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 Khaki Boys over the Top; Or, Doing and Daring for Uncle SamFive comrades in the trenches brace for a daring dawn assault, their camaraderie tested amid the tense shadows of wartime.
Level B2AdventureThe Khaki Boys at the Front; or, Shoulder to Shoulder in the TrenchesFive young soldiers forge an unbreakable bond as they navigate training, friendship, and the harsh realities of World War I, preparing to face the front lines in war-torn France.
Level B2AdventureThe Khaki Boys at Camp Sterling; Or, Training for the Big Fight in FranceAt Camp Sterling, eager young recruits answer the call to serve Uncle Sam in the big fight overseas, driven by patriotism and the thrill of adventure.
Level B2AdventureThe Khaki Boys Fighting to Win; or, Smashing the German LinesAmid distant bombardments and tense moments in a bomb-proof dugout, a group of khaki-clad soldiers prepare for relentless battles against German forces, sharing camaraderie, braver…
Level B2Children'sThe Junior TrophyA boy arrives at a snowy mountain academy for the first time, facing new friendships and challenges amid wintry adventures.
Level B2Children'sThe Junior Classics, Volume 9: Stories of To-dayA young boy learns life lessons from Uncle Remus through charming stories filled with humor and wisdom, exploring themes of cleanliness, family, and growing up in a lively, heartfe…
Level B2AdventureThe Junior Classics, Volume 6: Old-Fashioned TalesAmid a vibrant winter scene near Amsterdam, townsfolk and visitors gather for a thrilling silver skate race on a flawless frozen plain, where diverse characters in colorful costume…
Level B2AdventureThe Junior Classics, Volume 5: Stories that never grow oldDive into timeless tales of adventure and courage, from shipwrecked survival and fantastical voyages to heroic quests and daring escapades, all woven into a rich collection that sp…
Level B2Children'sThe Junior Classics, Volume 3: Tales from Greece and RomeJourney into the ancient worlds of Greece and Rome, where legendary heroes like Theseus, Ulysses, and Aeneas face epic adventures, mythical creatures, and timeless struggles of war…
Level B2Children'sThe Junior Classics, Volume 2: Folk Tales and MythsDive into a world where gods and giants clash, and the very earth is crafted from a giant’s body.
Level B2AdventureThe Jungle BookIn the heart of the jungle, a wolf pack faces the threat of the fierce tiger Shere Khan, whose hunger for man disrupts the delicate balance of the wild.
Level B2Children'sThe Joyous Story of TotoA lively boy named Toto lives with his blind grandmother in a charming cottage by the woods, where everyday adventures and warm-hearted moments unfold amid gingerbread baking, knit…
Level B2Children'sThe Jolliest Term on Record: A Story of School LifeTwo schoolgirls sense a secret stirring at home as their father prepares for a sudden trip abroad, leading to unexpected plans that send them back to boarding school for a term of…
Level B2Children'sThe Jolliest School of AllA spirited girl dreads returning to school until an unexpected family move to Italy promises adventure, new challenges, and a chance to attend a boarding school abroad.
Level B2Children'sThe Jimmyjohns, and other storiesTwin brothers Jimmy and Johnny Plummer, known as the Jimmyjohns, embark on imaginative adventures from their quaint cottage, turning everyday moments into playful quests filled wit…
Level B2Children'sThe Jay Bird Who Went TameWhen a jay bird with a hurt wing is rescued by a boy, an unlikely friendship begins amid kitchen adventures and forest dangers, as clever animals team up to outwit a sly rat threat…
Level B2Children'sThe Jade Story Book; Stories from the OrientStep into a magical Oriental garden where a mysterious Nightingale’s enchanting song captivates all—except the emperor, who has yet to hear the bird that travelers praise as the ki…
Level B2AdventureThe Island of Gold: A Sailor's YarnA resilient boy named Ransey Tansey cares for his little sister and their loyal dog in a humble countryside cottage, where simple routines mask the hardships they've faced.
Level B2AdventureThe Island House: A Tale for the Young FolksWhen a sudden flood isolates a house and traps the children inside, resourceful young Alfie sets out on a daring rescue using nothing but a washing tub.
Level B2MysteryThe Island CampAs the Lennox cousins arrive for their holiday at the old family estate, the Vaughan children prepare to camp on the mysterious island in the garden’s river.
Level B2FantasyThe Iron Star — And What It Saw on Its Journey Through the Ages: From Myth to HistoryJourney through a primeval world where fire is a precious treasure and ancient fears roam the forest.
Level B2AdventureThe Iron Boys in the Steel Mills; or, Beginning Anew in the Cinder PitsIn the relentless heat of the steel mills, a young accident department worker races against time and obstructive Iron and Steel Police to reach a disaster site, revealing the harsh…
Level B2AdventureThe Iron Boys in the Mines; or, Starting at the Bottom of the ShaftA determined sixteen-year-old boy fights through obstacles and hostile reception to secure a job in the dangerous coal mines, proving strength and resolve beyond his years.
Level B2AdventureThe Iron Boys as Foremen; or, Heading the Diamond Drill ShiftTrapped in a runaway mining cage hurtling through the depths, three men cling to survival amid chaos and danger.
