Decodable Books for Jolly Phonics Classrooms: Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed

Dr. Can Do sees jobs everywhere: chilly floors, plain walls, and now a farm full of sheep with wool to spare. He builds a rig, then a shop, then hires a shepherd to run it all, but sitting still just isn’t in him. When the shop is humming along without him, what new job will he dream up next? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ’new’, ‘few’, ‘hues’, ‘value’, ‘huge’.

Sloth is exhausted, and all he wants is the perfect spot for a nap. He climbs higher and higher up the tall tree, hoping each new branch will finally be the right one, but something always goes wrong. Will he ever find a true spot to rest? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ‘chew’, ’new’, ’true’, ‘clue’, ‘dew’.

Ted marches out with his cane, sure of the way to Ava’s party. Kim thinks he needs help, but Ted has ways of knowing that Kim has never noticed. Fish smells, familiar walls, a barking dog: could there really be cues at every turn? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ’true’, ‘clue’, ‘cue’, ‘few’, ’news’.

A girl’s hair has a plan every morning, shading her from summer sun and racing the wind while her dog pursues her down the autumn path. But when she cuts it all off short, she must wait a whole year for it to grow back. Will she ever get her long hair back? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ’tube’, ‘pursues’, ‘dewy’, ‘bluebird’, ‘rule’.

Ned has never seen a bee before, and now one is zooming right past him! He just has to know where it lives, so he chases it through the trees and up a hillside, right to a nest dripping with something sweet and golden. Getting the honey turns out to be trickier than he thinks, but will Ned find a way? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ’true’, ‘few’, ‘clue’, ‘pursues’, ‘quest’.

Big Sis is the coolest kid around - she climbs the highest branches without a wobble and never, ever cries. When her toy plane crashes and their dog barks his biggest, baddest bark, Big Sis just laughs it off. But then her little sibling spots something impossible in the kitchen: real tears. What could possibly make fearless Big Sis cry? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ‘glue’, ’true’, ‘askew’, ‘stew’, ‘phew’.

Nobody in the village can mine like Jill, and every week her friends wait eagerly for her cart. But when Dr Can Do wonders what happens if Jill ever takes a holiday, the friends realise they’d better learn to mine for themselves. So what will Jill teach them, deep underground where water meets lava? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ’true’, ’news’, ‘crew’, ‘huge’, ‘rule’.

Kip peeks out from the shrubs and gasps: crocs fill the mud, right in his path, and there’s news of a party he simply must reach. Snapping and snarling, the hungry mob won’t budge, so how will a small pup ever get past them? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ‘squeal’, ’true’, ‘chewy’, ‘pursue’, ‘huge’.

Ken points across the lake, sure a huge, spiky shape is hiding something evil, and dares his friend to row out and see for themselves. As the little boat glides closer through the mist, the shape looks worse and worse: claws, horns, two glowing eyes staring back. Will they turn around, or find out what’s really out there? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ‘crew’, ’true’, ‘rescue’, ‘clue’, ‘huge’.

A boy is determined to prove he grew every bite of his family’s dinner himself, digging, planting, and fighting off hungry birds along the way. But as the crops grow tall under the moonlight and a nosy cow and hen come sniffing around the fence, will his garden survive long enough for a feast? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ‘stew’, ‘grew’, ’true’, ‘quest’, ‘phew’.

A girl is sure wheels are the greatest thing ever, from jeeps to clocks to the big wheel spinning by the circus tents. But when she wishes all the wheels away, and a grumpy goat is the only clue to who is behind it, will she ever get her answer? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ’true’, ‘clues’, ‘argues’, ’new’, ‘chewing’.

Jill finally has a house of her own, silent, sturdy, and blessedly free of Dr. Can Do’s explosions. But on her very first night in her new bed, a low, awful groan echoes down from somewhere just above her head. Something is hiding in her brand-new ceiling, and it will not come out quietly. What could possibly be lurking up there? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ’new’, ’true’, ‘clue’, ‘crew’, ‘huge’.

