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 B2Children'sThe Factory BoyA hungry, barefoot boy struggles through a harsh winter to earn a living in a stocking factory, but a chance discovery and a kind stranger may bring hope and help to his struggling…
Level B2Children'sThe Extraordinary Adventures of Poor Little Bewildered Henry, Who was shut up in an Old Abbey for Three Weeks: A Story Founded on FactLost and alone, little Henry wanders into a mysterious old abbey, where his loyal dog Fidelle brings food and woodland creatures keep him company.
Level B2FantasyThe Extra DayThree children navigate a world shaped by their strict yet loving family and mysterious household staff, where the ordinary blurs with hints of wonder and hidden authority.
Level B2HistoricalThe Errand Boy; Or, How Phil Brent Won SuccessCaught in a bitter family rivalry, Phil Brent faces harsh challenges from his stepbrother and stepmother while striving to carve out his own path in a snowy town.
Level B2PoetryThe Entertaining History of Jobson & NellIn a lively village near the Bell, cobbler Jobson and his wife Nell navigate the humorous trials of daily life, from missed church shoes to stolen roast beef, blending mischief and…
Level B2Children'sThe End of a CoilA delicate, thoughtful eleven-year-old girl named Dolly arrives in a strange new world, where kindness and curiosity meet as she begins to navigate her unfamiliar surroundings and…
Level B2FantasyThe Enchanted Island of Yew: Whereon Prince Marvel Encountered the High Ki of Twi and Other Surprising PeopleIn a land where fairies once walked openly and magic shapes the lives of kings and commoners alike, the enchanted Isle of Yew holds secrets, sorcery, and fierce battles.
Level B2FantasyThe Enchanted IslandIn a sunlit kingdom surrounded by mysterious islands, Prince Daimur encounters a dying old man who reveals himself as a fairy protector threatened by a dark enemy from the haunted…![Cover of The Enchanted Castle: A Book of Fairy Tales from Flowerland by Hartwell [Editor] James](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dabkdh89638s73a2pdgg.webp)
Level B2Children'sThe Enchanted Castle: A Book of Fairy Tales from FlowerlandA kind-hearted girl follows a magical primrose to the gates of an enchanted castle, where a fairy’s mysterious promise awaits.
Level B2FantasyThe Enchanted CastleThree siblings reunite for the holidays, eager to escape strict school rules and create their own adventures in the Hampshire countryside, where imaginative games and mysterious di…
Level B2AdventureThe Eagle of the Empire: A Story of WaterlooAmid the looming shadows of Napoleon's final campaign, a stirring tale unfolds of love, courage, and the brutal realities of war.
Level B2PoetryThe Ducks and Frogs, a Tale of the Bogs.In a sunlit brook, two curious Ducks encounter a solemn assembly of Frogs petitioning for mercy from humans who threaten their peaceful bog home.
Level B2HistoricalThe Drummer BoyA young boy wrestles with his family's fears and his own courage as he resolves to join the Civil War as a drummer boy, determined to serve his country despite the dangers and doub…
Level B2AdventureThe Dreadnought Boys' World CruiseTwo young sailors explore San Francisco’s Golden Gate before leaping into a thrilling rescue of a runaway horse and its terrified rider, setting the stage for daring adventures on…
Level B2AdventureThe Dreadnought Boys on a SubmarineA determined inventor refuses to sell his groundbreaking submarine to a foreign power, risking everything to ensure it serves only his country.
Level B2AdventureThe Dreadnought Boys on Battle PracticeTwo cousins from a quiet mountain village dream of leaving farm life behind to join the navy, inspired by a vivid poster of a battleship and the promise of adventure.
Level B2AdventureThe Dreadnought Boys on Aero ServiceTwo young sailors volunteer for the navy's daring new Aero Service, eager to explore the skies after mastering the seas.
Level B2AdventureThe Dreadnought Boys in Home WatersTwo young naval officers aboard a crowded train face tension and suspicion when a lost wallet sparks accusations, revealing challenges of authority and camaraderie as they prepare…
Level B2AdventureThe Dreadnought Boys Aboard a DestroyerTwo young sailors, Ned and Herc, freshly celebrated for their bravery, find themselves drawn into a mysterious encounter with a foreign agent near the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Level B2MysteryThe Dragon's SecretLeslie and her aunt seek solace in a remote ocean bungalow, finding unexpected peace—but the locked neighboring cottage, Curlew’s Nest, hints at secrets lurking beyond the tranquil…
Level B2AdventureThe Donovan chanceLarry Donovan works hard in the railroad yards but dreams of more than a lifetime spent wiping engines and climbing the ranks.
Level B2Children'sThe Dogs' Dinner PartyIn a grand dinner party hosted by the elegant Mr.
Level B2AdventureThe Dogs of BoytownIn the idyllic town of Boytown, two adventurous boys and their loyal dogs explore vibrant autumn woods, secret caves, and the simple wonders of nature, embarking on heartwarming es…
Level B2PoetryThe Diving Bell; Or, Pearls to be Sought forDive beneath the surface with tales and fables that invite you to think deeply and discover hidden wisdom, much like exploring the depths with a diving bell.
