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 B2AdventureDecatur and SomersTwo young midshipmen embark on their first naval cruise aboard the formidable frigate United States, navigating the challenges of friendship, duty, and the perils of the sea in a t…
Level B2Children'sDaybreak: A Story for GirlsIn a bustling orphanage on Christmas morning, new arrivals Kate and her sister Frances face loneliness and hardship, yet find fleeting beauty and hope in the world around them.
Level B2Children'sDavid's Little LadIn a quiet Welsh village, sixteen-year-old Gwladys wrestles with feelings of isolation and melancholy amid familiar landscapes.
Level B2Children'sDavid the Shepherd BoyIn the quiet hills of Bethlehem, young David tends his sheep with courage and care, unaware that a secret anointing by the prophet Samuel marks him as the future king chosen by God…
Level B2FantasyDavid Blaize and the Blue DoorA boy named David Blaize discovers a secret world beneath the ordinary, where flame-cats dance and peculiar creatures appear once the electric light is out.
Level B2MysteryDave Porter's Return to School; Or, Winning the Medal of HonorReturning to Oak Hall to finish his prep for college, Dave Porter faces old rivals and new challenges while striving to uphold his honor and uncover the truth about his mysterious…
Level B2AdventureDave Porter's Great Search; Or, The Perils of a Young Civil EngineerA young civil engineer braves Montana’s rugged mountains and brewing storms, only to face old enemies and the mysterious disappearance of his closest loved ones.
Level B2MysteryDave Fearless and the Cave of Mystery; or, Adrift on the PacificAfter a daring ocean adventure, young Dave Fearless faces betrayal when their hard-won treasure vanishes.
Level B2MysteryDave Dashaway, Air Champion; Or, Wizard Work in the CloudsYoung aviator Dave Dashaway sets his sights on the Grand International Aviation Contest, where daring feats and cutting-edge aircraft promise glory—and fierce rivalry.
Level B2AdventureDave Dashaway the Young Aviator; Or, In the Clouds for Fame and FortuneA determined young inventor struggles under the harsh guardianship of a cruel man while chasing his dream to build a real flying machine, hoping to soar beyond his difficult life a…
Level B2AdventureDave Dashaway and His Giant Airship; or, A Marvellous Trip Across the AtlanticA young aviator rises from humble beginnings to command the giant airship Gossamer, navigating rivalry and adventure in the thrilling world of early flight.
Level B2AdventureDave Dashaway Around the World; or, A Young Yankee Aviator Among Many NationsA daring young aviator prepares to embark on a thrilling global race in a revolutionary airship, facing hidden enemies and high-stakes adventure at every turn.
Level B2AdventureDave Darrin's Third Year at Annapolis; Or, Leaders of the Second Class MidshipmenA midshipman returns home on leave, caught between the challenges of naval training and the ties of old friendships, while tales of daring exploits and youthful camaraderie unfold…
Level B2AdventureDave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis: Or, Two Midshipmen as Naval Academy "Youngsters"At Annapolis, young midshipmen face a test of honor when one of their own is found in a compromising and dangerous situation just before a crucial summer cruise.
Level B2AdventureDave Darrin's Fourth Year at Annapolis: Headed for Graduation and the Big CruiseA midshipman at the Naval Academy navigates the pressures of his final year, balancing studies, camaraderie, and the fierce rivalry of the upcoming football season against West Poi…
Level B2AdventureDave Darrin's First Year at Annapolis: Two Plebe Midshipmen at the United States Naval AcademyTwo young men face nerves and fierce determination as they journey to the United States Naval Academy, where passing grueling exams and overcoming challenges will shape their futur…
Level B2AdventureDave Darrin on Mediterranean Service; or, With Dan Dalzell on European DutyTwo American naval officers in Gibraltar spot a dangerous brawler causing a scene in a vaudeville theater, sparking a chase that plunges them into a tense pursuit tied to a theft t…
Level B2AdventureDave Darrin at Vera Cruz: Fighting with the U.S. Navy in MexicoA young naval officer on a quiet New York evening stumbles upon a tense confrontation between a woman and a threatening man, setting the stage for a gripping adventure filled with…
Level B2AdventureDave Darrin After the Mine Layers; Or, Hitting the Enemy a Hard Naval BlowTwo destroyer commanders embark on a perilous naval mission off the Irish coast, navigating hidden mines and enemy threats in a tense World War I wartime cruise.
Level B2AdventureDarry the Life Saver; Or, The Heroes of the CoastA fierce hurricane batters a battered brigantine, leaving young cabin boy Darry clinging to survival alongside his loyal captain.
Level B2Children'sDaniel's YouthFollow the story of Daniel and three schoolboys as they learn the power of true purpose—beyond mere plans or words—to live with faith, diligence, and integrity despite challenges a…
Level B2AdventureDanforth Plays the Game: Stories for Boys Little and BigA strikingly handsome boy, new to Barnstead Academy, faces teasing and doubt as he joins the football team’s awkward squad, determined to prove his skill and rise above the jeers i…
Level B2Children'sDandelion CottageFour neighborhood girls discover friendship and adventure around the quaint, dandelion-surrounded cottage behind the big stone church in Lakeville, where challenges and charm aboun…
Level B2MysteryDan, the NewsboyA determined newsboy struggles to support his ailing mother after his father's financial ruin and death, while harboring a fierce desire to find the man who betrayed his family.
