After reading, ask these questions to check understanding:
Picture worksheets to read, match and spell short u words, plus this story's word sort, phrasing cards and word search.
Download Mini-Book
Free kindergarten reading comprehension sheets, built from the same short-vowel words as this book. Black and white, with answer keys.
See the kindergarten sheets →
“Gus the Pup” is a free printable decodable reader designed for kindergarten students practicing short u phonics patterns. This mini-book uses phonetically controlled vocabulary so beginning readers can successfully sound out nearly every word in the story, building confidence and reinforcing the specific phonics skills they're learning.
The free PDF is a full-color illustrated mini-book: a cover, four picture pages with one or two lines of story text each, and a back page listing the short u words, high-frequency words, and discussion questions. Print the three sheets, cut each one in half along the dashed line, and staple — your child has a real little book to hold. A read-aloud version with one large page per sheet is also included for projecting to the whole class.
This reader is part of our collection of free decodable readers organized by phonics skill and aligned with the Science of Reading. For additional practice with short u patterns, try our short u phonics worksheets which include word sorts, phrasing practice cards, and rapid naming charts.
Printable Scholar
