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 B2Children'sAnimal HeroesIn a gritty alley, a clever stray cat fights to survive and protect her family amidst rival cats and scarce food.
Level B2AdventureAndy the Acrobat: Or, Out with the Greatest Show on EarthA fearless boy with a knack for daring stunts faces expulsion after a string of mischievous antics at school, but his dreams pull him toward the thrilling world of the circus and a…
Level B2Children'sAndy at Yale: Or, The Great Quadrangle MysteryAs graduation nears, five lifelong friends face the bittersweet reality of parting ways and choosing their futures, with Andy torn between Yale and Harvard.
Level B2Children'sAndy Grant's PluckA devoted student at Penhurst Academy receives a mysterious telegram urging him to return home immediately, sparking a journey filled with unexpected challenges and life-changing d…
Level B2Children'sAndy Gordon; Or, The Fortunes of A Young JanitorA determined young janitor at a small-town academy stands up to a proud classmate who looks down on him, proving that courage and self-respect matter more than wealth or status.
Level B2Children'sAn independent daughterAt college, Persis navigates lively friendships, clashing personalities, and the challenges of dorm life, all while embracing independence and discovering the true nature of those…
Level B2AdventureAn aviator's luckIn a bustling summer park, two boys—Eddie, the diligent court keeper, and his loyal friend Bill—dream of adventure beyond their daily routines.
Level B2Children'sAn Uninvited Member: A Play for Girls in Two ScenesIn a lively schoolroom, a curious girl named Effie tries to crack the secret behind the mysterious Society of S.
Level B2HistoricalAn Old-Fashioned GirlA spirited young girl from the countryside arrives to stay with a city family, challenging modern fashions and attitudes with her old-fashioned charm and values, sparking both curi…
Level B2Children'sAn Everyday Girl: A StoryLeft orphaned and unwanted, young Ellen faces a cold family meeting where relatives debate her future—will she be taken in or sent to an institution?
Level B2FantasyAn Entertaining History of Tom ThumbDiscover the whimsical tale of Tom Thumb, a tiny hero navigating a world much larger than himself, filled with adventure and enchantment that captivates readers of all ages.
Level B2FantasyAn Enchanted Garden: Fairy StoriesTwo imaginative siblings, Rafe and Alix, face the challenge of no new stories to share during their bright Easter holidays, sparking a quest for fresh tales and adventures that wil…
Level B2PoetryAn Elegy on the Death of a Mad DogA darkly comic poem recounts the unexpected demise of a mad dog, blending humor and tragedy in a quirky elegy that challenges the boundaries between man and beast.
Level B2Children'sAn Australian LassieAt Wygate School, young Elizabeth Bruce's fiery spirit is tested when a new boy arrives and challenges her top spot in class, sparking rivalry and lessons in fairness and courage.
Level B2Children'sAn Arrow in a Sunbeam, and Other TalesIn a humble attic room, a grieving widow and her disabled son find unexpected comfort when four lively girls, calling themselves "The Quartette of Mercy," set out to brighten their…
Level B2AdventureAn Annapolis First ClassmanThree midshipmen reunite briefly in Chicago before returning to the Naval Academy, where rigorous training and camaraderie shape their path to becoming fleet-ready officers.
Level B2AdventureAmy in Acadia: A Story for GirlsA determined young woman embarks on a summer journey to Acadia with her mother and friends, seeking rest, study, and healing, while fending off persistent suitors who threaten to d…
Level B2Children'sAmy Harrison; or, Heavenly Seed and Heavenly DewTwo sisters, Amy and Kitty Harrison, embark on a Sunday school walk that reveals their contrasting characters and choices in life.
Level B2Children'sAmos HuntingdonA sudden attack by a wild dog sends a family carriage teetering on the edge of a dangerous chalk-pit, sparking a tense rescue under the dark October night.
Level B2HistoricalAmong the campsIn a Southern home during the Civil War, Christmas loses its magic as war takes its toll on a family longing for their absent father and the joy of old traditions.
Level B2Children'sAmong the Trees at ElmridgeThree curious children explore the colorful world of springtime trees with their governess, discovering the secrets of catkins, willows, and other wonders hidden among the branches…
Level B2AdventureAmong the Red-skins; Or, Over the Rocky MountainsWhen young Hugh goes missing in the wilderness near the Rocky Mountains, his family sets out on a tense search, facing wild beasts and the threats of the untamed frontier.
Level B2Children'sAmong the Pond PeopleDive into a lively pond world where frogs awaken from winter slumber and tiny minnows and turtles reveal the secrets of their watery homes.