Level B2Children'sThe Inglises; Or, How the Way OpenedAmidst a fierce storm, the Inglis family awaits the return of the Reverend from his long journey to remote villages, where he ministers to those who might never hear the Gospel oth…
Level B2AdventureThe Inca EmeraldA mysterious professor arrives with a tantalizing claim about the legendary Inca emerald lost in a sacred lake, sparking a high-stakes quest filled with rare gems, ancient legends,…
Level B2Children'sThe Ice-Maiden: and Other Tales.In the majestic Swiss mountains, bold young Rudy lives a life of adventure and solitude, guided by the wisdom of his grandfather and the cunning of a clever cat who teaches him to…
Level B2AdventureThe Ice QueenThree young siblings, left to fend for themselves after their parents’ deaths, navigate hardship and hope in a small town.
Level B2HistoricalThe Hunter Cats of ConnorloaA lonely gentleman, weakened by illness, settles in sunny California after years of wandering the world in search of health.
Level B2MysteryThe Hunniwell boys and the platinum mysteryTwo adventurous brothers, skilled pilots and fishermen, are drawn into a secret mission by a government agent, promising a summer far from ordinary.
Level B2FantasyThe House of Arden: A Story for ChildrenTwo children, Edred and Elfrida Arden, live in a once-grand but now crumbling family estate by the sea, struggling with the hardships of lost fortune and unwelcome lodgers.
Level B2Children'sThe House in TownIn a warm household filled with lively siblings, young Norton and Matilda navigate changes and new responsibilities, discovering courage and family bonds as they face unexpected ne…
Level B2Children'sThe House That GrewTwo thoughtful siblings grapple with a family crisis when their father loses a great deal of money, threatening their comfortable life.
Level B2AdventureThe House Boat Boys; Or, Drifting Down to the Sunny SouthTwo boys on the banks of the Ohio River face uncertain futures until a letter from a seafaring uncle offers a thrilling escape aboard a tramp steamer bound for New Orleans and adve…
Level B2AdventureThe Hosts of the AirTrapped in the grim reality of World War I trenches, a young soldier wrestles with the brutal landscape and the memory of a distant love, while the thunder of artillery and the sha…
Level B2Children'sThe Hoosier School-boyA shy new boy arrives at the village school, navigating teasing classmates and unfamiliar playground games while quietly seeking his place among them.
Level B2AdventureThe Hollow Tree Snowed-In Book: Being a continuation of stories about the Hollow Tree and Deep Woods peopleIn the heart of the Big Deep Woods, the Hollow Tree People—Mr.![Cover of The History of Tom Thumb: To Which Are Added the Stories of the Cat and the Mouse and Fire! Fire! Burn Stick! by Henry [Editor] Altemus](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da4jmkqe2hvc73bn0jb0.webp)
Level B2Children'sThe History of Tom Thumb: To Which Are Added the Stories of the Cat and the Mouse and Fire! Fire! Burn Stick!In a world where magic and fairies grant impossible wishes, a tiny boy no bigger than a thumb embarks on mischievous adventures, outwitting giants, animals, and even danger itself.
Level B2Children'sThe History of Tom Thumb and Other Stories.In the days of King Arthur, a tiny boy no bigger than a thumb embarks on extraordinary adventures, from outwitting giants to enchanting the royal court.
Level B2Children'sThe History of Sandford and MertonTwo boys from very different worlds—Tommy Merton, spoiled and fragile from a life of luxury, and Harry Sandford, strong and kind from a humble farm—embark on a journey of growth, l…
Level B2AdventureThe History of Little Peter, the Ship BoyIn a quiet hamlet, young Peter faces hardship as he cares for his ailing mother and tends their humble home, while his father’s turbulent seafaring past casts a shadow over their f…
Level B2AdventureThe History of Little King Pippin: With an Account of the Melancholy Death of Four Naughty Boys, Who were Devoured by Wild Beasts. And the Wonderful Delivery of Master Harry Harmless, by a Little White Horse.A poor but virtuous boy, Peter Pippin dreams of learning beyond his humble life.
Level B2Children'sThe History of Little Jack, a FoundlingAn old, disabled soldier living alone on a remote moor discovers a helpless infant abandoned in the cold.
Level B2AdventureThe Hilltop Boys: A Story of School LifeTwo adventurous boys at Hilltop Academy race down a steep hill to meet arriving classmates, narrowly avoiding a mysterious newcomer standing in their path.
Level B2AdventureThe Hilltop Boys on the RiverA resourceful boy determined to join his friends on the river refuses handouts and sets out to build his own motorboat, turning scraps and a small engine into an adventure in ingen…
Level B2HistoricalThe Hill: A Romance of FriendshipA young boy faces the daunting challenge of entering the esteemed Harrow School, where friendship, tradition, and the trials of youth intertwine on the iconic Hill.
Level B2Children'sThe High School Pitcher; or, Dick & Co. on the Gridley DiamondAt Gridley High, a new principal stirs unease as Dick Prescott and his loyal friends navigate school challenges, sports rivalries, and social divides.
Level B2Children'sThe High School Left End; or, Dick & Co. Grilling on the Football GridironTensions rise at Gridley High as the football team faces mysterious unrest and wavering support from the Athletics Committee.