31 of the Best Level 1 Books for Early Readers
Growing readers want to read the best level 1 books — books with great stories and information that will keep them excited about reading. That’s why we’ve put together a master list of level 1 reading books for children. Here you’ll find excellent, engaging early reader books for your beginning readers.
These level 1 reading books feature short sentences, big type, and supportive picture clues. Often, you’ll see repetition in sentence structure as well as rhyme, both of which help the reader predict and decode new words.
This list originally appeared on ReadBrightly.com.
-
1
Add to BookshelfClara and Clem in Outer Space
by Ethan Long
Clara and Clem are in for unexpected surprises when their robot made of blocks transports them into space.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$5.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
2
Add to Bookshelf
Sam and the Firefly
by P.D. Eastman
Anyone who fell in love with Are You My Mother? and Go, Dog. Go! needs to get their hands on this lesser-known classic from P.D. Eastman. Kids will giggle through this story about an owl and a firefly zooming through the air, writing words against the night sky, and unintentionally creating chaos for everyone on the ground.
Add to BookshelfHardcover
$9.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
3
Add to Bookshelf
Go, Dog. Go!
by P.D. Eastman
It’s a classic for a reason. Big and little dogs, red and green dogs all go to a dog party in this wild and crazy rhyming story.
Add to BookshelfHardcover
$9.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
4
Add to Bookshelf
The Rock from the Sky
by Jon Klassen
Beginning readers love the simple text, quirky illustrations, and dry humor of Jon Klassen’s books. In this story, a couple of animals debate the merits of standing in a particular spot. At the same time, they have the nagging feeling that something isn’t quite right. This extra-long picture book pairs well with Jon Klassen’s Hat Box.
Add to BookshelfHardcover
$18.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
5
Add to Bookshelf
Cat Traps
by Molly Coxe
A cat sets a trap for a snack but continues to get something unexpected instead.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$5.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
6
Add to Bookshelf
Ten Apples Up On Top!
by Dr. Seuss
These animals can do all sorts of amazing things while balancing apples on top of their heads in this beginning reader filled with both silly humor and illustrations.
Add to BookshelfHardcover
$9.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
7
Add to Bookshelf
Otis’s Busy Day
by Loren Long
Spend a day on the farm with your child’s favorite little tractor! Kids who enjoyed the Otis picture book series or the animated television show will appreciate seeing the tractor’s friendly face and familiar farm animals in this story.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$5.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
8
Add to Bookshelf
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
by Dr. Seuss
Goofy rhyming stories help kids master new (and invented) words with Dr. Seuss’s unusual creatures and their antics.
Add to BookshelfHardcover
$9.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
9
Add to Bookshelf
Max Finds an Egg
by Wiley Blevins
Max imagines the egg he finds is a dinosaur egg and takes very good care of it. What animal will be inside?
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$5.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
10
Add to Bookshelf
Driving School (Elbow Grease)
by John Cena
Young readers who can’t get enough of the adorable monster truck named Elbow Grease will happily crack open this book. In this early reader story, Elbow Grease and his brothers head to driving school, where they learn to obey the rules and stay safe.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$5.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
11
Add to Bookshelf
At the Beach
by Alexa Andrews
Simple sentences describe the wonders of the ocean and beach.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$5.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
12
Add to Bookshelf
Garden Day!
by Candice Ransom
A brother and sister plant peas in their backyard and (with the help of their parents!) build a scarecrow to protect them in this early reader perfect for springtime.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$5.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
13
Add to Bookshelf
I Love Being Me!
by Mechal Renee Roe
Learning to read has never felt so good. Vibrant colors and joyful affirmations fill this leveled reader book from the creator of Happy Hair and Cool Cuts. The uplifting text will boost your child’s confidence in reading and themselves. And don’t miss Mechal Renee Roe’s other level 1 read, I Am Born to Be Awesome!.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$4.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
14
Add to Bookshelf
Penguin Problems
by Jory John
Young readers will have a hoot over the gripes of a particularly sassy penguin. For starters, why does everyone have to wear the same outfit?
Add to BookshelfHardcover
$18.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
15
Add to Bookshelf
Big Red Lollipop
by Rukhsana Khan
Rubina can’t wait for her friend’s birthday party — until, that is, her mother insists that she take her little sister, Sana. Will the two be able to get along, even when Sana swipes Rubina’s party favor?
