Children's Books for 1st Graders

Tip has a plan so grand - he’s off on a quest to write about every job in the village! But what happens when a stone mason’s crack makes him jump, a map turns into a potato, and a shiny sword catches his eye? Can a reporter with a blank notebook still find the best story of all? This decodable reader practises CCVC/CCVCC blends in words like ‘plan,’ ‘grand,’ ‘crops,’ and ‘stiff.’

Tip is having the worst day ever - zombies chased her, her farm flooded, and now she just wants to hide under the covers forever! But when Brat Cat peeks in with a bright red tulip and Fig Pig bursts through with glowing vines, will her grumpy mood survive all this cheer? Can two silly friends turn a terrible day around? This decodable reader practises VCC/CVCC words including ‘felt,’ ‘went,’ ‘rest,’ ‘held,’ and ‘gift.’

Deep in the jungle lives Rafa, a big red flower with bold white spots and a smell so strong it could curl your toes! The other flowers giggle and groan, but Rafa just grins and puffs up her petals. Why won’t the butterflies visit her? And who are the special friends zooming in on tiny buzzing wings? Could Rafa’s stinky secret actually be her superpower? This decodable reader practises open syllables in words like ‘cry,’ ‘fly,’ ‘sky,’ ’try,’ and ‘we.’

Have you ever meant to help… and made a giant splash instead? Meet a kid with a big, busy life full of chums, cuddly cats, bike rides with Grandad, bedtime tales with Nan, and one very patient uncle with a watering hose. What happens when the plants get a sprinkle - and so does Uncle? Get ready to giggle! This decodable reader practises the ch sound in words like ‘bunch,’ ‘catch,’ ‘chase,’ ‘much,’ and ’twitch.’

Ling is delivering figs to Nan, but every house along the way looks more exciting than the last. A stilt house in the sky? A shop that smells like lunch? A garage with a roaring bike? Even a house floating on the waves! Which one will Ling choose for a forever home? This decodable reader practises the ’ng’ sound in words like ‘bang,’ ‘brings,’ ‘rings,’ and ‘sings.’

Kip has somewhere very important to be - but a hungry mob of crocs is blocking the path through the mud! Can Kip outrun the snapping jaws? Can he leap over the pond before the crocs catch up? Join this brave little hero as he jumps rocks, sails over surprised frogs, and races toward a very special surprise waiting just for him. This decodable reader practises short u with j, v, y in words like ‘jump,’ ‘mud,’ ‘run,’ ‘stuck,’ and ‘yum.’

Zara has one big dream: to discover a brand new microbe that nobody has ever seen before. But where do you start hunting for something so tiny? When a stinky smell drifts out of the lab fridge, Zara’s super-powered nose gets to work. Could this gross, fuzzy fruit really be hiding a scientific treasure? Join Zara as she sniffs, tests, and investigates. This decodable reader practises the th phonogram in words like ’that,’ ’then,’ ’these,’ and ’thinks.'

Could you survive where the sun is sharp and water is scarce? Step into the desert biome, where cacti stand alone, husks freeze in the shade, and sand stretches as far as the eye can see. What treasures might be buried beneath the dunes, and how do clever mobs stay cool when the heat blazes overhead? Grab your map and get ready to explore a land of hidden wonders. This decodable reader practises the ‘sh’ sound in words like ‘shade,’ ‘sharp,’ ‘shines,’ and ‘stash.’

Bird has built the perfect nest at the tip-top of the tallest tree - but then BUMP! An elephant comes scratching, and her twigs start to wobble. Can Bird find a safe spot on a stone wall? What happens when two giant eyes peek through the leaves? After three nest disasters, will Bird ever find a home where nothing can bump or bother her again? This decodable reader practises open syllables in words such as ‘my,’ ‘sky,’ ‘fly,’ ‘go,’ and ‘why.’

Have you ever wondered what hides in the middle of a lake? When Ken and his friend push a little boat off the dock, they spot horns, shadows, and something with huge, sharp teeth rising from the water! Is it a monster, a giant fish, or something else entirely? Grab the oars and paddle along to find out! This decodable reader practises the ‘ch’ sound in words like ‘check,’ ‘chunk,’ ‘munch,’ ‘branch,’ and ‘cheer.’