Children's
Read Children's Classics in English
3,688 children's books at CEFR A2 to C2 — learn English by reading the stories worth reading. Select any word for an instant translation, listen to the narration read the page aloud, and save the vocabulary you meet. Pick your level and start with a free sample.
What are the best children's classics to read in English as a learner?
The best children's classics for English learners are the well-known titles you can read in the original — start with Æsop's fables in words of one syllable, Æsop's Fables: A Version for Young Readers and Æsop's Fables, Embellished with One Hundred and Eleven Emblematical Devices.. Each one is labelled with a CEFR level, any word you do not know is one selection away from a translation, and the narration reads the page aloud while it highlights the words.
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- books
Level B2AdventureThe cruise of the Canoe ClubFour adventurous boys pool their savings and seek expert advice to buy canoes for an epic cruise, navigating challenges of cost, choice, and camaraderie as they set out to explore…
Level B2Children'sThe convict's childA young maid receives a mysterious letter summoning her to visit a sick friend in a grim workhouse, stirring memories of friendship, hardship, and redemption.
Level B2HistoricalThe clammer and the submarineBeneath an ancient pine overlooking a serene harbor, a contemplative gardener wrestles with the changing seasons and the encroaching shadows of war, blending the quiet rhythms of r…
Level B2FantasyThe chronicles of Fairy landStep into a magical forest where firelight transforms into enchanted castles, brave knights, and mischievous faeries.
Level B2AdventureThe children of Old Park's TavernAt Old Park's Tavern, the bustling preparations for a lively political convention bring Dolly, a curious city girl, into the heart of country life, where debates, feasts, and unexp…
Level B2Children'sThe child's curiosity book, embellished with cuts.Discover charming tales and lessons about kindness, honesty, and safety through stories of playful children, friendly robins, and festive treats, all designed to delight and teach…
Level B2Children'sThe chest of toolsTwo boys face the consequences of forbidden mischief when a locked tool chest is opened, leading to a painful injury and a tangled web of secrets and lies.
Level B2FantasyThe cats' Arabian nights, or, King GrimalkumIn a kingdom ruled by the ruthless King Grimalkum, cats with lighter fur face exile or worse, while the beloved Pussyanita’s life hangs in the balance.
Level B2Children'sThe brother's return, and other storiesA man returns home after twenty years, hoping to reconcile with his brother Long John, only to find the past and their lives changed beyond recognition.
Level B2Children'sThe braceletsIn a serene English school, two friends vie for a cherished bracelet prize symbolizing merit and friendship, revealing contrasts in ambition, character, and the challenges of growi…
Level B2Children'sThe boys of Columbia High on the gridironRival high school football teams clash as Columbia’s boys train hard, face fierce competition, and navigate friendships and rivalries on the road to claiming the coveted Silver Cup…
Level B2Children'sThe boys of Columbia High on the diamondA spirited baseball team from Columbia High journeys by launch to face their rivals at Bellport, with a pennant and town pride on the line.
Level B2Children'sThe boys of Columbia High in track athleticsAs graduation nears, Columbia High's top athletes prepare for a thrilling track and field competition against fierce rivals from neighboring towns.
Level B2Children'sThe boy who never lost a chanceIn a time when railroads reshape the English countryside, a resourceful boy seizes every opportunity, from delivering meals to aiding workers, proving that courage and kindness ope…
Level B2Children'sThe boy who brought ChristmasIn the heart of the North Carolina mountains, a spirited boy named Grover Cleveland embarks on a snowy adventure with his dog to track down Old Sandy Claus and ensure every mountai…
Level B2AdventureThe boy nihilistA young American heir embarks on a global journey, unknowingly stepping into a secret world of revolution and intrigue.
Level B2AdventureThe book of friendly giantsA lonely herdboy named Ivan hears mysterious cries in the forest and ventures into the darkness, where he encounters the gentle giants who defy fearsome legends with their kind hea…
Level B2Children'sThe bonfireIn a village where whispers and jeers shadow him, a lonely old man faces the mischief and misunderstanding of local children, all while hiding a painful secret from his past.
Level B2AdventureThe blind lion of the CongoA world-traveling explorer returns home with tales of daring adventures across deserts and slave gangs, igniting a young scholar's dream of thrilling escapades in the Congo.
Level B2Children'sThe black ship: with other allegories and parablesTwo inseparable siblings, Hope and May, live by the sea on a mysterious island ringed by towering mountains.
Level B2Children'sThe beautiful garment, and other storiesA determined twelve-year-old girl devotes herself to charity, schoolwork, and self-improvement, navigating family expectations and village life with a strong will and a heart for h…
Level B2Children'sThe battle of lifeIn a humble village, John Carey dreams of starting a business with a lively partner, but his mother warns him that true success requires more than money—it demands a blessing roote…
Level B2Children'sThe baseball boys of LakeportA spirited group of boys in Lakeport forms a baseball team, dreaming of rivalries, grandstands, and uniforms as they prepare for thrilling contests on the diamond.