Skel hasn’t painted in ages, and his last tree looked like a soggy noodle. But when a poster says the art show is open to anyone, he sets off to find a muse worth painting, something that makes him say wow. Then he spots a sparkly squid staring back from the lake. Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ’new’, ‘blue’, ‘hue’, ‘chews’, ‘phew’.

Ned’s wall is only half built, and the monsters always come at dusk. His pet wolves would rather chew bones than fight, and his floating book of advice never seems to lift a finger. Armour helps a little, but bruises still sting by morning. Can a boy with a plan, a crew of unhelpful friends, and a new blueprint finally hold the line? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ‘crew’, ’new’, ‘blueprint’, ‘chew’, ‘guess’.

Ned finally has a home, a talking book with big opinions, and a brand-new stone pickaxe. But the moment he steps into a dark cave to find “the good stuff,” something hisses in the shadows behind him. Will Ned outrun the danger and find a better way to light his path? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ’new’, ‘blue’, ‘clue’, ’true’, ‘huge’.

When water runs low and every creature is thirsty, a mighty elephant claims the last muddy puddle for himself. But a small tortoise makes a bold bet: he can find water for everyone before the elephant returns from his search. Who will prove right about where water truly hides? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ’true’, ‘few’, ‘clue’, ‘argue’, ‘crew’.

Anansi the spider dreams of owning every story in the world, locked in a chest high above the clouds. To win them, he must bring Nyame the Sky-King four impossible captives, unharmed. His plan starts with a clever trick on a proud, boastful snake by the river. Can a small spider outwit giants many times his size? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ’true’, ‘quest’, ‘shrewd’, ‘stew’, ‘huge’.

Down in the green hills, a wide river always flowed cold and steady, until one strange morning it simply stopped. Nomsa is only nine, but she’s determined to find out why, and what the great river serpent below the still water truly wants back. Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ’true’, ‘clue’, ’new’, ‘few’, ‘rescues’.

Wambũi, the chief’s daughter, is gravely ill, and no one knows why. Her father promises that any child who finds the cure will become her blood-friend for life. A girl named Wanjirũ has a clue no one else has noticed, but the chief’s own pride might stop him from listening to a child. Can she prove what she saw before it’s too late? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ‘clue’, ’new’, ‘blue’, ’true’, ‘few’.

Pip loves a good secret. When Kate’s mum lets slip that Pip’s birthday is coming up, Kate rushes off to plan the biggest surprise party ever, sure that Pip hasn’t got a clue. But Pip heard every word, and now he’s got a big idea of his own. Can he pull off his own surprise before Kate even opens the door? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ‘clue’, ’true’, ‘crew’, ‘squeals’, ‘huge’.

Zom sets out on a big mission: catch the biggest, tastiest fish in the whole blue sea. But fish after fish gives him the slip, until something far stranger than seafood catches his eye instead. What will Zom find at the bottom of the sea? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ‘blue’, ’new’, ‘chew’, ‘clue’, ‘statue’.

Jet is the best navigator in the sea, and he never lets a fishing boat or its clueless crew catch him. But when a sudden storm sweeps him far from home, he must follow a lone lighthouse beam through bright new waters full of strange fish and hues he’s never seen before. Will Jet find his way back before his little cleaner-fish crew stops waiting for him? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ‘crew’, ‘blue’, ‘clue’, ’new’, ’true’.

Alex has a cursed emerald and no clue what to do with it. Racing home, Alex turns to Jake for help, but showing him the gem turns him to stone, a statue frozen mid-grin. There has to be a true way to break the curse; could the answer be hiding somewhere Alex never thought to look? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ‘clue’, ‘blue’, ’true’, ‘statue’, ’new’.

A girl needs one amazing idea for her art project, but her brain feels as blank as the paper on the floor. Her whole family pitches in with paint, snips, pressed leaves, and a story, yet none of it feels finished, until her brother suggests something new. Could gluing it all together make something huge? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ‘glue’, ’new’, ‘blue’, ‘clue’, ‘huge’.

Kofi is the best tracker in his village, or so he says, and he’s set his sights on Nkosi, the great silverback everyone else leaves alone. But crossing a narrow gully, one worn vine snaps, dropping Kofi onto a root shelf with a bad ankle, no bow, and no way up or out. Can he find a way home before the forest teaches him a harder lesson? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ’new’, ’true’, ‘few’, ‘chew’, ‘value’.

