Children's Books for 1st Graders

What happens when an ambulance who dreams of speed finally meets a driver as wild as her dreams? Zooming past cars feels amazing at first, but when the road turns to dirt and things start to bump and rattle, is fast really better than careful? Join one shiny ambulance as she learns that her slow, steady driver might just be the best of all. This decodable reader practises VCC/CVCC words like ‘fast,’ ‘bump,’ ‘held,’ ‘kind,’ and ‘best.’

When Dr. Can Do wanders into a village lit by smoky, dripping torches, his eye starts to twitch - could this be the perfect spot for his shiny new workshop? With a click of a switch, a whoosh of a minecart, and trick after trick up his sleeve, will the villagers think he’s a genius or completely out of his mind? This decodable reader focuses on the ck phonogram in words like ‘check,’ ‘click,’ ‘quick,’ ’track,’ and ‘shack.’

Girl is thirsty - the thirstiest she has ever been! But when she grabs her pail, only one tiny drop falls out. Where has all the water gone? The pump is dry, the tank is empty, and even the river has nothing left to give. Will Girl find a drink before she gives up? And why won’t that one little cloud do its job? This decodable reader focuses on the ‘wh’ sound in words like ‘what,’ ‘when,’ ‘where,’ and ‘while.’

When Allie spots an old photo of Mum with short hair, she decides she wants the very same style - right now! But what happens when a little girl gets hold of the craft scissors all by herself? Can noodles, green beans, or a pile of spinach really fix a haircut gone wrong? Allie’s about to find out, and her family is in for quite a surprise! This decodable reader practises the ‘sh’ sound in words like ‘dash,’ ‘fresh,’ ‘splash,’ and ‘wish.’

Two characters are trying to become friends, but things keep getting in the way. One seems prickly and not very cuddly! Will they find a way to get along? Follow along as they try different ideas to become pals. Can they figure out what it takes to be true friends?

The sky above Panha’s town is grey and gloomy, and the sun has been hidden for as long as she can remember. But what if the sun is still up there, waiting? What if a brave girl with a pile of gears could actually build a plane and fly high enough to find it? Climb the hill with Panha and see how far a big idea can take her. This decodable reader practises the ’th’ sound in words such as ’that,’ ’then,’ ’through,’ and ’thuds.'

Steve and Alex catch WAY too much cod - and then make some truly terrible choices about what to do with the leftovers. What happens when fish is left to go bad? Why are cats suddenly swarming the yard, and what giant creature is snuffling around in the cave? Can two friends fix a stinky, slimy, oozy mess before the whole farm turns into an animal party? This decodable reader practises the ng phonogram in words like ‘bring,’ ‘cling,’ ‘strong,’ and ‘song.’

Skel is a skeleton who wants one thing - a loyal, bone-loving dog. When he finds the perfect pup, everything seems wonderful, until the dog starts stealing his actual bones. His arms! His leg! His skull! Can Skel train his cheeky pup before he ends up as a pile on the floor? A decodable reader practising VCC/CVCC words such as ‘held,’ ‘fast,’ ‘felt,’ ‘kept,’ and ’next.’

The Wind Princess is coming at sunrise, and everything at the Rainbow Tower must sparkle! But what happens when Kate reaches for the big magical broom and it growls, dodges, and zooms straight out the window with her still holding on? Can Kate tame a grumpy broom, or will the whole kingdom miss its chance to shine? Buckle up for a wild, bubbly ride above the clouds. This decodable reader practises the ‘sh’ sound in words like ‘brush,’ ‘dash,’ ‘splash,’ ‘fresh,’ and ‘shine.’

When a sneaky fox zips into the pen and grabs a hen, Fig Pig, Tip, and Brat Cat have to think fast - but how do you stop a fox who can leap over logs and outrun everyone in the yard? Brat Cat has a big, noisy plan with an axe, yet Fig Pig is quietly smiling by his shovel. Could a simple hole in the ground save the day? This decodable reader practises CCVC/CCVCC blends in words like ‘stop,’ ‘drop,’ ‘flip,’ ‘snap,’ and ’trap.’