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'sCourage: A story wherein every one comes to the conclusion that the Courage in question proved a courage worth havingA spirited little girl named Courage grows up under the care of a devoted father and kind caretaker, learning that true bravery is more than just a name—it's a quality worth having…
Level B2AdventureCourage, True Hearts: Sailing in Search of FortuneTwo brothers and their sister embrace the wild Scottish Highlands, where hunting, nature, and family bond their adventurous spirits.
Level B2Children'sCountess KateTwo spirited girls navigate childhood with limited means and boundless imagination in a loving but modest home, dreaming of a better life while embracing the challenges of family a…
Level B2Children'sCorrieIn a city touched by moonlight, young Corrie, a frail child with paralysed legs, finds comfort in her brother Robin's tender stories of Christmas, angels, and the promise of a joyf…
Level B2Children'sCornelliA spirited girl named Cornelli faces the sting of unjust suspicion while navigating childhood's joys and trials beside a roaring mountain stream.
Level B2AdventureCormorant Crag: A Tale of the Smuggling DaysA spirited boy defies his strict doctor father to embrace a wild coastal life filled with cliff-climbing, fishing, and adventure.
Level B2FantasyCoppertop: The Queer Adventures of a Quaint ChildA lonely Australian girl named Coppertop longs for her parents far away in India, finding comfort in her imagination and cherished mementos as a wild storm rages outside.
Level B2AdventureContraband: A Tale of Modern SmugglersCaught in a fierce Newfoundland gale, Dare Stanley boards the S.
Level B2Children'sConscienceTwo boys plot a clever prank to embarrass a schoolmate, but their mother challenges them to choose kindness over revenge, revealing the power of conscience through a heartfelt tale…
Level B2AdventureConnor Magan's Luck and Other StoriesA spirited twelve-year-old boy, Connor Magan, navigates the wild Ohio River during a spring flood, living a life full of adventure and hope amid the bustling, rough-and-tumble worl…
Level B2AdventureConnecticut Boys in the Western Reserve: A Tale of the Moravian MassacreTwo young emigrants seek shelter from a storm at a closed tavern in the Western Reserve, only to encounter uneasy strangers and the shadow of recent violence.
Level B2Children'sConcerning SallyA serious young girl named Sally cares for her ailing mother while her father, a weary professor, faces pressing duties that may keep him late from home.
Level B2MysteryComrades on River and LakeAs graduation nears, a group of eager boys at Winton Hall discover unexpected gifts—four new canoes waiting to launch them into thrilling adventures on river and lake, testing thei…
Level B2Children'sComical PeopleStep into a whimsical world where animals take on society’s roles, from literary lions to charming songbirds, as a young girl explores London's grand sights and the curious charact…
Level B2Children'sComfort Pease and her Gold RingA young girl treasures a gold ring and dollar given by her aunt, symbols of family and hope as she navigates schoolyard rivalries and the challenges of growing up.
Level B2MysteryColonel Thorndyke's SecretA valuable diamond bracelet stolen from a Hindu temple brings danger and mystery to the Thorndyke family in 18th century England, where highwaymen roam and dark forces pursue a dea…
Level B2Children'sCole's Funny Picture Book No. 1Explore a vibrant world of riddles, games, and colorful pictures designed to delight children and entertain adults alike, while discovering fascinating insights about Australia’s r…
Level B2AdventureCole of Spyglass MountainFour adventurous boys test nature’s limits in a swampy city lot, led by the curious and determined Joshua Cole, whose sharp mind turns a simple slug into the center of a daring bet…
Level B2Children'sClassic MythsJourney to the dazzling palace of the Sun-god with Phaeton, a boy determined to prove his divine heritage.
Level B2Children'sClarice Egerton's life storyIn the grand halls of Egerton Highfield, family tensions rise as tragedy strikes young Clarice, shaking the Egerton household to its core.
Level B2Children'sClaribelA mysterious new girl named Claribel arrives at school, walking with a crutch and dressed in deep mourning.
Level B2Children'sClara Maynard; Or, The True and the False: A Tale of the TimesA young heiress and her retired naval officer father sail along England’s southern coast, navigating family tensions and suitors as they prepare for a life-changing journey.
Level B2Children'sCinderella; Or, The Little Glass Slipper, and Other StoriesA kind-hearted girl, mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters, dreams of attending the royal ball.
Level B2Children'sCinderellaA kind-hearted girl endures cruel treatment from her stepmother and stepsisters, yet her gentle spirit shines through as she dreams of attending the prince’s grand ball, despite be…
Level B2Children'sCicely and Other StoriesIn a bustling dressmaking shop under winter's gray sky, young seamstress Cicely struggles with cold solitude and endless work, until a chance encounter with a kind-hearted visitor…
Level B2AdventureChums of the Camp FireFour adventurous boys bond over springtime frog hunting near their hometown, dreaming of bigger catches and hidden treasures.