Jackal is sure he’s the cleverest beast in the Kalahari, until he spots Kaggen the Mantis by the dry road, eating a bowl of something that smells amazing. Kaggen calls it an old brew and won’t share a single bite. What will Jackal give up to get a taste? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ‘brew’, ’new’, ’true’, ‘chew’, ‘clue’.

Deep in the Congo, cooking pots sit cold and dark because only Leopard keeps a flame, deep in the forest where the trees rise high. A clever goat named Nzala decides she’s had enough of shivering nights, so she sets off to challenge Leopard to a guessing game he can’t resist. Can her wits outsmart him and bring fire home to her village? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ‘clue’, ‘guess’, ’true’, ’new’, ‘phew’.

Crocodile has always lived on the dry, cracked veld, proud and sure he sees everything. But when a brutal dry season shrinks his mudhole to nearly nothing and his tough skin starts to crack too, he grows weak and desperate. Then Mongoose drops a fresh, dripping reed by his snout with news of a deep river nearby. Will Crocodile swallow his pride and go? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ‘few’, ‘phew’, ’true’, ‘clue’, ‘brew’.

Ants are marching across the yard in a line so long and neat it looks drawn with a pencil, and a curious kid decides to follow them to find out why. Hungry ants raid skates, a picnic blanket, and the kitchen cupboards, hunting for something bigger. What could a whole ant army possibly be after? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ‘pursue’, ‘chew’, ‘blue’, ‘quest’, ‘huge’.

Pendo can read faces well enough to know who’s telling the truth, but when a rich merchant blames her father for stealing a bolt of cloth, her word alone means nothing against three paid witnesses. Down at the tide pools, she finds a strange new shell that seems to hold sounds from that very morning. Could it finally help her prove what really happened? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ’true’, ’new’, ‘clue’, ‘few’, ‘glued’.

Spot is the world’s best finder of things, and today he’s off to the zoo with his girl Jane. When she vanishes into the crowd, Spot follows every clue he can find, but each one leads him somewhere unexpected. Will his sniffing and searching finally lead him back to Jane? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ‘clue’, ‘guess’, ’true’, ‘blue’, ‘huge’.

Meow the cat is sure nothing on the farm escapes her notice, until a huge wild ocelot shows up hunting the hens. She can’t fight something so much bigger than herself, so she’ll need a clever trick instead. Can Meow find a plan brave enough to save the day? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ‘huge’, ‘rescue’, ‘clue’, ’true’, ‘dew’.

Deep below Jack, Zom and Skel, something huge and glowing waits on the sea floor, and the fish have vanished. When a gang of honking axolotls bursts up from the dark, only one friend is bold and true enough to face them - but will anyone believe she is not scared at all? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ‘blue’, ’true’, ‘crew’, ‘clue’, ‘huge’.

Red Bird struts along the fence, sure she is the boldest, brightest bird in the yard, but a small white bird watches quietly from the leaves. Higher on the hill, another bird counts the misty fields below and wonders if the best bird might really be standing right there. Who will end up proving it? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ’true’, ‘crew’, ‘dew’, ‘guess’, ‘anew’.

Two dinosaur pals explore a new neighbourhood, leaving squeaky claw marks on shop windows and chasing scooters down the street. But something bigger is coming: a huge, huge crew of dinosaurs, and the whole town is about to feel it. What is really behind this dinosaur crew’s return? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ‘crew’, ‘clue’, ’new’, ‘chew’, ’true’.

Zom isn’t much of a farmer, but he’s a lucky one, so he invites the whole village for a “real farm experience,” promising fresh air, cute animals, and a big breakfast. The villagers pack their bags that afternoon, grinning ear to ear, ready for a treat. But when Zom hands them a very long job list and disappears, will the villagers ever get the feast they were promised? Written for Jolly Phonics classrooms (Step 3, Unit 8: /ue/ mixed), this book practises words like ’new’, ‘crew’, ‘clue’, ’true’, ‘cute’.