer? This Bookbot level practises the ‘kn’ sound with words like ‘knew’, ‘knows’, ‘knot’, and ‘knocks’.
Pendo Knows the Truth
In the coral-stone town of Lamu, a girl named Pendo sells fish and can read faces like a sailor reads the sky. When a powerful merchant accuses her father of theft, who will believe a girl’s word against three witnesses? Then, in a warm tide pool, her fingers touch a strange singing shell that holds the truth of that morning. Will anyone else listen? This Bookbot Level KN story practises the /n/ sound in words like ‘knew’, ‘knows’, ‘knot’, and ‘knuckles’.
Wares From Afar
A stranger rolls up to the farm with llamas, chests, and a smile too big to trust. What happens when Jack spots a glowing turquoise thing the Trader swears is cursed? Can Zom and Skel stop him before beds turn to mushrooms, swords turn to carrots, and the whole house turns to watermelon? This decodable reader practises the kn phonogram in words like ‘knelt,’ ‘knew,’ ‘knickknacks,’ ‘knocking,’ and ‘knucklehead.’
The Odd Egg
Zom and Skel have raced to the top of a hill - but what is that strange, glowing egg Zom has found at the bottom? Nobody seems to want it. Not a hen, not a squid, not even a dragon! Will Skel ever find out what laid this odd egg, and what sort of creature might hatch out of it? This decodable reader practises the ‘kn’ phonogram in words like ‘knew,’ ‘kneel,’ ‘knocking,’ and ‘unknown.’
Zom Moves In
When Zom offers to fix up Skel’s cramped little house into a proper palace, Skel jumps at the chance for more space. But can a zombie who spends three whole days getting the cobwebs just right actually finish building a whole house? And what will Skel find when he comes home from his trip? This decodable reader practises the kn phonogram in words like ‘knew,’ ‘knocking,’ ‘knuckles,’ ‘knobbly,’ and ‘knot.’
Stand Still, Cows!
Ned is brave enough to fight zombies, skeletons, and spooky spiders, but tonight he needs something new: armour! And to make armour, he needs leather, and to get leather, he needs cows. Easy, right? But what happens when the cows refuse to stand still? Can Ned sneak, leap, and swing his way to becoming a real knight? This decodable reader focuses on the kn sound in words like ‘knight,’ ‘kneels,’ ‘knew,’ ‘knock,’ and ‘knuckles.’
Look What I Can Do!
Today, I have a plan - I am going to show Mum EVERY single thing I can do! Can I really chop vegetables, water the flowers, and hang up the washing all by myself? And what about riding my bike - will my wobbly knees let me down, or will I be flying down the street? This decodable reader practises the ‘kn’ sound in words like ‘knack,’ ‘knew,’ ‘knelt,’ and ‘knuckles.’
Mer
Jack has never caught a fish in his life, but today feels different - today he’s sure he’ll reel in something amazing! So when his wobbly branch-and-string rod yanks hard and up pops a grinning green mermaid named Mer, what on earth is a pumpkin boy supposed to do? And why has Mer left her ocean friends behind? This decodable reader practises the kn phonogram in words like ‘knack,’ ‘knot,’ ‘knelt,’ and ‘knobbly.’
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does the silent k rule work in kn words?
When k comes directly before n at the beginning of a word or word part, the k is silent and you only hear n. That is why know, knee, knit and knuckle all start with an n sound. The rule is very reliable, so children can learn kn as a single two-letter spelling for n rather than trying to sound out both letters.
What words have a silent k?
Nearly every word with a silent k uses the kn spelling: know, knew, knee, kneel, knife, knit, knob, knock, knot, knight, knuckle and knowledge. The silent k also appears inside longer words built from these, such as unknown and acknowledge. Grouping kn words by family, like knee and kneel or know and knew, makes them easier to remember.
Why is the k silent in words like knee?
The k was once pronounced: in older forms of English, speakers sounded both the k and the n. Over several centuries the k dropped out of speech, but the written spelling did not change with it, so the letter stayed on the page. Sharing that story helps many children see silent letters as history rather than a trick.
How should children learn silent letters?
Silent letters tend to stick when children link the full spelling to the spoken word, a process called orthographic mapping. Reading kn decodable books helps, because children see the same silent k again and again in real sentences. A meta-analysis by Ehri et al. (2001) found that systematic phonics instruction helped children learn to read better than approaches without it, which supports teaching spellings like kn directly.