Free Books for 1st Graders

Ned has built a snug little shed on a sunny hill, and he thinks his work is finally done - but what happens when The Book says it’s time to dig? Armed with a brand new shovel and a grin from ear to ear, Ned scoops sand, carves tunnels, and clangs straight into something hard and shiny. Can one small tool really crack solid stone? This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘make,’ ’nice,’ ‘wide,’ ‘brave,’ and ‘stone.’

Ned spots a bee buzzing past a lush bush and just has to know where it lives. But when he finds a nest full of fresh, golden honey, will he listen to The Book’s warnings, or grab his axe and charge in? And what happens when his new bee friends love him a little too much? A bold, buzzing adventure full of sticky surprises! This decodable reader practises the sh phonogram in words like ‘bush,’ ‘fresh,’ ‘hush,’ ‘rush,’ and ‘shirt.’

Rain, rain, and more rain - will the sky ever clear? When the sun finally breaks through, it’s time to race outside with a homemade kite and a very special secret weapon painted right on the front: a troll queen with a golden crown and the biggest smile around. Can she soar higher than the monster kite and the fish kite too? Get ready to cheer! This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘kite,’ ‘glide,’ ‘shape,’ ‘smile,’ and ‘pride.’

When Jack and Ben fight over a toy, Mum sends them straight to bed - but what happens when Jack dreams up a giant elephant and zooms off across the plains without his little brother? What if Ben needs him? Can Jack reach his brother before it’s too late? Climb on and hold tight for a wild ride full of heart and hope! This decodable reader practises the ‘wh’ sound in words like ‘what,’ ‘when,’ ‘whizz,’ ‘whew,’ and ‘whole.’

What is making that tap-tap-tap sound while Kim tries to nap? When a dusty old loom starts shaking all on its own, Kim climbs aboard and suddenly she’s lifting off the ground, rising past rooftops and soaring into the clouds. Will she hold on tight as the loom dives, splashes, and swirls through a world bursting with colour? This decodable reader practises open syllables in words such as “fly,” “sky,” “we,” “me,” and “why.”

Jill has a hard task - piles of cobblestone everywhere, and the line at the stone-disposal bin is far too long! Can she really build her own bin with just a list of parts, a bucket, and a whole lot of stubborn grit? When things go wrong and a tiny piece goes missing, will Jill figure it out before the sun sets? This decodable reader practises VCC/CVCC words such as ‘hard,’ ’task,’ ’list,’ ‘fast,’ and ‘best.’

The bravest explorer in the whole world has walked through dark caves and crossed rivers at night - so why is this quiet village under the full moon making their legs wobble? The jack-o-lanterns glow, the huts stand empty, and a see-through cat is watching every step. Where did all the villagers go, and what rises up when the rain comes hammering down? This decodable reader practises the ’ng’ sound in words like ’long,’ ‘sing,’ ‘strong,’ and ’twang.’

Kit the cat has vanished from her pillow, leaving only a tiny dent and one white whisker behind! Where could she be hiding? Is she curled up in the big blue pot, tucked high on the cupboard, or giggling somewhere just out of sight? Follow along as one very worried kid hunts high, low, and everywhere in between to track down a sneaky little cat. This decodable reader practises the ‘sh’ sound in words like ‘shake,’ ‘shove,’ ‘bush,’ ‘dash,’ and ‘hush.’

When a hungry troll creeps out of the woods and snatches clever Nib right out of her cosy hut, can a single ball of red wool really outsmart a shaggy giant? Tied up in a tall tree with her brothers far away on the hills, Nib has only her quick fingers and a very sneaky plan. Will the wool lead help in time? This decodable reader practises short u with j, v, y in words like ‘jumps,’ ‘yanks,’ ‘huff,’ and ‘hush.’

Two wandering villagers have drifted into a dark cave - and something green and groaning is waiting inside! Can a brave hero brew the perfect potion in time? Will one quick throw be enough to save the day, or is it already too late for these poor villagers? Sneak into the shadows and find out! This decodable reader practises the ck phonogram in words like ’neck,’ ‘quick,’ ‘struck,’ ‘stuck,’ and ‘wreck.’