Free Animal Books for 1st Graders

Poor Sloth is SO sleepy - the kind of sleepy where your arms feel like noodles and your eyeballs feel like bowling balls! All he wants is the perfect branch for the biggest, longest nap ever. But will a hungry giraffe leave him alone? What about the buzzing bees, the grumpy snake, and that very loud bird? Can one tired sloth ever find a quiet spot to snooze? This decodable reader practises the ch sound in words like ‘branch,’ ‘munch,’ ‘crunch,’ and ‘reach.’

What happens when a curious girl follows her nose to the smelliest surprise in the park? Something stinky is hiding behind a bush, and when she finds a muddy creature with a goofy grin, she knows she has to keep it! But how will she sneak it past Mum, and what’s really under all that mud? Get ready for mud puddles, muddy footprints, and a very bubbly bath. This decodable reader practises CCVC/CCVCC blends in words like ‘drops,’ ‘scrub,’ ‘stomps,’ and ‘grins.’

Anansi finds a strange moss-covered rock deep in the forest, one that hums with something that isn’t quite sound and makes anyone who speaks to it fall fast asleep. Can a clever, greedy spider really trick every animal out of their dinner? And what happens when quiet little Bush Deer watches the whole scheme unfold? Young readers will love finding out. This Bookbot level practises the ‘wh’ sound with words like ‘what’, ‘when’, ‘whole’, ‘whizz’, and ‘whew’.

Hank has one enormous dream - he wants to fly! But his wings are small, his body is big, and his feet just won’t leave the ground. When the other birds laugh and say birds like Hank don’t fly, will he give up on his dream? Or could a plank, some tape, and a very big idea change everything? Grab your goggles and find out! This decodable reader practises the nk sound in words like ‘bank,’ ‘clank,’ ‘shrink,’ and ’think.’

Bones is the bravest dog in the valley - until a terrible storm sends him bolting into the dark woods. Lost and hungry, he meets a wolf pack with pale, watching eyes, and soon he’s running wild beside them, leaving his red bandana behind. But what happens when Zom finds him in the forest clearing? Can Skel bring his best friend home again? This decodable reader practises the sh phonogram through words like ‘crash,’ ‘dash,’ ‘fresh,’ ‘rush,’ and ‘shook.’

Crow has a big plan - he’s going to WOW the animals with his amazing singing voice! But when he opens his beak, Hank, Pink, and Frank bolt away in a blink. Was his song really that bad? Can Crow find a way to win his chums back, or will he sing alone forever? Hop onto the stage and find out what happens when Crow hands over the microphone! This decodable reader practises the nk sound in words like ‘blink,’ ’thank,’ ‘clunk,’ and ’trunk.’

One huge elephant, one tiny red cart, and it will NOT budge - can you help push? As the day unfolds, there are eggs to count, bubbles to blow, a giant ant to ride, and a sparkly spider waiting in its web. Will Child ever reach ten? And what about that stubborn elephant back at the start? This decodable reader practises short u with j, v, y in words like ‘jump,’ ‘just,’ ’tug,’ and ‘fun.’

Poor Pup just wants a nap, but something in the garden keeps going CHIRP! CHIRP! Who could be making all that noise? Is it Trunk the elephant, with his big floppy trumpet? Is it prickly Spike, or the colourful toucans high up in the tree? Pup sniffs and searches every bush to track down the mystery chirper - but will he ever get his quiet little snooze? This decodable reader practises the ‘ch’ sound in words like ‘chirp,’ ‘chirps,’ ‘branch,’ and ‘patch.’

Meet one very clever cat who knows exactly who owns the house - and it is NOT the kids! Does he need a bath? No thanks, a quick lick will do. Can a mouse sneak past him? Not a chance. And what about that rude boy next door who sticks out his tongue? Just wait and see what this fluffy boss has planned! This decodable reader practises the ’th’ sound in words like ’this,’ ’that,’ ’teeth,’ and ’think.'

Pip the squirrel has stashed forty-nine nuts all over Butternut Hill, ready for winter - but when she checks her secret spots, every single nut has vanished! Who would take them? The buzzing bees? A sneaky fly? Her kind friend Liz? Pip is determined to solve the mystery, even if it means tumbling out of a tree or two along the way. Could the answer be hiding somewhere she never thought to look? This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘hive,’ ‘chase,’ ‘dome,’ and ‘smile.’