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 B2Children'sRobin Redbreast: A Story for GirlsIn a quaint lane near the town of Thetford stands Robin Redbreast, a charming red house with a mysterious past and a reclusive owner, Lady Myrtle Goodacre.
Level B2AdventureRobin Hood;: Being a Complete History of All the Notable and Merry Exploits Performed by Him and His Men on Many OccasionsIn a time of lawlessness and greed, a wronged nobleman leads a band of outlaws in Sherwood Forest, robbing the rich to aid the poor while outwitting priests and nobles alike.
Level B2AdventureRob Harlow's Adventures: A Story of the Grand ChacoCaught between relentless insect swarms and treacherous riverbanks, a young English lad and his rugged companion navigate the wild, sun-scorched expanse of South America’s Grand Ch…
Level B2Children'sRivers of IceA rugged sailor returns to London's gritty riverfront, seeking an elusive old woman with the help of a sharp-tongued street urchin who knows every twist of the shadowy lanes.
Level B2Children'sRiver Legends; Or, Father Thames and Father RhineTwo majestic river kings, Father Thames and Father Rhine, hold court on a tiny island, sharing tales and potent drinks amid the reeds.
Level B2AdventureRivals for the Team: A Story of School Life and FootballAt a prestigious boarding school, tensions rise as students vie for coveted spots on the football team while navigating the challenges of school life, friendship, and rivalry in a…
Level B2AdventureRival ocean diversA daring father-son duo races against rivals to recover a sunken fortune lost in the Pacific Ocean's two-mile depths, using cutting-edge diving technology.
Level B2Children'sRival Pitchers of OakdaleIn a small town where baseball fever runs high, a determined newcomer from Texas teams up with the star pitcher to prove himself on the Oakdale Academy team.
Level B2Children'sRising in the worldTwo college friends, Lawrence and Lloyd, set out on diverging paths shaped by ambition and principle—one driven by wealth and status, the other by usefulness and integrity—in a sto…
Level B2HistoricalRisen from the Ranks; Or, Harry Walton's SuccessA determined sixteen-year-old leaves his humble New Hampshire farm to master the printing trade, aiming to rise from apprentice to influential editor.
Level B2FantasyRinkitink in Oz: Wherein Is Recorded the Perilous Quest of Prince Inga of Pingaree and King Rinkitink in the Magical Isles That Lie Beyond the Borderland of OzPrince Inga of Pingaree embarks on a daring adventure beyond the Land of Oz, navigating magical isles and facing fierce foes to protect his peaceful kingdom rich with pearls and hi…
Level B2PoetryRide A Cock-Horse To Banbury Cross & A Farmer Went Trotting Upon His Grey Mare: R. Caldecott's Picture BooksDelight in a charming collection of illustrated nursery rhymes, where playful verses and vivid pictures bring timeless songs like "Ride A Cock-Horse To Banbury Cross" and "A Farmer…
Level B2Children'sRico and WiseliIn a quiet mountain village, a tall, mysterious man and his sorrowful son, Rico, share a deep bond through music and song.
Level B2AdventureRick Dale, A Story of the Northwest CoastA delicate, bookish boy from a vast Pacific Coast fortune embarks on an unexpected adventure that challenges his sheltered life and uncovers the rugged wilds and mysteries of the N…
Level B2AdventureRichard of Jamestown : a Story of the Virginia ColonyAt just ten years old, Richard Mutton embarks on a perilous journey to the untamed Virginia Colony, witnessing the struggles, dangers, and triumphs of early settlers alongside the…
Level B2AdventureRichard Dare's Venture; Or, Striking Out for HimselfA determined young country boy leaves his quiet village for bustling New York City, ready to work hard and carve out his own future despite the city's many challenges and temptatio…
Level B2Children'sRich and humbleSibling rivalry and lessons in character clash as Bertha seeks funds for a noble cause while her brother Richard struggles with his own desires and his father’s stern expectations.
Level B2PoetryRhymes for the nurseryDelight in gentle, soothing verses that capture the tender moments of childhood—from morning wake-ups to bedtime lullabies—inviting little ones to explore the world through simple…
Level B2Children'sRhoda's educationA young girl named Rhoda devotes herself to caring for her new baby brother and navigating a challenging home life marked by her mother's sharp mood.
Level B2AdventureRex Kingdon on Storm IslandA summer camping trip on a remote Maine island turns tense when Rex Kingdon and his friends discover impostors have stolen their exclusive permit, sparking unexpected rivalry and a…
Level B2Children'sReuben Roy's temptationsA hardworking boy guarding strawberry fields at night faces danger from thieves, testing his courage and resolve.
Level B2AdventureReube Dare's Shad Boat: A Tale of the Tide CountryTwo friends return to their coastal hometown, where one has built a sturdy shad fishing boat to support his struggling family.
