Pip had a pet hen. Her hen was Red. Pip went to get Red for her pen. "Come on, Red," Pip said. But Red ran and ran. Red ran to the den. The den was wet with mud. Red got all wet!
Pip had to get Red. She saw a net. It was a small net. Pip got the net and ran. She held the net. Pip got Red in the net. She held Red. Pip led Red to the pen. Red must get fed. Pip put Red in the pen. Red had a bed of grass. "Sleep well, Red," Pip said.
"Red the Hen" is a free printable decodable reader designed for kindergarten students practicing short e 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 2-page PDF includes the reading passage on page one and a coloring page illustration on page two. Print both pages, staple together, and your child has an instant mini-book. The coloring activity reinforces story comprehension and makes reading practice feel like a fun activity rather than homework.
This reader is part of our collection of 50 free decodable readers organized by phonics skill and aligned with the Science of Reading. For additional practice with short e patterns, try our short e phonics worksheets which include word sorts, phrasing practice cards, and rapid naming charts.