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'sA Terrible TomboyA fearless girl defies danger and rules as she balances atop a barn beam, drawing admiration and concern from those around her.
Level B2Children'sA Terrible CowardIn the rugged fishing town of Carn Du, where the sea crashes fiercely against towering rocks, young Mark Penelly stands poised to prove his bravery and mastery as the finest swimme…![Cover of A Taxicab Tangle; or, The Mission of the Motor Boys by Stanley R. [Adapter] Matthews](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8kui5nmvfc73bidk20.webp)
Level B2AdventureA Taxicab Tangle; or, The Mission of the Motor BoysTwo adventurous friends explore New York with motor cars and dreams of aviation, until a surprising letter arrives promising a fortune tied to a mysterious mining claim—setting the…
Level B2AdventureA Tale of the Tow-PathA hardworking boy, Joe Gaston longs for a summer escape from relentless chores to enjoy fishing by a peaceful lake.
Level B2Children'sA Tale of the Summer HolidaysFour siblings plan their traditional birthday battle and feast, but their eldest brother’s strange new attitude after school threatens to change everything in this lively summer ad…
Level B2PoetryA Tale of Two Monkeys, and other storiesTwo playful Brazilian monkeys escape their cage, wreaking charming havoc in a kindly doctor's home until their mischief leads to an unexpected fate.
Level B2HistoricalA Tale of Red PekinIn a remote Chinese village, a young girl navigates the challenges of missionary life amid cultural clashes, perilous uprisings, and deep bonds of friendship.
Level B2Children'sA Sweet Girl GraduatePriscilla Penywern Peel is about to leave her quiet cottage for college, carrying hopes, nerves, and the support of her lively younger sisters.
Level B2AdventureA Sunny Little LassIn a cramped, sunless corner of New York, young Glory cares for her blind grandfather, turning their tiny "ship" of a home into a sanctuary of hope and resilience amidst hardship a…
Level B2Children'sA Summer in a Canyon: A California StoryA lively group of children and their friends gather to name their summer camp in a sunny California canyon, sparking playful debates and adventures.
Level B2Children'sA Struggle for a FortuneIn a war-torn Missouri cabin, Jonas Keeler struggles to stretch a dwindling sum meant to support an old man, while facing the harsh realities of survival and broken promises in the…
Level B2AdventureA Story of the Golden AgeEmbark on a vivid journey through ancient Greece, where myths and legends come alive against the backdrop of sea-girt Ithaca and heroic quests, weaving the tales that lead to the e…
Level B2AdventureA Son of CourageIn a remote wilderness home, Mary Wilson confronts isolation, family tensions, and mysterious hardships, while clinging to her faith and duty to care for those in need.
Level B2Children'sA Selection from the Norse Tales for the Use of ChildrenTwo brothers, True and Untrue, set out to earn their living, but betrayal leaves True blind and alone in a dark forest.
Level B2AdventureA Scout of To-dayA spirited fourteen-year-old boy ventures beyond familiar salt-marshes into the vast, mysterious New England woods, eager to uncover hidden secrets and thrilling adventures that te…
Level B2AdventureA Sailor in Spite of HimselfRival rowing crews at a Southern academy prepare for a thrilling championship race that has the whole town buzzing with excitement and divided loyalties.
Level B2AdventureA Runaway Brig; Or, An Accidental CruiseTwo boys seize a rare chance to sail the leaky tender Sally Walker before its skipper departs, unaware their seaside adventure may lead to unexpected challenges far from shore.
Level B2FantasyA Round DozenIn a remote alpine valley, a brave boy named Fritz discovers a mysterious white door carved into a cliff, leading to a hidden world where playful, cloud-like creatures invite him i…
Level B2Children'sA Ring of RubiesA young woman, trapped in a life of poverty and strict family expectations, resolves to break free by pursuing her passion for art in London, challenging the limits placed on her b…
Level B2AdventureA Rebellion in DixieAmid the turmoil of the Civil War, a determined community in Mississippi refuses to join the Confederacy, risking everything to resist conscription and forge their own path.
Level B2Children'sA Prairie InfantaIn a rugged Colorado mining town, Jane Combs—a tough, solitary woman—must care for a frightened child left behind when a traveling family is struck by tragedy.
Level B2Children'sA Popular SchoolgirlSummer holidays bring a joyful family reunion at a seaside farm, but as the carefree days slip by, school looms ahead.
Level B2RomanceA Plucky GirlBorn into privilege but thrust into poverty, a determined young woman refuses to fade into obscurity and instead transforms her family’s luxury into a daring venture of running a b…
Level B2HistoricalA Plea for Old Cap CollierIn a strict, small-town world where Sundays stretch endlessly and childhood punishments are harsh, a boy's love for forbidden dime novels sparks a quiet rebellion against rigid rul…
Level B2HistoricalA Pilgrim Maid: A Story of Plymouth Colony in 1620Amidst the perilous voyage of the Mayflower, young Constance Hopkins and her family brace themselves to forge a new life in the unknown wilderness of Plymouth Colony in 1620, where…
Level B2Children'sA Picture-book of Merry TalesIn a quaint village, the spirited young Owlglass defies expectations with his wild tricks and mischievous pranks, causing uproar among friends and neighbors alike.
