Step into Reading: Step 1 Books in Order
Step into Reading: Step 1 is a 7-book series by Kristen L. Depken for ages 5–8, at a grades K–2 reading level, with gentle to mild content (HootRated intensity 1–2 out of 5).
- Books
- 7
- By publication date
- Content intensity
- Gentle to mild
- HootRated 1–2 out of 5 · avg 1.1
Step into Reading: Step 1 Reading Order
Series numbers aren't available for most Step into Reading: Step 1 books, so they're listed by publication date (oldest first).
| # | Title | Reading Level | Ages | Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shy Little Kitten 2015 | Level K-1 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 2 | The poky little puppy 2015 | Level K-1 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 3 | Little Rabbit 2016 · Judy Dunn | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 4 | Little Duck 2017 · Judy Dunn | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 5 | Scuffy the Tugboat 2017 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 6 | Time for School, Little Dinosaur 2017 · Gail Herman | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Mild |
| 7 | Big Shark, Little Shark, Baby Shark 2020 · Anna Membrino | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
Content Intensity Across the Series
ConsistentContent stays at a steady intensity level throughout the series.
Series books grow with readers — but that's also the trap. Most series start at one reading level and one content intensity and drift upward over the course of the run. Step into Reading: Step 1 (7 books by Kristen L. Depken) lands at a grades K–2 reading level, with average content intensity 1.1/5. Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.
The reading-order table above lists every book with per-volume reading level, age and intensity ratings so you can spot any escalation before it catches your reader off guard. For a deeper dive into how we score text difficulty vs. emotional weight separately — and why series readers especially benefit from that split — see our methodology page.
All Step into Reading: Step 1 Books
Shy Little Kitten
Kristen L. Depken
Shy Little Kitten
Kristen L. Depken
The poky little puppy
Kristen L. Depken
The poky little puppy
Kristen L. Depken
Little Rabbit
Judy Dunn
Little Rabbit
Judy Dunn
Little Duck
Judy Dunn
Little Duck
Judy Dunn
Scuffy the Tugboat
Kristen L. Depken
Scuffy the Tugboat
Kristen L. Depken
Time for School, Little Dinosaur
Gail Herman
Time for School, Little Dinosaur
Gail Herman
Big Shark, Little Shark, Baby Shark
Anna Membrino
Big Shark, Little Shark, Baby Shark
Anna Membrino
Series Like Step into Reading: Step 1: What to Read Next
Similar reading level, content intensity and themes.
- Dominie Phonics Readers by Dominie Elementary 10 books · Grades K–2 · gentle content
- Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle 9 books · Grades 1–2 · gentle content
- Reading for All Learners by Penny Hansen Findlay 5 books · Grades K–1 · gentle content
- Hat Trilogy by Jon Klassen 3 books · Grades 1–2 · gentle content
- Five Little Monkeys by Eileen Christelow 9 books · Grades 1–3 · gentle to mild content
- Kaeden: Early by Mary E. Pearson 3 books · Grades 1–2 · gentle content
Questions about the Step into Reading: Step 1 series
- What reading level is the Step into Reading: Step 1 series?
- Step into Reading: Step 1 books are at a grades K–2 reading level (average grade level 1.2), and HootRated recommends the series for ages 5–8. There are 7 books in the series.
- What order should I read the Step into Reading: Step 1 books?
- Series numbers aren't available for most Step into Reading: Step 1 books, so HootRated lists them by publication date: Shy Little Kitten (2015); The poky little puppy (2015); Little Rabbit (2016); Little Duck (2017); Scuffy the Tugboat (2017); and 2 more.
- What age is the Step into Reading: Step 1 series appropriate for?
- HootRated recommends Step into Reading: Step 1 for ages 5–8. Content is gentle to mild (HootRated intensity 1–2 out of 5). Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.