Level B2Children'sAmong the Night PeopleDiscover the secret world of night-time creatures through charming tales that reveal how plants, animals, and even farmyard hens live and grow while the world sleeps, inviting youn…
Level B2Children'sAmong the LindensIn bustling 19th-century New York, a spirited schoolgirl named Bonny rescues a bewildered old gentleman amid the city’s chaos, sparking an unexpected adventure filled with kindness…
Level B2HistoricalAmong the Forest PeopleA young red squirrel, raised in captivity, longs for freedom and forest life but must learn the secret ways and delicate manners of the woodland to truly belong.
Level B2HistoricalAmong the Farmyard PeopleDiscover the lively world of farmyard animals as they share their joys, friendships, and simple adventures, revealing how much they think, feel, and help each other in their daily…
Level B2AdventureAmong Malay Pirates : a Tale of Adventure and PerilA midshipman’s dull patrol along a perilous river turns into a desperate rescue when Malay pirates collide their canoes, plunging a child into the turbulent waters.
Level B2AdventureAmerican boys afloatFour American boys, united by friendship and adventure, take command of a steam-yacht and its tender to explore the Mediterranean’s exotic ports.
Level B2FantasyAmerican Fairy TalesWhen young Martha unlocks her mysterious uncle’s chest, three curious men in colorful velvet emerge, sparking an adventure filled with magic, mystery, and unexpected visitors from…
Level B2HistoricalAmerica FirstA young boy, torn between his sheltered upbringing and the call to serve his country, faces the harsh realities of patriotism during a time of war.
Level B2Children'sAmarilly of Clothes-line AlleyA young scrubber’s chance encounter with the theater ignites her dreams of a brighter future beyond Clothes-line Alley.
Level B2Children'sAmanda: A Daughter of the MennonitesOn a hot summer day in Lancaster County, a spirited red-haired girl and her mischievous brother splash in a cool creek, navigating childhood adventures, family quirks, and the chal…
Level B2Children'sAlone in LondonIn the sweltering heat of London's narrow alleys, an old news agent’s quiet life is quietly observed, revealing the hidden struggles and small acts of kindness in the city's shadow…
Level B2Children'sAll the Way to Fairyland: Fairy StoriesIn the whimsical land of Nonamia, an absent-minded magician meets a curious Princess searching for her own castle in the air, sparking a charming tale of imagination, rooms for eve…
Level B2Children'sAll that happened in a weekAn eight-year-old girl arrives at her aunt’s unfamiliar house, where new sights, a mischievous cat, and unexpected troubles quickly turn her summer visit into an eventful adventure…
Level B2AdventureAll Taut; or, Rigging the boatA reformatory school transforms troubled boys through naval discipline as they learn to rig and sail the schooner Lily, navigating challenges on a creek and lake.
Level B2AdventureAll Adrift; Or, The Goldwing ClubA resourceful boy with a knack for boat handling seeks to support his family while navigating the challenges of life on Lake Champlain.
Level B2AdventureAll Aboard: A Story for GirlsTwo spirited sisters, Faith and Hope, prepare to leave the comfort of home and trusted guardian Debby as they embark on an adventurous voyage with their seafaring father.
Level B2AdventureAlive in the jungleUnder the oppressive heat of a Bengal night, a family battles the wild jungle’s dangers and their own fears as a fierce tiger roams nearby and jackals howl in the darkness, threate…
Level B2AdventureAlila, Our Little Philippine CousinJourney to the Philippine Islands through the eyes of Alila, a curious and lively boy whose family protects him from spirits with ancient customs.
Level B2FantasyAlice's Adventures Under Ground: Being a facsimile of the original Ms. book afterwards developed into "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"A curious girl named Alice follows a talking white rabbit down a mysterious rabbit hole, tumbling into a surreal underground world filled with strange passages, locked doors, and m…
Level B2Children'sAlias Santa ClausOn Christmas Day, two masked boys sneak into a lavishly decorated home filled with expensive toys meant for one lonely millionaire child.
Level B2AdventureAli Baba, or the Forty ThievesIn ancient Persia, humble woodcutter Ali Baba discovers a secret cave filled with treasure guarded by forty thieves and protected by the magical phrase "Open, Sesame.
Level B2Children'sAldyth's inheritanceIn the quiet town of Woodham, the Bland sisters lead contrasting lives—dreamy Hilda prefers books and daydreams, while lively Kitty thrives on adventure.
Level B2AdventureAladdin and the Magic LampA careless young boy is lured by a mysterious magician to a hidden cave, where a magical lamp and unimaginable treasures await.
Level B2MysteryAirship Andy; Or, The Luck of a Brave BoyA homeless boy with a knack for mechanics takes a job in a struggling garage, where he battles unfair bosses and shady dealings.
Level B2AdventureAir Service boys flying for FranceTwo friends fueled by passion and patriotism train as aviators during World War I, aiming to become heroes in the skies.