Level B2PoetryThe Diverting History of John Gilpin: Showing How He Went Farther Than He Intended, and Came Safe Home AgainA frugal London linendraper sets off on a holiday ride with his family, but his horse has other plans, galloping wildly and sending John on an unexpected, riotous adventure beyond…
Level B2RomanceThe Disputed V.C.: A Tale of the Indian MutinyAmidst the looming chaos of the Indian Mutiny in 1857, young ensign Ted Russell grapples with his brother Jim’s unexpected infatuation with a spirited young woman, challenging thei…
Level B2AdventureThe Dingo Boys: The Squatters of Wallaby RangeThree adventurous boys arrive at the rough frontier town of Port Haven, eager to stake their claim and explore the wild Australian inland.
Level B2AdventureThe Deep Sea Hunters: Adventures on a WhalerTwo adventurous boys discover that the old, abandoned whaling ship Hector is being refitted for a cruise, sparking their imaginations and setting them on a thrilling journey into t…
Level B2PoetryThe Deaf Shoemaker: To Which Are Added Other Stories for the YoungIn a world where every soul embarks on a tempestuous voyage towards eternity, a noble hero’s fearless rescue amid a fiery shipwreck offers hope—and a life-preserver named Christ.
Level B2Children'sThe Daughters of the Little Grey HouseThree young women navigate the delicate transition from girlhood to womanhood in a warmhearted family home, discovering the true meaning of maturity, friendship, and self-discovery…
Level B2HistoricalThe Daughter of the Chieftain : the Story of an Indian GirlIn the contested Wyoming Valley during the American Revolution, young Alice Ripley finds joy and innocence amid the harsh realities of frontier life and colonial conflict.
Level B2Children'sThe Daughter of a Soldier: A Colleen of South IrelandOn a sunlit summer day in rural Ireland, young Maureen, daughter of a fallen soldier, navigates life at Templemore Rectory amid family joys and the shadow of a new, unsettling step…
Level B2AdventureThe Dash for Khartoum: A Tale of the Nile ExpeditionAmid the turmoil of the Nile Expedition, two lads raised as brothers face a reckless choice fueled by youthful impulse and secrecy.
Level B2AdventureThe Dare Boys with General GreeneThree young patriots on a scouting mission through the South Carolina wilderness face danger from Cherokee warriors incited by the British.
Level B2AdventureThe Dare Boys of 1776On the historic day the Declaration of Independence is to be signed, two brave brothers face threats and tensions from loyalist youths in a city buzzing with revolutionary fervor.
Level B2AdventureThe Dare Boys in VirginiaIn the warm woods of Virginia, three young patriots—Dick, Tom Dare, and Ben Foster—join a regiment determined to track down the traitor Benedict Arnold and turn the tide of the Rev…
Level B2AdventureThe Dare Boys in VincennesTwo daring brothers navigate war-torn America on secret missions, racing through enemy lines and untamed wilderness to deliver vital messages.
Level B2Children'sThe Curly-Haired HenOn Mother Etienne’s sprawling farm, a devoted hen named Yollande surprises everyone by nurturing a brood of ducklings, sparking a charming tale of unlikely family and tender care a…
Level B2Children'sThe Curious Book of BirdsDiscover a whimsical world where birds shape the very earth, weaving ancient fancies and truths about their role in nature and human imagination.
Level B2FantasyThe Cuckoo ClockIn an ancient house where time seems frozen, young Griselda arrives to awaken long-hidden secrets and magical mysteries whispered by the rooks and shadows.
Level B2AdventureThe Cruise of the Snowbird: A Story of Arctic AdventureAmid the bleak Highland winter, young laird Allan McGregor contemplates the faded glory of his ancestral castle and the hardships that have stripped his family of wealth and power.
Level B2AdventureThe Cruise of the Sally DA boy trapped under his stepfather's control finds hope in Uncle Ben's offer to escape the harsh life aboard the dilapidated schooner Sally D.
Level B2AdventureThe Cruise of the DolphinA Rivermouth boy’s lifelong dream comes true when he joins friends in buying a sailboat, the Dolphin, embarking on daring river adventures and a thrilling excursion to Sandpeep Isl…
Level B2AdventureThe Cruise of the "Lively Bee"; Or, A Boy's Adventures in the War of 1812As the War of 1812 erupts, a young boy joins the crew of the "Lively Bee," setting sail from New York Harbor amid patriotic fervor and the looming threat of British naval dominance…
Level B2Children'sThe Crofton BoysIn a bustling London home beside the Thames, the lively Proctor children navigate family life, school lessons, and dreams of adventure, as spirited siblings clash over future paths…
Level B2Children'sThe Crimson SweaterA determined new boy arrives at Ferry Hill School wearing a striking crimson sweater, sparking rivalry and curiosity as he faces challenges on the football field and from the schoo…
Level B2MysteryThe Crimson PatchSeventeen-year-old Patricia Meade moves into a stiff hotel suite for three months, grappling with her mother’s nervous breakdown and her father’s secret mission tied to a vital gov…
Level B2Children'sThe Crimson BannerAt Belmont College, a mysterious letter demands the surrender of cherished old cannons, sparking a spirited challenge that unites students around the thrilling world of college bas…