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 B2FantasyDoctor Dolittle in the MoonAn extraordinary voyage unfolds as a doctor and his companions land on the mysterious Moon, exploring its eerie volcanic landscapes and strange new atmosphere while seeking signs o…
Level B2AdventureDo and Dare — a Brave Boy's Fight for FortuneA determined young boy fights to keep his mother’s post office job against the powerful Squire Walsingham’s nephew, facing selfish rivals and political influence in their small tow…
Level B2Children'sDivided SkatesA spirited girl on roller skates accidentally topples a timid old lady, sparking an unlikely friendship between a lively street child and a dignified woman living alone in a grand…
Level B2Children'sDimple DallasA shy girl faces the challenges of her first day at school, overcoming embarrassment and making new friends, while discovering the wonders of lessons like electricity that spark he…
Level B2Children'sDiligent DickA determined twelve-year-old boy sets out to win a Christmas decorating contract by selling evergreen supplies, aiming to help his family and surprise his father.
Level B2AdventureDigging for Gold: Adventures in CaliforniaAn eighteen-year-old neglected youth, passionate about art but stifled by his harsh uncle’s demands, dreams of forging his own path beyond the grim expectations of work and duty in…
Level B2AdventureDigging for Gold: A Story of CaliforniaA determined sixteen-year-old boy faces hardship and neglect in a struggling household, dreaming of a better life as he confronts his stingy stepfather and contemplates the promise…
Level B2MysteryDig Here!A young girl faces a summer away from her missionary parents, sent to live with her distant Aunt Calliope, whose lonely letters hint at hidden sorrows.
Level B2AdventureDiego Pinzon and the Fearful Voyage He Took Into the Unknown Ocean A.D. 1492In 1492 Andalusia, a daring crew led by the fearless Martin Alonzo Pinzon prepares to embark on a perilous voyage into the uncharted ocean, defying superstition and fear to chase a…
Level B2Children'sDickory DockIn a quiet Bloomsbury house, two children and a loyal dog become devoted caretakers of an orphaned baby whose arrival stirs new life and challenges in their humble world.
Level B2Children'sDickey Downy: The Autobiography of a BirdNestled in a peaceful meadow, a young bird recounts life’s simple joys and challenges among the orchard’s fluttering colony.
Level B2Children'sDickens' Stories About Children Every Child Can ReadIn a chilly Victorian street, a devoted father and his cheerful daughter share a humble meal and hopeful conversation, revealing the warmth and struggles of everyday life through t…
Level B2AdventureDick's Desertion: A Boy's Adventures in Canadian Forests: A Tale of the Early Settlement of OntarioA boy raised in the wild Canadian forests faces the harsh realities of pioneer life after his family’s fall from fortune, crafting a rugged existence amid untamed wilderness and fa…
Level B2AdventureDick the Bank Boy; Or, A Missing FortuneTwo boys from different worlds clash on a narrow road, sparking a fierce rivalry that extends from schoolyards to family fortunes.
Level B2AdventureDick o' the Fens: A Tale of the Great East SwampIn the wild Fenlands, young Dick Winthorpe and his friend Tom navigate a rugged landscape of fire, dogs, and mysterious hunters, where each day brings new challenges and adventures…
Level B2AdventureDick in the EvergladesTwo adventurous boys defy school rules and venture into the wild Everglades, where they encounter alligators, manatees, and Seminole Indians, testing their courage and friendship a…
Level B2AdventureDick in the DesertA weary family struggles to survive as they cross the harsh Nevada desert, facing hunger, exhaustion, and the mysterious disappearance of their father while hunting.
Level B2Science FictionDick and Dr. Dan; Or, the boy monster hunters of the Bad LandsTwo boys working at the National Museum are drawn into a mysterious expedition after reports of a terrifying lake monster in the Bad Lands challenge their scientific skepticism.
Level B2Children'sDick and BrownieUnder the scorching summer sun, a clever dog named Dick embarks on a tense escape across wild moorland, guided by faint scents and the hope of reuniting with his young mistress Hul…
Level B2Children'sDick Prescott's Third Year at West Point; Or, Standing Firm for Flag and HonorA determined cadet returns home from West Point, navigating the challenges of military training and the misunderstandings of civilians about army life.
Level B2AdventureDick Prescott's Second Year at West Point: Or, Finding the Glory of the Soldier's LifeAt West Point’s summer encampment, cadet Dick Prescott and his comrades endure grueling drills, strict discipline, and the challenges of military life as they strive to prove thems…
Level B2AdventureDick Prescott's Fourth Year at West Point: Or, Ready to Drop the Gray for Shoulder StrapsAmid the grueling heat and relentless pressure of a West Point summer, Cadet Dick Prescott commands his fellow cadets to build a vital pontoon bridge, testing leadership, endurance…
Level B2AdventureDick Prescott's First Year at West Point; Or, Two Chums in the Cadet GrayTwo ambitious young men navigate the nerve-wracking exams and trials as they strive to become cadets at West Point, stepping into a world where honor, discipline, and the dream of…
Level B2AdventureDick Onslow Among the RedskinsA determined settler and his companions embark on a perilous journey across the wild American frontier, facing hostile tribes, treacherous terrain, and relentless danger as they st…
Level B2MysteryDick Merriwell's Trap; Or, The Chap Who BungledIn a tense football game at Fardale Military Academy, Hal Darrell faces a moral dilemma as his teammate Dick Merriwell fights to lead their team to victory and win the heart of Jun…
Level B2MysteryDick Merriwell's Pranks; Or, Lively Times in the OrientTwo boys arrive in enchanting Constantinople, where mystery and rivalry swirl around the formidable Sarah Ann Ketchum of the Foreign Humanitarian Society.
