Wild Detectives fiction and nonfiction decodable books
Learn to read and read to learn with playful adventure-packed stories.
Adventure-packed stories kids love To read
Wild Detectives is a playful series of adventure-packed stories and linked informative nonfiction decodable books. Following an explicit and cumulative phonics sequence, these books are whacky detective adventures, which children will LOVE to read with words they CAN read.
Children will be engaged and supported by the Wild Detectives characters in every book!
Wild Detectives Competition:
Win a visit from the Author!
To celebrate the release of Wild Detectives Stages +4, 5 & 6, we’re giving schools the chance to win an exclusive school visit from Wild Detectives author Louise Park.
Hurry! Entries close 30 June 2026.
Read to me
Read to me books introduce the Wild Detectives backstory with one Fiction and one Nonfiction title to read first.
Stage 1
Stage 1 covers phonemes: Mm, Ss, Ff, Aa, Pp, Tt, Cc, Ii.
With Heart Words: the, The, my, My, and I.
Stage 2
Stage 2 covers phonemes: Bb, Hh, Nn, Oo, Dd, Gg, Ll, Vv.
With Heart Words: the, The, my, My and I.
Stage 3
Stage 3 covers phonemes: Yy, Rr, Ee, Qu, qu, Zz.
With Heart Words: he, she, we, to, do, was.
Stage 4
Stage 4 covers phonemes: Jj, Uu, Kk, Xx, Ww.
With Heart Words: her, of, are, too, for, see.
NEW! Stage +4
Stage +4 covers phonemes: ll, ss, ff.
With suffixes: -s, es.
NEW! Stage 5
Stage 5 covers adjacent consonants: ck
NEW! Stage 6
Stage 6 covers phonemes: sh, ch, tch, th, ng, ph, wh.
Wild Detectives Stages and Decodable Books
Each stage of Wild Detectives consists of a combination of three fiction and two nonfiction titles.
Tier 2 or ‘interesting’ vocabulary is used in the both fiction and nonfiction contexts, to build comprehension.
They include engaging stories and nonfiction texts that children can confidently read using their phonics knowledge - no guessing required!
These books follow an explicit and cumulative phonics scope and sequence.
A focus on Vocabulary Knowledge
Vocabulary knowledge is the most important factor contributing to comprehension in early reading (with the exception of decoding/accurate word reading!) So Wild Detectives decodable books include a range of vocabulary which is used multiple times across different contexts. Multiple meanings of words are woven in to broaden students' vocabulary understanding.
- Support is provided in the back of the book, with definitions and example check-for-understanding questions.
- Additional teaching support is available in the Small Group Reading Teacher Notes.
- Learn Words worksheets are included via a QR code in the back of every book
Explore the Wild Detectives Backstory with 'Read to me' Books
The series includes fiction and nonfiction ‘Read to me’ books that explore the backstory of the Wild Detectives. Children can bring these books home on the first day of school, before they have completed Stage 1 instruction.
The Read to me books are designed to be read by parents/carers to children, and feature a range of questions and support to develop language comprehension and vocabulary development.
Packed with extras to support students and teachers
Little Learners Love Literacy® decodable books are always packed with extras and the Wild Detectives are no different!
- Small Group Reading Teacher Notes take the preparation out of effective use of these decodable books in the classroom. Easy-to-read prompts and questions for every book.
- Free downloadable sheets via a QR code in the back of every book.
- 'How to enjoy this book' notes for adults reading with children, including comprehension questions and vocabulary support.
- Speed Words in the back of every book to warm-up and build fluency.
Small Group Reading Teacher Notes Stages 1-4
Small Group Reading Teacher Notes Stages +4-6
Free activity download
"Wild Detectives brings mystery, intrigue, exciting plots, epic adventures, and cool characters - all within a phonics-based instruction program."
Meet the Wild Detectives
Cam the alpaca is the fearless, fabulous leader!
Dog Bot the groodle is the ultimate gadget genius!
Pat the cat is the dependable and dapper detective!
Top Rat is the feisty pilot, rider…and builder!
From the Author: Where did the Wild Detectives Come from?
created by an Award Winning Australian Team
Multi-award-winning author and literacy expert Louise Park has over 35 years of experience in education and publishing. Best known for bestselling children’s series like Zac Power, Boy vs Beast, Harriet Clare, and Grace’s Secrets, her books - written under her own name and the pseudonyms H.I. Larry and Mac Park - have sold millions worldwide.
Acclaimed cartoonist and illustrator Jules Faber, famous for his creation of the ‘Weirdo’ artwork, has had a vibrant career spanning comic strip, newspaper work, and animation - including a role as an animator on a Disney television series. He has taught cartooning across Australia, exhibited in numerous art shows.