Free Animal Books for 1st Graders

Someone has taken a huge bite out of the ripest guava on the tree - but who? Kina and Kale are on the case! Was it a caterpillar, a grasshopper, or maybe even the chicken? When every guess turns out wrong, the brave detectives decide to camp by the tree and wait. Could the sneaky biter only come out at night? This decodable reader builds confidence with open syllables, featuring words like ‘we,’ ‘go,’ ‘my,’ ‘fly,’ and ‘shy.’

Tik the mouse has found the perfect house - quiet, cosy, and empty! But what is that strange round creature sitting on the desk, claiming to be a mouse too? It has no whiskers, no paws, and a cord for a tail! When a very big, very hungry cat comes padding in, can these two mismatched mice possibly help each other? This decodable reader practises VCC/CVCC words such as ‘desk,’ ‘fast,’ ‘help,’ and ‘best.’

Anansi the spider is in real trouble. Leopard has finally caught the trickster and plans to eat him at sundown, locking him in a stone den with no way out. But could a bundle of pods and a clever tale about seasoning be enough to fool a hungry hunter? What plan is spinning in Anansi’s quick little mind? This Bookbot level practises the ‘ch’ sound in words like ‘catch’, ’lunch’, ‘rich’, ‘munch’, and ‘snatch’.

When Len shows off a shiny new gift, Jim blurts out that he has even better stuff at home - but does he really? With his loyal pup at his heels, Jim sets off on a wild hunt through the house, grabbing bits and bobs from every room. Will his big brag land him in a fuss, or will he find something truly special? This lively decodable reader practises short u with j, v, y in words like ‘fun,’ ‘must,’ ‘shrub,’ and ‘hunt.’

Can a wobbly little duck really beat a whole flock of sleek racing birds? Girl says yes - her duck is the fastest in town! But when Boy laughs and the giggles start, Duck will have to prove everyone wrong. Can one small duck, one big race, and one brave girl pull off the trick of a lifetime? This decodable reader practises the ‘ck’ sound in words like ‘duck,’ ‘flock,’ ‘quick,’ ‘clock,’ and ’trick.’

Deep in an old, forgotten mine, Fig Pig grips his little lamp and marches bravely into the dark. What treasures are hiding in the shadows? Who built these huge stone archways, and why did they leave? With a shiny blade tucked under his arm and his trotters wobbling, Fig Pig creeps past sleeping spiders and bubbling lava - but will he spot the warning sign in time? This decodable reader practises silent e words such as ‘brave,’ ‘cave,’ ‘flame,’ ‘shine,’ and ‘race.’

Spring has sprung, and Bug has a fizzy, buzzy feeling in her belly - she wants to SING! But what happens when Duck’s song is too wet, Frog’s is too long, and Big Bird’s is far too loud? Can one tiny bug really find a song of her very own, and will the whole gang ever learn to sing together? This decodable reader practises the ’ng’ sound in words like ‘sing,’ ‘song,’ ’long,’ ‘strong,’ and ‘spring.’

Anansi has cooked a feast fit for a king, and he means to eat every last bite alone. But when weary Turtle knocks at his door, will a few sneaky tricks keep those pots all to himself? And what happens when Turtle sends back an invitation of his own? This clever twist on a favourite folktale practises the ’nk’ sound with lesson words like ‘bank’, ’think’, ‘sink’, ‘chunk’, and ‘winks’.

Have you ever wandered across the wide, flat plains of Minecraft? A pink pig sniffs the dirt, a hen pecks by a tall birch trunk, and horses gallop under a bright blue sky. Could this be the perfect spot to build a ranch? But when too many cows munch the grass, what happens to the land? This decodable reader practises the nk phonogram in words like ‘pink,’ ’trunk,’ ’think,’ ‘dunk,’ and ’thank.’

THUMP! Can you hear the dinosaurs coming? Meet a boastful T-rex and a whole crowd of amazing creatures - some big, some small, some thin, some with mighty long necks that stretch up to the clouds. Who hunts in packs? Who has tiny twins hiding in the plants? And which dinosaur might actually be related to a chicken? Stomp along and find out! This decodable reader practises the ’th’ sound in words like ’thump,’ ’those,’ ’through,’ ’thanks,’ and ’three.'