Level B2Children'sThe barbarous babesFour imaginative siblings invent playful tortures and daring adventures, balancing childhood mischief with tender moments in a quiet English countryside.
Level B2Children'sThe alley cat's kittenA scruffy alley cat struggles to care for her kittens through biting cold and hunger, finding unexpected kindness in a family’s backyard just before Christmas.
Level B2Children'sThe adopted sonA young girl eagerly awaits the arrival of her new brother, adopted from a troubled past, as her community grapples with the surprising choice of a man who once caused ruin.
Level B2FantasyThe Zankiwank and The Bletherwitch: An Original Fantastic Fairy ExtravaganzaTwo children awaken at an empty Charing Cross Station to find themselves invited on a magical midnight train to Fable Land, where curious creatures like the kaleidoscopic Zankiwank…
Level B2Children'sThe Youngest Sister: A Tale of ManitobaWhen a man’s boat is trapped on deadly rocks and no rescue seems possible, the youngest sister must summon unexpected courage to brave the stormy sea and save a life in peril.
Level B2Children'sThe Youngest Girl in the SchoolIn a lively London schoolroom, mischievous siblings scramble to prepare for a visit from their formidable Auntie Anna, whose arrival promises change and challenges for the boistero…
Level B2Children'sThe Youngest Girl in the Fifth: A School StoryA talented but unprepared girl is suddenly promoted to the challenging Fifth Form, where she must master tougher subjects with the help of dedicated teachers.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Woodsman; Or, Life in the Forests of CanadaA young boy in a growing Canadian village dreams of following his father's footsteps into the forest.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Wild-FowlersFour adventurous friends spend a crisp October by the Chesapeake Bay, eager to hunt the famed canvas-back ducks while navigating the challenges posed by poachers wielding massive d…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Voyageurs: Boy Hunters in the NorthEmbark on a thrilling journey through the vast, untamed fur countries of North America, where wild landscapes, scarce settlements, and elusive creatures challenge two young adventu…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Vigilantes: A Story of California Life in the FiftiesWhen a quick-thinking young rigger warns a train of a burning bridge, he earns a free ride and a chance to start fresh in Boston, navigating the bustling world of 1850s labor and o…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Treasure Hunter; Or, Fred Stanley's Trip to AlaskaA determined young boy leaves school to help his injured father and struggling family by seeking work at a promising new mining settlement in Alaska.
Level B2AdventureThe Young TrawlerAmid the rugged life of Yarmouth fishermen, a spirited boy boldly embraces the sea and its harsh demands, while his family confronts the trials that shape men and boys alike.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Trailers: A Story of Early KentuckyA strong-willed fifteen-year-old leads his family and neighbors into the wild, untamed forests of early Kentucky, where adventure, danger, and the secrets of the wilderness await u…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Trail Hunters: Or, the Wild Riders of the Plains. The Veritable Adventures of Hal Hyde and Ned Brown, on Their Journey Across the Great Plains of the South-WestTwo young adventurers, Hal and Ned, embark on a perilous journey across the Great Plains, facing wild mustangs, Comanche attacks, and treacherous landscapes, while encountering Nat…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Supercargo: A Story of the Merchant MarineAmidst the cold Brooklyn docks, a determined young supercargo faces the harsh world of the merchant marine, navigating danger from rough seas and tough encounters onshore.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Ship-Builders of Elm IslandA young boy wrestles with the question of his future, finding unexpected purpose and strength as he learns the demanding trade of ship-building under the guidance of a trusted blac…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Sharpshooter at AntietamTwo young Union sharpshooters navigate camp life and foraging during the tense days leading to the pivotal Battle of Antietam, encountering the diverse and complex world of the Civ…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Scout: The Story of a West Point LieutenantA determined young scholar stands up to a feared school bully, defending his disabled friend with courage and quick wit.
Level B2Children'sThe Young SalesmanA determined boy crosses the Atlantic alone after his father's death, armed only with a small sum and the hope of finding distant relatives in New York.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Ranchers; Or, Fighting the SiouxA young hunter returns to his South Dakota ranch amid growing unrest among the Sioux, facing the looming threat of attack as tensions rise in the turbulent frontier.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Railroaders: Tales of Adventure and IngenuityA young boy stumbles upon a dangerous plot by disgruntled railroad workers to sabotage a train and must use his wits and courage to prevent disaster.
Level B2Children'sThe Young PitcherA shy freshman struggles to find his place amid the harsh traditions and social tests of university life, battling loneliness and self-doubt while yearning for acceptance and frien…
Level B2Children'sThe Young O'Briens: Being an Account of Their Sojourn in LondonA family's journey through a stormy London night unfolds with tender humor and quiet tension as they face an uncertain year apart.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Musician; Or, Fighting His WayLeft penniless after his father's death, young Philip Gray faces the harsh prospect of the poorhouse but vows to fight his way up through hard work and his talent for music.