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.
- 3,688
- books
Level B2FantasyThe Strange Little Girl: A Story for ChildrenIn a palace where joy reigns and sorrow is unknown, Princess Eline senses a hidden world beyond the garden’s edge—a place of mystery, longing, and unspoken truths calling her to le…
Level B2MysteryThe Strange LikenessA young couple cherishes their mysterious baby, promising to keep a secret that could change everything.
Level B2MysteryThe Strange Cabin on Catamount IslandA group of adventurous boys accept a daring challenge to camp for a full week on the eerie Catamount Island, facing fears sparked by ghostly noises and testing their nerve with new…
Level B2AdventureThe Strange Adventures of Eric BlackburnA maiden voyage turns nightmarish when a blazing meteorite crashes through the Saturn, a vast passenger steamer bound for Melbourne.
Level B2AdventureThe Stowaway GirlA young woman faces a desperate proposal from her coarse, broke uncle to marry a wealthy but unpleasant man for financial rescue.
Level B2AdventureThe Story of the White-Rock CoveA young boy’s sunny morning schoolwork leads to a thrilling adventure along a winding path to White-Rock Cove, where friendship, nature, and discovery await in a charming coastal s…
Level B2PoetryThe Story of the Two BullsA peaceful deacon's life is upended when he buys a rival bull, sparking a fierce and chaotic battle that threatens his home and sanity.
Level B2AdventureThe Story of the Treasure Seekers: Being the Adventures of the Bastable Children in Search of a FortuneSix resourceful siblings face fallen fortunes and a silent house, deciding to seek treasure to restore their family’s happiness and hope, embarking on imaginative adventures fueled…
Level B2AdventureThe Story of the OdysseyA cunning Greek hero battles gods and monsters on a decade-long journey home from the Trojan War, facing storms, giants, enchantments, and treacherous suitors in his own palace.
Level B2Children'sThe Story of the Big Front DoorA quiet neighborhood playground turns mysterious when new neighbors move into the long-abandoned Brown house, disrupting the imaginative games of a close-knit group of children who…
Level B2FantasyThe Story of the AmuletFour children discover a magical sand-fairy who grants wishes but with unexpected twists, leading them on new adventures during a difficult summer apart from their family.
Level B2Children'sThe Story of a RobinFive young robins face the challenge of leaving their cozy nest to find food on their own, while their parents prepare to let them go.
Level B2PoetryThe Story of a Pumpkin PieDelight in the charming journey of a pumpkin pie’s creation through playful verses and whimsical illustrations that capture the spirit of childhood fun, ingenuity, and wholesome ad…
Level B2Children'sThe Story of a NeedleA curious needle recounts its transformation from raw iron ore to a polished tool, revealing the challenges and lessons of growth through fiery trials and patient craftsmanship.
Level B2Children'sThe Story of a Donkey: abridged from the French of Madame la comtesse de SégurA hardworking donkey named Neddy endures cruelty and heavy burdens from his harsh mistress, but his cleverness and spirited antics reveal the wit and heart behind the braying.
Level B2AdventureThe Story of a Bold Tin SoldierWhen the store closes, toys come to life, led by the brave Bold Tin Soldier who commands his men in a thrilling nighttime parade.
Level B2Children'sThe Story of a Bad BoyA mischievous boy recalls his spirited childhood in a New England town, navigating friendships, school rivalries, and his identity caught between Northern roots and Southern upbrin…
Level B2Children'sThe Story of Zephyr: A Christmas StoryA young boy’s heartfelt wish for an English setter sparks a tender story of childhood, nature, and the gentle bonds between a boy and the animals he loves.
Level B2AdventureThe Story of ViteauTwo brothers in medieval Burgundy face a pivotal moment as one prepares to leave home to train as a knight, while the other embarks on an education that blends chivalry with schola…
Level B2HistoricalThe Story of TroyStep into the epic saga of brave warriors and divine beings as gods intervene in the legendary siege of Troy, weaving a timeless tale of heroism, betrayal, and fate that shaped anc…
Level B2AdventureThe Story of Red Feather: A Tale of the American FrontierTwo siblings journey through the vast American frontier, navigating trails and streams on horseback, as they return home from a visit.
Level B2Children'sThe Story of PatsyIn a lively Free Kindergarten, spirited children navigate friendships, quarrels, and lessons about honesty and kindness.
Level B2Children'sThe Story of Noah's ArkIn a world warned of a great flood, a wise man builds a massive ark to save his family and pairs of animals, facing skepticism, chaos, and challenges as the storm approaches and su…
Level B2AdventureThe Story of Nelson: also "The Grateful Indian", "The Boatswain's Son"A young boy’s dream of the sea leads him to Greenwich Hospital, where stories from Nelson’s old shipmates reveal the bravery and spirit behind England’s greatest naval hero.
Level B2Children'sThe Story of JessieA struggling mother must send her beloved daughter Jessie away as harsh realities threaten their survival, leaving Jessie to find a new home and family.
