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 B2Children'sThe Song of Sixpence: Picture BookDelight in whimsical nursery rhymes, enchanting princess adventures, and a magical alphabet filled with treasured friends, brought to life through vivid, original illustrations tha…
Level B2Children'sThe Son of His MotherA childless couple, united by art and love, wrestles with a quiet longing that shadows their refined life, prompting a journey across Europe and beyond in search of solace and mean…
Level B2AdventureThe Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army: A Story of the Great RebellionAs Fort Sumter falls, young Thomas Somers feels the urgent call to defend his country, igniting a fierce patriotism that draws him from peaceful village life into the harsh realiti…
Level B2AdventureThe SlowcoachIn a charming old house by the Thames, the Avory children—each with their own passions and dreams—navigate family life filled with adventure, history, and youthful ambition.
Level B2MysteryThe Slipper Point MysteryAt Carter's Landing, a barefooted girl named Sally befriends a glamorous newcomer on a quiet early summer afternoon, setting the stage for a mystery that ripples beneath the river'…
Level B2PoetryThe Sleeping Beauty Picture BookA princess cursed to sleep for a hundred years awakens to a world transformed, where a brave prince must navigate enchanted thorns and a silent palace to break the spell and restor…
Level B2PoetryThe Slant BookA runaway go-cart careens down a steep hill, causing chaos and laughter as it collides with townsfolk, animals, and objects in a whirlwind adventure.
Level B2MysteryThe Sky Pilot's Great Chase; Or, Jack Ralston's Dead Stick LandingTwo daring sky detectives, disguised as millionaire sportsmen, pilot a state-of-the-art airship on a globe-spanning mission to outwit international criminals.
Level B2MysteryThe Sky Detectives; Or, How Jack Ralston Got His ManAmid a thrilling stunt-flying contest at Atlanta's busy airfield, ace pilot Jack Ralston and his loyal friend Gabe Perkiser prepare to take to the skies in pursuit of a daring skyb…
Level B2Children'sThe Skating Party and Other StoriesExperience the joys and perils of childhood through lively tales of skating parties, mischievous pranks, and adventurous games, where lessons of bravery, kindness, and caution come…
Level B2Children'sThe Sins of Silvertip the FoxIn a lively spring filled with curious visitors and wild creatures, Nibble Rabbit navigates the mysteries of the woods, befriending a troubled Red Cow and questioning what it means…
Level B2FantasyThe Singing Mouse StoriesIn a humble room, a mysterious Singing Mouse appears only after midnight, enchanting with songs that conjure vivid worlds of beauty, friendship, and adventure beyond the ordinary.
Level B2Children'sThe Silver Lining: A Guernsey StoryOn a serene summer afternoon in Guernsey, young Frank wrestles with his conscience as he sneaks away from duty to explore the sea, discovering both the joys of freedom and the pang…
Level B2AdventureThe Silver Canyon: A Tale of the Western PlainsA determined explorer rallies a rugged crew of half-breeds and settlers to brave untamed Western plains in search of hidden gold and silver, risking danger and distrust in uncharte…
Level B2AdventureThe Silly Jelly-Fish: Told in EnglishA Dragon King’s young bride falls gravely ill, and only a live Monkey’s liver can save her.
Level B2AdventureThe Shipwreck: A Story for the YoungTwo young friends in 1858 Hongkong, an Irish boy and a Chinese foundling, share adventures around the grand cathedral and bustling harbor, eagerly awaiting the arrival of a ship be…
Level B2Children'sThe Sheep and LambA young boy faces the heartbreak of losing his beloved pet lamb to help pay his injured father's rent, but unexpected kindness from a neighbor offers hope and comfort in a gentle t…
Level B2AdventureThe Shadow of the North: A Story of Old New York and a Lost CampaignIn the midst of the French and Indian War, a young Onondaga warrior sheds the ways of the white man to embrace his heritage as he navigates the perilous wilderness, where fierce ba…
Level B2HistoricalThe Shades of the Wilderness: A Story of Lee's Great StandAmid the harrowing retreat from Gettysburg, wounded soldiers and determined officers navigate mud and darkness toward the South, setting the stage for the fierce battles of the Wil…
Level B2MysteryThe Seven Sleuths' ClubAt a strict girls' seminary, seven friends form the Seven Sleuths’ Club to unravel mysterious happenings, sparked by Merry’s secret discovery on a blustery January day.
Level B2Children'sThe Settlers at HomeTwo hundred years ago, a vast swamp in Lincolnshire is transformed into fertile farmland by Dutch settlers, sparking conflict with locals who resist change and resent foreign tenan…
Level B2MysteryThe Secret of Steeple RocksNewcomers explore the rugged Maine coast, where towering Steeple Rocks guard a mysterious fishing village and the restless sea.
Level B2MysteryThe Secret of Casa Grande: Mexican Mystery Stories #1Two girls arrive at a mysterious old Mexican stone house where iron bars guard the windows and secrets linger in the shadows.
Level B2AdventureThe Secret Chart; or, Treasure Hunting in HaytiTwo adventurous boys prepare for a southern sea voyage aboard a sleek yacht, only to discover an old chest containing a mysterious newspaper hinting at a legendary pirate haven off…
Level B2AdventureThe Second Jungle BookIn a jungle parched by relentless drought, a young boy raised by wolves learns the ancient Law that governs survival and peace among wild creatures.