Level B2PoetryRequired Poems for Reading and Memorizing: Third and Fourth Grades, Prescribed by State Courses of StudyDive into a rich collection of poems embraced by schoolchildren, where playful adventures, mysterious unseen friends, and the changing seasons come alive through captivating verses…
Level B2Children'sReginald Cruden: A Tale of City LifeOn a scorching summer day, young Reginald Cruden and his friends grapple with restless energy and lazy idleness in the garden, setting the stage for a lively tale of friendship and…
Level B2AdventureRedskin and Cow-Boy: A Tale of the Western PlainsIn the rugged gold rush camp of Cedar Gulch, three unlikely partners—tough cowboys and a limping, gentle-faced man known as Doctor—face harsh dangers and fierce rivalries while cha…
Level B2HistoricalRed, White, Blue Socks. Part Second: Being the Second Book of the SeriesYoung soldiers of the Dashahed Zouaves eagerly prepare for battle with spirited drills and playful camaraderie under the guidance of a seasoned sergeant, blending youthful bravado…
Level B2Children'sRed Rose and Tiger Lily; Or, In a Wider WorldTwo spirited sisters return home for the summer, stirring excitement and upheaval in their family’s quiet estate.
Level B2Children'sRed Hunters and the Animal PeopleIn the wild Northwest, a Red hunter lives in harmony with the animal spirits, following sacred traditions that honor the “Great Mystery.
Level B2Children'sRebecca of Sunnybrook FarmA spirited young girl embarks on a lively journey from her farm to live with relatives in Riverboro, navigating new surroundings and adventures with determination and charm.
Level B2Children'sRebecca MaryA young girl faces a daunting challenge as she approaches the final stitch of an enormous sheet, wrestling with fear and determination at the crucial moment when she must decide wh…
Level B2AdventureReal Gold: A Story of AdventureTwo boys set out from a sun-drenched Pacific shore toward towering, snow-capped mountains rumored to hide untold riches.
Level B2Children'sReal FolksTwo sisters, Frank and Laura, navigate childhood from their shaded city rooftop, imagining forests and seas while facing their father’s long illness and the quiet absence of their…
Level B2Children'sReady, aye ready!A hardworking family faces the challenge of leaving their beloved countryside home for a cramped, bustling town cottage, where they must adapt and find hope amidst unfamiliar surro…
Level B2AdventureRataplan, a Rogue Elephant; and Other StoriesIn the tangled forests of Ceylon, a solitary elephant named Rataplan roams with a mischievous spirit and a fierce temper, shunned by his herd and feared by all.
Level B2Children'sRandy's Summer: A Story for GirlsA young girl escapes into a magical book of kings, queens, and fairies, but her daily life of baking pies and chores on a sunny summer day keeps pulling her back.
Level B2Children'sRandy and Her FriendsSixteen-year-old Randy Weston cherishes her beloved mare Snowfoot and dreams of making the most of her school year, eager to learn beyond the district limits while balancing friend…
Level B2Children'sRanald Bannerman's BoyhoodA Scottish clergyman’s son reflects on the simple, meaningful moments of his boyhood in the quiet countryside, where floods, dreams, and family life shape his earliest memories and…
Level B2AdventureRan Away to SeaA sixteen-year-old boy defies his loving parents and runs away to sea, driven by a lifelong passion for ocean adventures and tales of pirates, storms, and exotic lands.
Level B2MysteryRalph, the Train Dispatcher; Or, The Mystery of the Pay CarRalph, a sharp young train dispatcher, teams with veteran fireman Fogg to unravel the suspicious activities of three mysterious men targeting the Overland Express.
Level B2AdventureRalph on the Overland Express; Or, The Trials and Triumphs of a Young EngineerA young engineer takes the helm of the fastest locomotive on the Great Northern, racing against time to deliver the crucial China & Japan Mail.
Level B2AdventureRalph on the Midnight Flyer; or, The Wreck at Shadow ValleyAmid rising labor unrest on the Great Northern railroad, young dispatcher Ralph Fairbanks navigates tensions between officials and workers, uncovering the fragile balance of power…
Level B2AdventureRalph on the Engine; Or, The Young Fireman of the Limited MailA determined young fireman faces fierce rivalry and dangerous storms as he fights to prove his worth on the railroad and protect his family’s legacy against a ruthless magnate’s th…
Level B2AdventureRalph in the Switch Tower; Or, Clearing the TrackIn the bustling switch tower of Stanley Junction, veteran railroader Jack Knight faces a crisis when his unreliable assistant Mort Bemis causes a devastating accident.
Level B2Children'sRalph Trulock's Christmas RosesIn the village of Fairford, twelve charming homes called Lady Mabel's Rest shelter the poor and respectable, bound by a touching legacy of love and loss.
Level B2MysteryRalph Raymond's HeirA mysterious man buys a rare poison from a small drugstore, sparking a tense pursuit by a street-smart boy hired to uncover the stranger’s identity and motives.
Level B2AdventureRalph Osborn, Midshipman at Annapolis: A Story of Life at the U.S. Naval AcademyAn ambitious young man dreams of joining the U.
Level B2AdventureRalph Gurney's Oil SpeculationTwo college friends reunite to explore the thrilling world of Pennsylvania’s oil fields, where civil engineering meets danger from patent-infringing “moonlighters” risking both lif…
Level B2AdventureRalph Granger's FortunesCaught in a bitter family feud, fifteen-year-old Ralph Granger faces the deadly task of avenging his father's death—but his heart pulls him toward peace instead of violence.