Children's Books for 1st Graders

Poor Bee is lost! Can Elephant, who once found a peanut under a rock, help him find his way back to his buzzing friends? First she pops him in a bird’s nest - yikes! Then a dark cave full of glowing eyes - eek! Will these two mismatched pals ever track down the cosy golden hive Bee calls home, and what happens when the helper gets lost too? This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘brave,’ ‘chase,’ ‘home,’ ‘hive,’ and ‘smiles.’

The Baobab drops its fruit for everyone who asks politely, and there is always enough to share. But when a greedy hyena named Fisi decides he wants all of it before dawn, will his shouting and scheming get him a single pod? Can a clever girl and a patient tree teach him that you cannot steal what is freely given? Find out what Fisi finally learns. This story practises the /ŋ/ sound with words like ’long’, ‘bring’, ’thing’, ‘fangs’, and ‘springs’.

Whew, what a morning for Tiren! He is the smallest herd boy, and today all the older boys are sick. Can one small kid guide forty cattle across the dry plains to the watering hole? When a storm rolls in and a hungry hyena creeps out of the grass, what will he do with just his rod and a clear head? This story practises the ‘wh’ sound with lesson words like ‘what’, ‘when’, ‘why’, ‘while’, and ‘whew’.

Rabbit thinks his cosy farm is the best place in the whole world - but what happens when Farmer heads off with a big basket, and a curious bunny hops in for the ride? When Rabbit tumbles out into the wild, he discovers new smells, a big red barn, and one very unfriendly dog! Will being an explorer turn out to be as easy as he hoped? This decodable reader practises VCC/CVCC words such as ‘farm,’ ‘fast,’ ‘past,’ and ‘romp.’

The Clever Hare has bounced out of Crocodile’s jaws, wriggled free of Elephant’s debts, and fooled three angry geese without blinking. But this dawn, Leopard is waiting on a narrow path, and there is no room to run. When one big spotted paw lands on Hare’s tail, what clever trick could possibly save him now, and why is Hare suddenly begging to be thrown into the prickly thornbush? This Bookbot SH level practises the /ʃ/ sound with words like ‘shook’, ‘shut’, ‘crash’, ‘dash’, and ‘fresh’.

On a small island of swaying palms, Siti finds one strange coconut that hums instead of rattles. Who could be hidden inside, and why does her greedy uncle want to snatch it away? Follow Siti through a moonlit night, a race to an ancient tree, and a secret that could change her life forever. Will her one true wish finally come true? This Bookbot level practises the /ʃ/ sound with words like ‘she’, ‘shell’, ‘shake’, ‘shine’ and ‘wish’.

CHINK, CHINK, CHINK goes Steve’s pickaxe - just another boring day in the mine. But what happens when a strange green gem starts glowing in the wall? One touch, one flash, and suddenly Steve is standing under the stars with monsters closing in from every side. Can he outrun a spider, a skeleton, and a baby zombie riding a chicken? This decodable reader practises the ’nk’ sound in words like ‘clink,’ ‘sinks,’ ‘bank,’ ’thank,’ and ‘wink.’

Steve has a shiny red gem - but something is very strange about it. Why do the villagers back away when he holds it up? Why does the cat freeze solid right at his knee? Steve only wanted a hot lunch, but this little green stone might be more trouble than any rumbling belly is worth. What will Steve do when he finds out the truth? This decodable reader practises VC/CVC short vowels with words like ‘hid,’ ‘ran,’ ‘cat,’ and ‘sat.’

Steve’s still stuck with the Cursed Emerald glowing in his hands, and now he’s landed in a strange village where the locals only grunt and hum. Can he find the map lad before the gem’s green pull drags him somewhere worse? When a friendly trade turns into a nasty shock of blue sparks, Steve learns that this emerald really doesn’t like to share. This decodable reader practises the ’nk’ sound in words like ‘blank,’ ‘clink,’ ‘clunk,’ ‘shrinks,’ and ‘winks.’

Alex has a cursed emerald burning a hole in his pocket - and one accidental peek just turned his brother Jake to solid stone! Can a mysterious tin golem hiding in the den hold the secret to breaking the curse? Will hot, red lava really be the answer, or is something far trickier waiting for the brothers? Dash back to base and find out in this thrilling fourth chapter! This decodable reader practises VC/CVC short vowels with words like ‘hid,’ ‘got,’ ’led,’ ‘ran,’ and ‘hot.’