Level B2AdventureThe Story of Jack and the GiantsIn a land terrorized by monstrous giants, quick-witted Jack uses cunning traps and fearless strength to confront these fearsome foes, uncovering treasure and facing deadly dangers…
Level B2PoetryThe Story of Hiawatha, Adapted from LongfellowAcross vast forests and prairies, tribes gather at the sacred Pipestone Quarry to forge peace under the Great Manito’s watchful gaze, while heroic Mudjekeewis embarks on a quest to…
Level B2Children'sThe Story of Antony GraceAfter losing both parents, young Antony Grace faces a mysterious visitor who claims possession of his home, stirring unease and curiosity as he navigates this new, uncertain chapte…
Level B2HistoricalThe Story of AlexanderStep into a medieval castle hall where tales of brave knights, fierce battles, and ancient magic come alive.
Level B2AdventureThe Story GirlTwo cousins journey to their ancestral home on Prince Edward Island, where they meet the enchanting Story Girl—a vibrant cousin whose tales and adventures promise to illuminate the…
Level B2MysteryThe Store BoyYoung Ben Barclay’s routine life takes a dangerous turn when a mysterious tramp recognizes his family name and demands money during a lonely ride to Pentonville—testing Ben’s coura…
Level B2AdventureThe Stolen Aeroplane; or, How Bud Wilson Made GoodWhen the expert pilot fails to arrive with a much-anticipated aeroplane for the county fair, young Bud Wilson seizes a daring chance to prove himself by stepping into the cockpit a…
Level B2Children'sThe Stokesley SecretIn a lively household where children bicker over bread and butter and a young governess strives to keep order, a curious question about how a pig can pay rent hints at a charming m…
Level B2AdventureThe Steel Horse: The Rambles of a BicycleThree adventurous boys set out on a daring bicycle journey across the state, encountering unexpected dangers like a massive rock blocking a railroad track and unraveling local myst…
Level B2AdventureThe Steam-Shovel ManA determined young man stumbles into the bustling world of steam-shovel operators shaping the Panama Canal, where hard work, high stakes, and rugged adventure beckon beyond the fam…
Level B2Children'sThe Staying GuestIn a perfectly prim and tidy old colonial house where even the sun struggles to shine, two prim sisters maintain an impeccably ordered life—until the arrival of unexpected guests s…
Level B2RomanceThe Star of IndiaIn the sweltering heat of 1857 India, an assistant surgeon embarks on a perilous journey to Delhi, navigating political intrigue and ancient rivalries.
Level B2HistoricalThe Star of Gettysburg: A Story of Southern High TideIn the midst of the Civil War, young Southern hero Harry Kenton and his comrades navigate the trials of battle and loyalty, weaving honor, courage, and romance into the fierce conf…
Level B2Children'sThe Squire's young folkIn a quaint English countryside, siblings Nellie and Rupert navigate the arrival of a mysterious new boy, Bob, the orphaned son of a fallen soldier, just as Christmas approaches—sp…
Level B2AdventureThe Sportsman's Club in the SaddleTwo adventurous brothers revel in the thrills of winter hunting, trapping, and rivalries on their sprawling southern estate, where wild game and fierce competition promise endless…
Level B2AdventureThe Sportsman's Club AfloatA daring young captain commands his yacht to chase smugglers who have captured his friend, braving the treacherous Gulf winds and a shadowy island to uncover their secrets and resc…
Level B2Children'sThe Spirit of the SchoolAt Beechcroft Academy, the arrival of Hansel Dana—a newcomer from Ohio with a football past—throws Bert Middleton’s carefully laid plans into chaos, challenging friendships and sch…
Level B2AdventureThe Speedwell Boys and Their Racing Auto; Or, A Run for the Golden CupFive daring boys spot a reckless driver struggling with his car on a dangerous road, just as a high-speed racing automobile barrels toward a sharp curve.
Level B2AdventureThe Speedwell Boys and Their Ice Racer; Or, Lost in the Great BlizzardAmid a fierce winter blizzard, two brothers racing through snowstorms rescue a mysterious, injured boy who speaks in an unknown tongue—igniting an adventurous winter tale of surviv…
Level B2Children'sThe Spectacle Man: A Story of the Missing BridgeA curious girl named Frances steps into a quirky optician’s shop, where a cheerful man with spectacles and a mysterious cat invites her into a world of peculiar objects and unexpec…
Level B2HistoricalThe Spartan TwinsIn ancient Greece, ten-year-old Spartan twins Dion and Daphne live on a farm near Athens, where their mother Lydia prepares for unexpected guests and daily life unfolds with the rh…
Level B2Children'sThe Spanish ChestIn the charming island setting of Jersey, young Estelle Pearce courageously opens a lodging house to support her sister and herself, inviting unexpected visitors and adventures tha…
Level B2AdventureThe South Sea WhalerSet sail on a thrilling South Sea whaling voyage with Captain Tredeagle and his children, Walter and Alice, as they navigate the dangers of the Pacific, encounter exotic wildlife,…