Level B2Children'sDick Merriwell's Heroic Players; Or, How the Yale Nine Won the ChampionshipYale’s baseball heroes face their toughest challenge yet as they prepare to take on Harvard’s unbeatable pitcher Briggs, whose precise control and expert coaching threaten to shut…
Level B2AdventureDick Merriwell's Glory; Or, Friends and FoesA gifted young athlete rises to fame at Fardale Military School, but rivalry and treachery shadow his triumphs.
Level B2AdventureDick Merriwell's Fighting Chance; Or, The Split in the VarsityCollege friends balance fierce football rivalries and academic challenges while planning a daring fishing trip, revealing their spirited camaraderie and the trials of varsity life…
Level B2AdventureDick Merriwell's Day; Or, Iron NerveIn a fierce baseball season, captain Dick Merriwell leads his team through nail-biting games and tough rivalries, facing setbacks and high stakes as they chase the pennant with iro…
Level B2Children'sDick Merriwell's Backers; Or, Well Worth Fighting ForIn a tense baseball game, young pitcher Sam Kates struggles to prove himself under the watchful eye of teammate Dick Merriwell, who encourages him to overcome nerves and earn his p…
Level B2AdventureDick Merriwell's Assurance; Or, In His Brother's FootstepsA high school baseball captain battles injury and pride as his team faces a formidable semi-professional squad, wrestling with loyalty, leadership, and the weight of expectation in…
Level B2MysteryDick Merriwell Abroad; Or, The Ban of the Terrible TenIn the shadow of Scotland’s historic castles and legends, Dick Merriwell and his companions embark on a thrilling journey filled with ancient feuds, secret plots, and heroic battle…
Level B2Children'sDick LionheartA determined boy endures harsh treatment while dreaming of engines and a better life, finding hope in a loyal friend and a tiny puppy.
Level B2AdventureDick Darling's Money; or, The Rise of an Office Boy; and Other StoriesA plucky office boy embarks on a daring delivery mission with a valuable wedding gift, only to face unexpected obstacles that test his courage and resourcefulness on the road home.
Level B2AdventureDick Cheveley: His Adventures and MisadventuresA determined young man dreams of the sea, inspired by tales of naval heroes and buoyed by his family's hopes and doubts.
Level B2PoetryDew Drops, Vol. 37, No. 18, May 3, 1914On a rainy May afternoon, young Francis learns to find joy within himself, inspired by a singing robin and his mother's gentle wisdom.
Level B2Children'sDew Drops, Vol. 37, No. 09, March 1, 1914At a lively children's lawn party, a brother's broken promise to avoid tempting treats leads to unexpected consequences, teaching valuable lessons about trust, responsibility, and…
Level B2Children'sDew Drops, Vol. 37, No. 08, February 22, 1914Young girls learn that true kindness comes from simply being patient, thankful, and sweet, discovering how small acts of goodness can quietly brighten the world around them.
Level B2AdventureDevon Boys: A Tale of the North ShoreThree school friends return to their rugged North Devon coast hometown, where new land ownership sparks adventures and rivalries amid wild cliffs, secret histories, and the promise…
Level B2MysteryDetectives, Inc.: A Mystery Story for BoysDive into a gripping mystery where keen observation and loyal canine companions unlock secrets and solve crimes, revealing the powerful bond between a blind man and his remarkable…
Level B2AdventureDesk and Debit; or, The Catastrophes of a ClerkA determined young clerk sets out for Chicago to uncover the truth about his missing mother, navigating treacherous family secrets and facing moral challenges in the bustling city…
Level B2AdventureDerrick Sterling: A Story of the MinesIn a grim mining village, Derrick Sterling faces the harsh, dust-choked life of a breaker boy to support his struggling family after his father's death.
Level B2Children'sDenslow's Three BearsIn a cozy forest cottage, young Golden Hair befriends a welcoming family of three bears, sharing chores, meals, and joyful adventures that bring warmth and friendship to their once…
Level B2AdventureDefending the Island: A story of Bar Harbor in 1758Two families settle on rugged Mount Desert Island in 1758, forging homes behind sturdy palisades to protect against looming threats.
Level B2AdventureDeerfoot on the PrairiesA determined Shawanoe named Deerfoot leads a daring expedition from Ohio to the Pacific, joined by loyal companions and their sturdy horses.
Level B2AdventureDeerfoot in The MountainsA Shawanoe named Deerfoot and two adventurous brothers navigate the vast wilderness from the Ohio River to the Pacific, facing treacherous rivers and mysterious villages.
Level B2AdventureDeep Sea Hunters in the Frozen SeasOld Cap’n Pem and his companions prepare to set sail on the weathered schooner Narwhal, bound for a daring voyage into the Arctic’s frozen seas in search of whales, seals, and valu…