Level B2AdventureThe Seashore Book: Bob and Betty's Summer with Captain HawesTwo children spend a summer by the seashore with Captain Hawes, an old sailor full of sea tales and curiosities.
Level B2AdventureThe Scranton High Chums on the Cinder Path: Or, The Mystery of the Haunted QuarryA lively group of high school friends embarks on a nut-gathering adventure in the vibrant autumn woods around Scranton, balancing their love for the outdoors with preparations for…
Level B2AdventureThe Scouts of the ValleyA lone boy paddles stealthily through the shadowed wilderness, relying on his keen senses and unmatched skill to navigate unknown waters.
Level B2AdventureThe Scouts of Stonewall: The Story of the Great Valley CampaignAmid the rugged Virginia landscape, young Confederate officer Harry Kenton navigates the trials of war, courage, and loyalty during the gripping Great Valley Campaign, where friend…
Level B2Children'sThe Scotch TwinsIn the heathered Highlands, twelve-year-old Jean Campbell fiercely manages her household and twin brother Jock, balancing chores and sibling rivalry while caring for their shepherd…
Level B2MysteryThe School by the SeaAt a lively girls' school by the sea, the arrival of a mysterious new girl disrupts the usual chaos and camaraderie, sparking curiosity and whispers among the energetic students.
Level B2Children'sThe School QueensTwin sisters Cicely and Merry Cardew live a sheltered life of luxury at Meredith Manor, unaware of the hardships beyond their privileged world.
Level B2FantasyThe Scarecrow of OzTrot and the one-legged sailor Cap'n Bill embark on a perilous journey to the magical Land of Oz, where friendship and adventure await among enchanting creatures and wondrous place…
Level B2AdventureThe Sauciest Boy in the Service: A Story of Pluck and PerseveranceA spirited boy with a passion for the sea embarks on daring adventures, from mutinies and hurricanes to exotic islands and fierce battles, guided by courage and an unyielding spiri…
Level B2MysteryThe Sapphire SignetIn a quiet Charlton Street house, twins Bess and Jess befriend the mysterious new girl, Corinne Cameron, whose distant demeanor and love of books hint at secrets waiting to unfold…
Level B2FantasyThe Santa Claus BrowniesIn Santa Claus’s bustling workshop at the North Pole, a newly crafted Rocking-Horse Pony discovers its brown eyes just aren’t right—and will do anything to change them.
Level B2AdventureThe Safety First Club and the FloodAs a fierce winter storm looms over Plainville, Sam Parker and the Safety First Club face unexpected challenges and adventures that test their courage, friendship, and resourcefuln…
Level B2Children'sThe Safety First ClubOn a gloomy December day, restless sixteen-year-old Sam Parker wrestles with disappointment and the challenge of learning caution without losing his adventurous spirit.
Level B2AdventureThe Saddle Boys of the Rockies; Or, Lost on Thunder MountainTwo boys from different worlds—one a seasoned rancher’s son, the other a Kentucky horseman—face challenges and rivalries on the rugged plains, where horsemanship and courage define…
Level B2AdventureThe Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon; or, The Hermit of the CaveTwo adventurous boys, Frank and Bob, set out on horseback across the rugged Southwest to track down a savage wolf pack threatening their ranch.
Level B2AdventureThe Saddle Boys at Circle Ranch; Or, In at the Grand Round-UpTwo adventurous boys known as the Saddle Boys face mystery and danger on the sprawling Circle Ranch, starting with the puzzling loss of a treasured knife and leading to thrilling e…
Level B2Children'sThe S. W. F. ClubA determined young girl secretly writes to a distant uncle, hoping for a favor to help her ailing sister find a much-needed change.
Level B2MysteryThe S. P. MysteryJean Gordon gathers her friends for a secret club in the chilly attic, where a mysterious event demands their immediate attention.
Level B2AdventureThe Rushton Boys at Treasure Cove; Or, The Missing Chest of GoldFour adventurous boys sail off the coast of Maine, chasing summer thrills despite an approaching storm and lurking dangers like a massive shark.
Level B2AdventureThe Rushton Boys at Rally Hall; Or, Great Days in School and OutA spirited group of schoolboys turns a rough field into their own baseball diamond, where close plays, daring slides, and good-natured rivalry fuel their passion for the game and t…
Level B2AdventureThe Runaway: Or, The Adventures of Rodney RovertonTwo boys dream of escaping their dull apprenticeships and restrictive Sunday routines along a peaceful creek, yearning for adventure and freedom.
Level B2FantasyThe Runaway Equator, and the Strange Adventures of a Little Boy in Pursuit of ItWhen a curious boy’s geography lesson comes to life, he meets Nimbus, the whimsical Geography Fairy, who invites him on a magical quest to catch the runaway Equator.
Level B2AdventureThe Rulers of the Lakes: A Story of George and ChamplainAmid the shadowed forests of the French and Indian War, three allies—a white youth, a seasoned hunter, and a young Onondaga warrior—spy on a mysterious, deadly force reshaping the…