Add to BookshelfHardcover
$18.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
16
Add to Bookshelf
Big Snowman, Little Snowman (Disney Frozen)
by Tish Rabe
One of the easiest ways to encourage new readers is to give them a book featuring their favorite movie characters. Young children will love learning concepts and practicing their budding reading skills with the cast of Disney’s Frozen.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$5.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
17
Add to Bookshelf
Shh! We Have a Plan
by Chris Haughton
Chris Haughton’s vibrant illustrations bring to life this rib-tickling story about a group of friends whose hijinks keep going awry. And don’t miss Haughton’s seaside story, Don’t Worry, Little Crab.
Add to BookshelfHardcover
$19.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
18
Add to Bookshelf
Soccer Time!
by Terry Pierce
Learning to read independently and how to score a goal at the same time? That’s what you call a win-win.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$5.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
19
Add to Bookshelf
The Moon’s Time to Shine (StoryBots)
by Storybots
Learn about the moon with the help of your favorite StoryBots characters! From its orbit to its light, readers will discover many exciting, out-of-this-world facts about the moon.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$5.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
20
Add to Bookshelf
Bake, Mice, Bake!
by Eric Seltzer
Some talented mice whip up delicious baked goods at the Cakes and More bakery. Fair warning: This one might give your reader the munchies.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$5.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
21
Add to Bookshelf
It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny
by Marilyn Sadler
P.J. Funnybunny is on a mission to be anything other than a bunny. But bears, birds, possums, and skunks don’t seem to suit. Is it possible that being a bunny is perfect for P.J. after all?
Add to BookshelfHardcover
$9.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
22
Add to Bookshelf
Big Shark, Little Shark
by Anna Membrino
Two hungry sharks go hunting for a snack in this Level 1 book about opposites. Rhyming text, colorful illustrations, and expressive characters make this story a favorite of beginning readers everywhere.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$5.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
23
Add to Bookshelf
Fish Are Not Afraid of Doctors
by J. E. Morris
Nervous about getting a shot at the doctor’s office, Maud imagines she’s a fish swimming serenely in the doctor’s aquarium. She gets so wrapped up in daydreaming that she doesn’t even notice that the scary part’s over.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$5.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
24
Add to Bookshelf
Little Critter: The Original Classics (Little Critter)
by Mercer Mayer
This hardcover edition features all of the Little Critter classics. Its heft will make your beginning reader feel like a pro, and its heart will make them a Little Critter fan for life.
Add to BookshelfHardcover
$18.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
25
Add to Bookshelf
I Will Race You Through This Book!
by Jonathan Fenske
From the creator of A Pig, a Fox, and a Box comes a funny, interactive reading adventure your child will want to experience again and again. Book-It Bunny loves running, and she wants to race you to the end of the book. But keep your eye on her because she’ll do whatever it takes to win.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$5.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
26
Add to Bookshelf
I Love My Grandma!
by Frances Gilbert
Perfect for taking to grandma’s house, this sweet read celebrates family lineage, as a little girl realizes that her grandma had a grandma, too!
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$5.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
27
Add to Bookshelf
A Piglet Named Mercy
by Kate DiCamillo
The prequel to Kate DiCamillo’s beloved Mercy Watson series is ideal for new readers. Whether they’ve grown up listening to older siblings read about Mercy’s escapades or they’re new to Deckawoo Drive, they’ll love every minute of this origin story.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$8.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
28
Add to Bookshelf
Can I Be Your Dog?
by Troy Cummings
Arfy the mutt sends heartfelt (and hilarious) letters to everyone on Butternut Street, angling for a forever home. Who could say no to that cute face?
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$8.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
29
Add to Bookshelf
Tyrannosaurus Rex (StoryBots)
by Storybots
If your child loves watching StoryBots on YouTube, they’ll enjoy this beginning reader book featuring the show’s colorful characters. From its body size to its diet, readers will learn about the king of the dinosaurs — tyrannosaurus rex!
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$4.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
30
Add to Bookshelf
Llama Llama Loves to Read
by Anna Dewdney and Reed Duncan
Little Llama’s love for reading is contagious. Anna Dewdney and Reed Duncan perfectly capture the exhilaration over that first time we start to recognize words.
Add to BookshelfHardcover
$18.99Buy from Other Retailers:
