The Red Boots
A story for a child who is starting to read some of it themselves. Short words, short lines, and a puddle.
Updated
2 min read
Reviewed
A simple original story with short words and repeated phrases, written for children who are beginning to read. Suits ages 5 to 7 and works well read one page each.
The short version
- Short words and repeated lines, so a new reader can predict what comes next.
- Read one line each. Sharing the work keeps the story moving.
- If they get tired, take over. That is not failing.
- Age
- Ages 5–7
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Where
- Indoor
Sam has red boots.
The boots are big. Sam is small.
Sam runs. Stamp, stamp, stamp.
Sam sees a puddle.
The puddle is big. Sam is small.
Sam jumps in. SPLASH!
Mum says, "Sam!"
Sam says, "Sorry."
Sam sees a bigger puddle.
Sam looks at Mum.
Mum looks at Sam.
Mum has boots too. Mum's boots are green.
Mum runs. Stamp, stamp, stamp.
Mum jumps in. SPLASH!
Sam says, "Mum!"
Mum says, "Sorry."
Then they both jump in. SPLASH! SPLASH!
And they walk home wet, and it is fine.
Questions parents ask
How do I use this with a new reader?
Take turns — you read a line, they read a line. It halves the effort and keeps the story going.
What if they get stuck on a word?
Tell them the word after a couple of seconds. Long silences make reading feel like a test.
Why are the sentences so short?
So a child who is decoding each word can still hold on to the meaning by the time they reach the full stop.