Children's Books for 1st Graders

Ned is hungry, and rabbit stew sounds just right - but what happens when the cutest little bunnies in the field turn out to have a very big, very angry protector? Can Ned outrun a sword-swinging giant rabbit, and will The Book ever convince him that kindness works better than arrows? Hop along for a wild chase, a clever plan, and a surprise in the moonlight. This decodable reader practises the ng phonogram in words like ‘bang,’ ‘sing,’ ‘strong,’ and ’thing.’

Birds zoom, dragonflies zip, and butterflies drift past like leaves on the breeze - but what about us? Could three brave kids with big ideas and bigger dreams really make it up into the sky? When a fluffy cloud and a soaring kite both fail to lift them, will they ever find a way to fly? This decodable reader practises open syllables in words such as ‘fly,’ ‘sky,’ ‘go,’ ‘he,’ and ‘we.’

Ned is DONE with fighting monsters - from now on, he’s a peaceful baker! But to bake cakes, he needs milk, and to get milk, he needs cows. Can Ned lead a herd home with just a handful of wheat? And what happens when dusk falls before his pen is finished and something groans in the shadows? Will Ned keep his cows safe through the night? This decodable reader practises the ’th’ sound in words such as ’this,’ ’thump,’ ’thud,’ and ’thanks.'

Tim has a SECRET mission, and it’s all for Jan’s big birthday surprise! There’s a cake to taste, balloons to puff up, a shiny new bike, and a pretty red dress - but someone has to carry the whole wobbly pile into the party room without tripping. Can Tim balance every single gift? Will the boxes topple before Jan walks through the door? This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘bike,’ ‘cake,’ ‘ride,’ ‘smile,’ and ‘prize.’

Bam thinks his flute music is the sweetest sound on the beach - so sweet it could calm the whole ocean. But what happens when he plays a little louder, just to see? Something huge is sleeping deep beneath the bay, and one wrong note might wake it up. Can a boy with a flute hush a furious sea beast before the waves swallow the shore? This decodable reader practises the ‘sh’ sound in words like ‘hush,’ ‘shade,’ ‘shook,’ ‘shore,’ and ‘splash.’

Drip, drop - can you feel the rain on your nose? When the sky opens up, one girl throws her arms wide and dances in every splash. There’s music on the roof, a peacock on the path, and something warm bubbling in Mum’s pot. What wonderful surprises will the rain leave behind once it finally quiets down? This decodable reader practises CCVC/CCVCC blends through words like ‘drip,’ ‘plops,’ ‘grin,’ ‘stands,’ and ‘smells.’

Dr. Can Do’s stove gobbles logs faster than he can chop them, and his pile is nearly gone! Can a clever twig of bamboo save the day? He builds a huge, shiny machine with polished stone and gleaming parts - but why does one curious hen keep pecking at his invention? Will Doc ever figure out how she sneaks in? Join the chase in this funny farmyard flap. This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘made,’ ‘fine,’ ‘hide,’ ‘place,’ and ’time.’

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 practises the ’ng’ sound in words like ‘strong,’ ‘sprang,’ ‘flings,’ and ‘rings.’

Fred has a secret talent and a sneaky little game. He picks up his pencil, draws a circle, then another, then a big black shape - and dares you to guess what it is. Is it a frog? A duck? A drone with legs? Every time you shout an answer, Fred just grins and keeps going. Can you work out what Fred is drawing before he finishes? This decodable reader practises the ‘ck’ sound in words like ‘quick,’ ‘click,’ ‘stack,’ and ’trick.’

When pillagers swarm the hills and a giant Ravager comes snorting out of the trees, who will stand up to save the village? With only an iron golem, two brave dogs, and a shiny golden axe for company, one hero must find the courage to fight - but can anyone really take down a beast that eats swords for breakfast? This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘brave,’ ‘huge,’ ‘strike,’ ‘pride,’ and ‘smile.’