Level B2PoetryDame Trot and Her CatDame Trot’s gentle cat surprises her by preparing tea, keeping the house spotless, and even teaching the dog to dance—but her fondness for fashionable dress leads to a charming, mi…
Level B2FantasyDaisy; or, The Fairy SpectaclesIn a lonely forest, a humble woodcutter searches for love but faces rejection—until a mysterious old woman leads him to Susan, a gentle girl with a tender heart, sparking a magical…
Level B2Children'sDaisyA lonely young bank clerk arrives at a boarding house, where a curious, willful child named Daisy unexpectedly takes a tender interest in him, stirring warmth and innocence in his…
Level B2Children'sDaddy's GirlIn a grand London home, eight-year-old Sibyl Ogilvie navigates the delicate tensions between her quarreling parents with innocent charm and a child’s unique faith, discovering what…
Level B2HistoricalDaddy Jake the Runaway, and Short Stories Told after DarkIn 1863 Georgia, trusted carriage-driver Daddy Jake shocks a plantation by running away after a fierce clash with a new overseer.
Level B2Children'sDab Kinzer: A Story of a Growing BoyGrowing fast but fitting nowhere, Dab Kinzer struggles to keep up with his bustling family and the challenges of adolescence on their tight-knit farm.
Level B2AdventureCutlass and CudgelA young midshipman aboard His Majesty’s cutter patrols a misty, treacherous coast to uncover the secrets of elusive smugglers.
Level B2AdventureCurly LocksA sweet-hearted girl named Curly Locks, with golden ringlets and her beloved lamb Snow Drop, embarks on joyful adventures from city fêtes to countryside picnics, discovering friend…
Level B2Children'sCuore (Heart): An Italian Schoolboy's JournalFollow a young Italian schoolboy’s heartfelt journal as he navigates a year filled with lessons, friendships, and the bittersweet moments of growing up in a bustling schoolhouse al…
Level B2Children'sCulm Rock: The Story of a Year: What it Brought and What it TaughtOn the rugged, storm-battered Culm Rock, a mysterious old stone house stands as a beacon to sailors and home to a sorrowful, reclusive master.
Level B2AdventureCrown and Sceptre: A West Country StoryA spirited West Country lad navigates moors, lakes, and deer herds, uncovering the wild beauty and hidden dangers of his rugged homeland.
Level B2AdventureCrown and Anchor: Under the Pen'antA boy new to London becomes fascinated by a quirky old sea captain whose rugged appearance and mysterious air set him apart from the city's polished elite.
Level B2AdventureCrowded Out o' Crofield; or, The Boy who made his WayA determined blacksmith's boy, feeling "crowded out" of his small village, sets his sights on the city where he hopes to carve out a surprising and profitable future against all od…
Level B2FantasyCross Purposes and The ShadowsA curious queen invites mortals to her whimsical Fairyland, where a girl named Alice embarks on a magical journey guided by a charming fairy.
Level B2AdventureCrofton ChumsAt Crofton Academy, friendships, school spirit, and youthful adventures come alive as Gil and his chums return for another year filled with football, camaraderie, and the charm of…
Level B2AdventureCringle and cross-treeA young man with a thirst for adventure leaves behind his backwoods life and uncertain family past to pursue a daring voyage at sea.
Level B2Children'sCricket at the SeashoreAt Marbury by the sea, Cricket and her siblings embark on a summer adventure filled with swimming lessons, treasure hunts for buried money-bags, and endless seaside fun, where dete…
Level B2Children'sCricketIn a lively summer at Kayuna, a bustling country home, spirited Cricket navigates schooldays, friendships, and family chaos with boundless energy and charm.
Level B2AdventureCowboy Dave; Or, The Round-up at Rolling RiverDusty cowboys return from a grueling round-up, their spirits high but the future uncertain on the struggling Bar U ranch.
Level B2Children'sCoward or Hero?A young boy struggles with fear and the harsh disappointment of his soldier father who doubts his courage.
Level B2Children'sCousin Lucy's Conversations: By the Author of the Rollo BooksA young girl named Lucy turns her playful imagination into a make-believe schoolroom, where lessons, laughter, and sibling antics bring childhood adventures to life.
Level B2Children'sCousin Lucy at Study: By the Author of the Rollo BooksA young girl named Lucy receives a special slate and embarks on her first arithmetic lessons with her brother Royal, sparking sibling dynamics and the promise of a shared reward.
Level B2Children'sCousin Lucy at Play: By the Author of the Rollo BooksWhen illness confines Lucy and her brother Royal indoors, a special marble-colored box filled with books and toys becomes their treasure trove, offering comfort and amusement durin…
Level B2Children'sCousin Becky's championsWhen a fiery boy defends a wounded terrier from his cousin's cruelty, family tensions flare in a modest home on Princess Street.