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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Level B2AdventureThe Meadow-Brook Girls Afloat; Or, the Stormy Cruise of the Red RoverA group of young women set sail on the aging houseboat Red Rover for a summer vacation, despite warnings about its condition and a suspicious caretaker’s reluctance.
Level B2AdventureThe Meadow-Brook Girls Across Country; Or, The Young Pathfinders on a Summer HikeA group of adventurous girls face unexpected challenges when they realize they’ve lost their way on a summer hike, forcing them to navigate unfamiliar terrain and rely on each othe…![Cover of The Matsuyama Mirror by T. H. Mrs. [Translator] James](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da83mefut6jc73bjttd0.webp)
Level B2Children'sThe Matsuyama MirrorIn a quiet village, a young girl treasures a mysterious mirror left by her dying mother, believing it reflects her mother's loving presence and guidance.
Level B2AdventureThe Mate of the "Lily"; Or, Notes from Harry Musgrave's Log BookAmidst the vast seas, Jack Radburn, a brave and loyal mate, faces a perilous new voyage aboard the well-built brig "Lily.
Level B2AdventureThe Masters of the Peaks: A Story of the Great North WoodsIn the autumn wilderness of the Great North Woods, young Robert Lennox and his companions face the looming dangers of war and survival.
Level B2FantasyThe Master Key: An Electrical Fairy Tale Founded Upon the Mysteries of ElectricityA young inventor’s attic workshop buzzes with electric wonders, from ringing bells to moving trains, as he explores the mysterious powers of electricity.
Level B2FantasyThe Marvelous Land of OzA spirited boy named Tip, raised by a mysterious sorceress, crafts a pumpkin-headed figure to frighten his guardian—but in the magical Land of Oz, such mischief can lead to extraor…
Level B2AdventureThe Mark of the KnifeA newcomer dubbed "Teeny-bits" arrives at Ridgley School, where the mix of camaraderie and challenge promises an adventure filled with mystery, rivalry, and the struggle to find hi…
Level B2Children'sThe Manor SchoolIn a grand house with vast attics, thirteen-year-old Christian escapes a dull, unnoticed life by creating vivid adventures for her dolls and herself, blurring the lines between rea…
Level B2Children'sThe Man with the Pan-Pipes, and Other StoriesA delicate, bookish child finds her world transformed by her lively cousin’s haunting tales of gnomes, sprites, and the eerie Man with the Pan-Pipes, whose mysterious music lures c…
Level B2AdventureThe Mail CarrierIn a dusty Southern town, two brothers clash over a lucrative quail-trapping venture, while their estranged father plots a daring scheme to claim the hard-earned money.
Level B2FantasyThe Magician's Show Box, and Other StoriesA restless boy named Gaspar dreams of distant lands and grand adventures until a mysterious little man offers him a magical ivory box that reveals wonders beyond imagination—yet th…
Level B2FantasyThe Magic of OzDorothy and her friends embark on a magical quest across Oz to find the perfect birthday gift for Princess Ozma, encountering secret sorcery, enchanted creatures, and unexpected ad…
Level B2Children'sThe Magic Ring and Other Stories: From the Yellow and Crimson Fairy BooksA young man buys a mistreated dog and cat with his last money, only to be cast out by his mother and sent to seek work.
Level B2FantasyThe Magic NutsA weary young girl arrives at a mysterious, rainy town after a long train journey, uncertain if her new home will be dreary or delightful.
Level B2FantasyThe Magic Fishbone: A Holiday Romance from the Pen of Miss Alice Rainbird, Aged 7A king receives a magical fishbone from a mysterious fairy, promising a single wish to his eldest daughter, Princess Alicia.
Level B2FantasyThe Magic CityIn a quiet town, young Philip’s perfect world begins to shift when a mysterious visitor arrives, and whispers of change unsettle his close bond with his sister Helen.
Level B2AdventureThe Madman and the PirateIn the tranquil Pacific, a rugged schooner anchors near an island where a determined missionary braves hostility to build a church and transform a fierce tribe.
Level B2Children'sThe Madcap of the SchoolAt a newly relocated Tudor school buzzing with excitement, Raymonde Armitage embraces her role as the lovable troublemaker, stirring up mischief and keeping spirits high despite th…
Level B2AdventureThe Lure of the MississippiAs the Civil War erupts, a battery of soldiers hastens down the Mississippi, leaving a tense Sioux frontier behind.
Level B2Children'sThe Luckiest Girl in the SchoolAs war tightens its grip, the Woodward family faces the harsh reality of shrinking income and tough choices.
Level B2Children'sThe Louisa Alcott Reader: a Supplementary Reader for the Fourth Year of SchoolA young girl, tired of the usual Christmas celebrations, yearns for something new and meaningful.
Level B2RomanceThe Lost TrailA determined young frontiersman follows a frantic horse’s wild trail through the Kentucky wilderness, sensing danger from lurking Native American foes.
