Decodable Books for First Grade

Help a first grader practice decoding, fluency, and early reading skills with nine free first-grade decodable books from Once.

The Itty Bitty Planet decodable book cover

Early First Grade

Engaging stories for readers strengthening fluency while applying the sound-spelling patterns they already know.

Open Wide

Sounds in this book

/ă/
/m/
/t/
/ē/
/s/
/ĭ/
/f/
/d/
/r/
/th/
/ŏ/
/g/
/l/
/h/
/ŭ/
/k/
/b/
/n/
/sh/
/ā/
/v/
/ō/
/w/
/ch/
/ŏr/
/ər/
/ĕ/
/j/
/p/
/ī/

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The Contest

Sounds in this book

/ă/
/m/
/t/
/ē/
/s/
/ĭ/
/f/
/d/
/r/
/th/
/ŏ/
/g/
/l/
/h/
/ŭ/
/k/
/b/
/n/
/sh/
/ā/
/v/
/ō/
/w/
/ch/
/ŏr/
/ər/
/ĕ/
/j/
/p/
/ī/
/ĭŋ/
/y/
/ks/

Read free

The Twins

Sounds in this book

/ă/
/m/
/t/
/ē/
/s/
/ĭ/
/f/
/d/
/r/
/th/
/ŏ/
/g/
/l/
/h/
/ŭ/
/k/
/b/
/n/
/sh/
/ā/
/v/
/ō/
/w/
/ch/
/ŏr/
/ər/
/ĕ/
/j/
/p/
/ī/
/ĭŋ/
/y/
/ks/
/kw/
/z/
/ū/

Read free

Mid-Year First Grade

More complex stories for readers building automatic word recognition, phrasing, and reading stamina.

Dinner Time

Sounds in this book

/ă/
/m/
/t/
/ē/
/s/
/ĭ/
/f/
/d/
/r/
/th/
/ŏ/
/g/
/l/
/h/
/ŭ/
/k/
/b/
/n/
/sh/
/ā/
/v/
/ō/
/w/
/ch/
/ŏr/
/ər/
/ĕ/
/j/
/p/
/ī/
/ĭŋ/
/y/
/ks/
/kw/
/z/
/ū/

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I Dare You!

Sounds in this book

/ă/
/m/
/t/
/ē/
/s/
/ĭ/
/f/
/d/
/r/
/th/
/ŏ/
/g/
/l/
/h/
/ŭ/
/k/
/b/
/n/
/sh/
/ā/
/v/
/ō/
/w/
/ch/
/ŏr/
/ər/
/ĕ/
/j/
/p/
/ī/
/ĭŋ/
/y/
/ks/
/kw/
/z/
/ū/

Read free

Keep It Simple, Silly

Sounds in this book

/ă/
/m/
/t/
/ē/
/s/
/ĭ/
/f/
/d/
/r/
/th/
/ŏ/
/g/
/l/
/h/
/ŭ/
/k/
/b/
/n/
/sh/
/ā/
/v/
/ō/
/w/
/ch/
/ŏr/
/ər/
/ĕ/
/j/
/p/
/ī/
/ĭŋ/
/y/
/ks/
/kw/
/z/
/ū/

Read free

End-of-Year First Grade

Longer reading practice for children ready to combine decoding accuracy with smoother, more expressive reading.

The Rope Battle

Sounds in this book

/ă/
/m/
/t/
/ē/
/s/
/ĭ/
/f/
/d/
/r/
/th/
/ŏ/
/g/
/l/
/h/
/ŭ/
/k/
/b/
/n/
/sh/
/ā/
/v/
/ō/
/w/
/ch/
/ŏr/
/ər/
/ĕ/
/j/
/p/
/ī/
/ĭŋ/
/y/
/ks/
/kw/
/z/
/ū/

Read free

The Itty Bitty Planet

Sounds in this book

/ă/
/m/
/t/
/ē/
/s/
/ĭ/
/f/
/d/
/r/
/th/
/ŏ/
/g/
/l/
/h/
/ŭ/
/k/
/b/
/n/
/sh/
/ā/
/v/
/ō/
/w/
/ch/
/ŏr/
/ər/
/ĕ/
/j/
/p/
/ī/
/ĭŋ/
/y/
/ks/
/kw/
/z/
/ū/

Read free

Magic Tricks

Sounds in this book

/ă/
/m/
/t/
/ē/
/s/
/ĭ/
/f/
/d/
/r/
/th/
/ŏ/
/g/
/l/
/h/
/ŭ/
/k/
/b/
/n/
/sh/
/ā/
/v/
/ō/
/w/
/ch/
/ŏr/
/ər/
/ĕ/
/j/
/p/
/ī/
/ĭŋ/
/y/
/ks/
/kw/
/z/
/ū/

Read free

How to use these first-grade decodable books

Step 1

Match the sounds

Choose a book whose sound list matches what the child has already been taught.

Step 2

Let the child decode

Give them time to blend from left to right instead of guessing from the picture.

Step 3

Reread for fluency

Read the book again once the words are accurate and the child is ready to read more smoothly.

Once specialized orthography

These books use Once's specialized orthography

Once adds temporary visual cues around regular letters so children can connect print to speech and blend without guessing. The cues fade as readers become more independent.

Start at the circle

The open circle shows where the finger begins.

Follow the arrow

The line reinforces smooth left-to-right tracking.

Hold at the dot

A dot shows where to hold a continuous sound.

Read letters together

Connected letters show when two characters represent one sound.

Hear the sounds in Once

Start at the circle · Hold at the dot · Read to the arrow

Keep reading with Once

Want more than these nine books?

Create a Once account for the complete lesson sequence, additional decodable books, scripted instruction, and coaching.

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First-grade decodable book FAQs

What are decodable books?

Decodable books are written so beginning readers can practice sound-spelling patterns they have already learned. They encourage children to blend and sound out words rather than rely on pictures or guessing.

Are these first-grade decodable books free?

Yes. The nine books featured on this page are free to read directly from their book links. Families and schools that want access to more Once books can create a Once account.

Which book should a first-grade reader start with?

Compare the sounds listed on each card with the sounds the child has already learned. If you use the Once curriculum, choose a book at or below the most recently completed cycle.

What is Once specialized orthography?

Once adds temporary visual cues to regular letters. Circles show where to begin, arrows reinforce left-to-right movement, dots show where to hold a continuous sound, and connected letters show when two characters represent one sound.