Printable Scholar
Home/Reading/Decodable Readers/Level 4/Max and the Big Sleigh

Max and the Big Sleigh

Vowel Teams — EI and EIGH 1st-2nd Phase 4
Max and the Big Sleigh
Max and the Big Sleigh, page 1
1It was a cold, white day on the hill. Max had a big job to do. He had to pull a sleigh full of freight up to his neighbors at the top.
Max and the Big Sleigh, page 2
2Eight crates sat in the back, and each crate was packed to the brim. Max held the reins and gave a big tug.
Max and the Big Sleigh, page 3
3The sleigh did not go. He pulled again. The sleigh slid one inch, then stopped. "The weight is too much for me," Max said with a huff.
Max and the Big Sleigh, page 4
4Just then, his neighbor Glen came up the path. "Do you weigh more than that sleigh?" Glen asked with a grin. "No, I do not," said Max.
Max and the Big Sleigh, page 5
5"Neither do I," said Glen. "But together we might." Glen found two more reins in the sleigh and clipped them on. Then Max and Glen stood side by side.
Max and the Big Sleigh, page 6
6"One, two, three, pull!" yelled Max. The sleigh gave a shake, and then it slid up the hill. Step by step, they pulled it all the way to the top.
Max and the Big Sleigh, page 7
7The neighbors were so glad to receive the freight. They took the crates off one by one. When the eighth crate was off, they said, "Thank you both!
Max and the Big Sleigh, page 8
8Now hop in." Max and Glen sat in the back of the sleigh. The neighbors gave it a push, and the two pals went zipping down the hill, laughing all the way.
Circle or highlight all the EI and EIGH words in the story above. How many did you find?

Comprehension Questions

After reading, ask these questions to check understanding:

  1. What did Max have to pull up the hill?
  2. Why couldn’t Max pull the sleigh by himself?
  3. How did Max and Glen get down the hill?
Keep practicing
Practice Vowel Teams — EI and EIGH with 4 more free worksheets

The words from this story, on printable practice sheets:

Word sortPhrasing cardsRapid naming chartWord search
Get the Vowel Teams — EI and EIGH worksheets →
Max and the Big Sleigh printed mini-book cover Download Mini-Book
Full-color picture book • Print, cut & staple • No signup required
Read-aloud version (one page per sheet, for projecting)
Want the whole level?
Level 4 pack · $14All 42 illustrated mini-books, print-ready Or all 6 levels for $34 (best value)
Every book stays free to print one at a time.

Reader Details

Phonics Skill Vowel Teams — EI and EIGH
Grade Level 1st-2nd
Phase Phase 4
Worksheets Vowel Teams — EI and EIGH Worksheets

Target Words

eight weigh weight sleigh neigh neighbor freight eighty eighteen eighth vein rein

Sight Words

the is a and to was it she he they said have with you are be
← Tim's Honey Jug Ron's Big Boat →

About This Decodable Reader

“Max and the Big Sleigh” is a free printable decodable reader designed for 1st-2nd students practicing vowel teams — ei and eigh 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, eight picture pages with one or two lines of story text each, and a back page listing the vowel teams — ei and eigh words, high-frequency words, and discussion questions. Print the five 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 221 free decodable readers organized by phonics skill and aligned with the Science of Reading. For additional practice with vowel teams — ei and eigh patterns, try our vowel teams — ei and eigh phonics worksheets which include word sorts, phrasing practice cards, and rapid naming charts.