Level B2FantasyThe Lost Princess of OzWhen Princess Ozma mysteriously vanishes from her palace, her closest friends Dorothy, Betsy, and Trot set out on a magical journey through Oz to uncover the truth behind the sudde…
Level B2AdventureThe Lost PrinceA boy with a mysterious past and a noble father finds himself uprooted from Russia to live in London's bleakest neighborhood, where danger and secrecy shadow every move.
Level B2MysteryThe Lost Mine of the Amazon: A Hal Keen Mystery StoryAs Hal Keen embarks on his first journey through the Amazon, a mysterious encounter with a suspicious passenger hints at hidden dangers and secrets aboard the scow.
Level B2AdventureThe Lost Middy: Being the Secret of the Smugglers' GapA determined young lad battles a stubborn money-box and his fiery temper while navigating the challenges of growing up under the watchful eye of a gruff uncle, setting the stage fo…
Level B2AdventureThe Lost HeirIn the tense aftermath of a tiger attack in the Indian jungle, a mysterious English civilian named Mr.
Level B2AdventureThe Lost Gold of the Montezumas: A Story of the AlamoIn a shadowy cave beneath the gods of the Montezumas, a mysterious figure named Tetzcatl plots to stir up fierce Native tribes and lure Americans into a deadly trap amid the turbul…
Level B2Children'sThe Lost Giant, and Other American Indian Tales RetoldIn a time when animals roamed free and spirits whispered through the winds, a lonely boy named Wasewahto finds an unexpected protector in a towering giant.
Level B2AdventureThe Lost Explorers: A Story of the Trackless DesertTwo young men, weary of mundane city life, resolve to escape to the wild Australian goldfields where danger and mystery await.
Level B2Children'sThe Lost DryadA lost dryad, separated from her shattered oak tree, wanders into a village where she faces fear and misunderstanding.
Level B2AdventureThe Loss of the Royal GeorgeA young boy is thrust into life aboard the mighty Royal George during the tumultuous Seven Years’ War, facing the chaos of naval battles and the harsh realities of the sea as Engla…
Level B2AdventureThe Lords of the Wild: A Story of the Old New York BorderAmid the vibrant wilderness of the Old New York border, a young man named Robert Lennox seeks refuge and strength while navigating the dangers of the frontier.
Level B2HistoricalThe Log School-House on the ColumbiaAmid the towering peaks and vast wilderness of the Oregon Territory, a young German girl with dreams of poetry and music navigates the rugged life of pioneer settlers, caught betwe…
Level B2HistoricalThe Littlest RebelIn the shadow of the Civil War, a spirited seven-year-old girl named Virgie brings innocence and imagination to a world scarred by conflict, weaving childhood play with the harsh r…
Level B2AdventureThe Little Washingtons' TravelsJoin the lively Washington family and their cousins as they embark on a bustling train journey to New York City, filled with childhood mischief, historical curiosity, and the excit…
Level B2HistoricalThe Little Washington's RelativesWhen city cousins arrive, George and Martha eagerly plan adventures to share their hometown’s history, including battles, homesteads, and playful reenactments, promising a lively a…
Level B2Children'sThe Little Spanish DancerIn sunlit Seville, young Pilar dances with magical castanets, carrying a legacy of dancers and a heavy burden—the need to save her ailing grandfather.
Level B2AdventureThe Little Skipper: A Son of a SailorYoung Bob, known as the Skipper, and his sister Dot embark on a spring adventure by their lakeside home, navigating the challenges of launching Bob’s intricate model ship, the "Fla…
Level B2Children'sThe Little School-MothersAt Abbeyfield School, the third form girls are entrusted with welcoming Robina Starling, a shy newcomer sent from home due to her mother's illness.
Level B2Children'sThe Little Princess of Tower HillMaggie Ascot, the pampered "Little Princess of Tower Hill," lives a life of luxury and admiration, but as education and discipline enter her world, her spirited nature begins to su…
Level B2FantasyThe Little Princess in the WoodA lively princess wakes to a magical summer day filled with playful Dew Children, woodland creatures, and enchanting lessons under the trees.
Level B2HistoricalThe Little Old PortraitAmid the turmoil of the French Revolution, a humble farmhouse in Touraine becomes a beacon of hope and courage, where children prepare to celebrate their mother’s birthday amidst m…
Level B2Children'sThe Little Lame Prince: Rewritten for Young Readers by Margaret WatersBorn into royalty but struck by a mysterious accident at his christening, the little prince faces challenges with the help of an unexpected godmother whose love and guidance may sh…
Level B2Children'sThe Little Lame PrinceBorn a beautiful prince with twenty-four godparents, a royal heir’s life begins with joyous celebrations—until a hidden accident changes everything, challenging his future in the k…
Level B2Children'sThe Little Grey HouseIn a quaint little grey house surrounded by wild prairie, determined siblings face the challenge of taming their overgrown lawn and supporting their inventive, dreamer father whose…
Level B2FantasyThe Little Green GoblinA rebellious boy, weary of school and chores, is visited at midnight by a quirky little green goblin who challenges his understanding of the world.