Level B2AdventureChums in Dixie; or, The Strange Cruise of a MotorboatTwo young adventurers set out on a daring motorboat cruise through mysterious Florida swamps, where they encounter fierce locals and chase after a wild boy from a feared river trib…
Level B2Children'sChronicles of AvonleaIn a quiet village, Anne Shirley observes the slow, fifteen-year courtship of Ludovic Speed and Theodora Dix, blending gentle humor with heartfelt reflections on love, friendship,…
Level B2FantasyChristmas-Tree LandTwo children journey to a mysterious white castle nestled among endless fir trees in a high valley, where ancient roots and magical forests hint at secrets and adventures in a land…
Level B2Children'sChristmas-TideDiscover thoughtful guidance on choosing simple, durable toys that nurture creativity and self-activity in young children, with practical suggestions tailored to each stage from in…
Level B2Children'sChristmas, A Happy Time: A Tale, Calculated for the Amusement and Instruction of Young PersonsTwo sisters eagerly await their brothers’ return just before Christmas, navigating cold winds and dashed hopes with hopeful hearts and family warmth at Beech Grove.
Level B2AdventureChristmas in Austria; or, Fritzl's friendsOn a snowy Christmas Eve in Vienna, a homeless boy and his faithful terrier seek shelter and hope amid the festive carols and bustling crowds, holding onto music, friendship, and t…
Level B2Children'sChristmas at Punkin HollerIn a lively schoolroom at Punkin Holler, Miss Peppergrass struggles to tame her rambunctious pupils as they prepare a joyous Christmas entertainment filled with songs, decorations,…
Level B2AdventureChristmas at Cedar HillA cautious girl and three boys embark on a snowy Christmas train journey to Riverton, facing unexpected challenges and the responsibility of caring for one another along the way.
Level B2PoetryChristmas Tales and Christmas VerseA young man named Norss sails across mysterious seas guided by a dream to find his bride, encountering magical beings and wondrous adventures that lead to the birth of a remarkable…
Level B2PoetryChristmas Stories: "Jest 'Fore Christmas" and "The Night Before Christmas"On the quiet night before Christmas, a jolly St.
Level B2Children'sChristmas Stories And LegendsIn a land where love for a just and gentle king inspires a unique birthday tradition, people bring pure white gifts symbolizing their true and unselfish affection.
Level B2Children'sChristmas StoriesIn a bustling boys' lodging-house on Christmas Eve, a small boy’s innocent faith in Santa stirs the tough crowd to unite and secretly fill his worn stocking.
Level B2Children'sChristmas Speakin' at Skaggs's SkuleStep into a lively old-time schoolroom where children prepare for a joyful Christmas entertainment filled with catchy songs, humorous duets, and spirited performances that capture…
Level B2HistoricalChristmas LightIn a humble Bethlehem garden, eight-year-old Naomi delights in the simple beauty of her home and the rich stories of her ancestors, setting the scene for a heartwarming journey thr…
Level B2Children'sChristmas Holidays; or, a Visit at HomeTwo brothers eagerly return home for Christmas, each with distinct temperaments shaped by family love and guidance.
Level B2Children'sChristina and the boysIn a grand but lonely house, young Christina finds solace in her father's vast library, where stories like that of Joan of Arc stir her imagination and fears.
Level B2Children'sChristie, the King's Servant: A Sequel to "Christie's Old Organ"An aspiring artist escapes London’s heat for the charming seaside village of Runswick Bay, seeking fresh air and inspiration for his next masterpiece, while uncovering the beauty a…
Level B2Children'sChristie's old organIn a bleak lodging-house, lonely old Treffy finds solace only in turning the handle of his worn barrel-organ, struggling to bring music and comfort to a world that seems to have fo…
Level B2Children'sChrist LegendsA young child recalls the comforting stories her grandmother told, including a mysterious tale of a man seeking fire on a holy night.
Level B2PoetryChinese Mother Goose RhymesDiscover a vibrant collection of traditional Chinese nursery rhymes, where playful creatures, loving family moments, and everyday wonders come to life through charming verses and i…
Level B2HistoricalChildren's Stories in American Literature, 1660-1860Journey back to 1661 as a missionary reads the Bible in the Mohegan language to captivated Native children, revealing the early efforts to blend cultures through faith and storytel…
Level B2HistoricalChildren of South AmericaExplore the vast and vibrant continent of South America through the eyes of its children, from the towering Andes to the mighty Amazon, uncovering rich cultures, natural wonders, a…