Level B2Children'sA Peep Behind the ScenesIn a rain-soaked fairground, a kind old man visits Rosalie, a delicate girl living with her ailing mother in a cramped caravan, offering a picture of hope and compassion that hints…
Level B2Children'sA Patriotic SchoolgirlTwo sisters embark on a new chapter as they prepare to leave home for Brackenfield boarding school—one bold and determined, the other shy and uncertain.
Level B2Children'sA Pair of ThemIn a charming neighborhood, spirited Bonny-Gay shares her lively world with her clever dog Max and a kindly Gray Gentleman, inviting you to discover their heartwarming adventures a…
Level B2Children'sA Pair of Schoolgirls: A Story of School DaysAs a new school year begins at bustling Avondale College, a close-knit group of girls face the excitement and challenges of elections, friendships, and fresh opportunities in a liv…
Level B2Children'sA Pair of ClogsIn a smoky factory town, a devoted mother braves long, tiring journeys to keep her beloved toddler close, while the child—bright, beautiful, and cherished by all—wins hearts with h…
Level B2Children'sA New History of Blue Beard: For the Amusement of Little Lack Beard, and His Pretty SistersTwo sisters are caught in the grip of a wealthy, fearsome nobleman known as Blue Beard, whose sinister past looms over their fate as they are swept away to his grand castle amid da…
Level B2Children'sA Modern Tomboy: A Story for GirlsAt Sunnyside, Lucy Merriman prepares to welcome six new girls to her mother’s home-turned-school, promising a fresh start full of challenges, friendships, and the unexpected trials…
Level B2Children'sA Modern CinderellaA young girl named Marilla navigates a chilly kitchen and a strict household, dreaming of warmth and kindness while imagining a fairy godmother might just appear.
Level B2AdventureA Middy of the King: A Romance of the Old British NavyA young midshipman, recently recovered from a serious injury, prepares to join the newly launched frigate Europa, eager to serve his country and prove his courage in the old Britis…
Level B2Children'sA Merry ScoutEager to prove himself a true scout, young Davy takes on snow-shoveling jobs to earn Christmas gifts for his parents, but when a frantic young lady entrusts him with her suitcase f…
Level B2AdventureA Lucky Deal; or The 'Cutest Boy in Wall StreetStruggling to pay rent after losing their father and savings, the Hazard family faces a desperate blow when their last money goes missing—can resourceful Jack turn misfortune into…
Level B2AdventureA Loyal Little Red-Coat: A Story of Child-life in New York a Hundred Years AgoAmid the turmoil of Revolutionary-era New York, young Hazel Boniface, a proud Loyalist, navigates childhood friendships and fierce political divides, dreaming of skating lessons fr…
Level B2HistoricalA Lost Leader: A Tale of Restoration DaysAmid the turmoil of England’s Restoration, a young soldier stands witness to King Charles I's final journey, caught between loyalty and the fierce ideals of the era.
Level B2HistoricalA Little Union ScoutA young college graduate discovers a hidden scrapbook revealing tales of Captain Frank Leroy, a daring Union scout seen as hero or villain depending on the side.
Level B2Children'sA Little Queen of Hearts: An International StoryTwo brothers, Harold and Ted, navigate their complex emotions and family ties amid unexpected challenges, as secrets and heartfelt decisions lead them on a poignant journey of grow…
Level B2PoetryA Little Present for a Good ChildDiscover a charming collection of nature-inspired verses that celebrate animals, seasons, and simple joys, inviting young readers into a world of gentle lessons and playful imagery…
Level B2Children'sA Little Mother to the OthersFour imaginative children named after Greek legends spend their days in a magical, fruit-laden garden where they explore nature, tell stories, and find joy in flowers, stars, and t…
Level B2Children'sA Little Miss Nobody; Or, With the Girls of Pinewood HallA lonely girl with no known family or past struggles to find her identity and place among the monogram-obsessed students at Higbee School.
Level B2PoetryA Little Girl to her Flowers in VerseA young girl celebrates the beauty and charm of flowers through heartfelt verses, inviting readers to explore nature’s colorful wonders and the divine artistry behind them.
Level B2HistoricalA Little Girl of Long Ago; Or, Hannah Ann: A Sequel to a Little Girl in Old New YorkIn 1846 New York, eleven-year-old Hanny Underhill navigates a world on the brink of change, filled with family warmth, historical reflections, and the excitement of a Valentine bal…
Level B2HistoricalA Little Girl in Old WashingtonA young girl from Kentucky navigates the complexities of a blended family in early 19th-century Washington, caught between rival loyalties and the hopes of a new home filled with c…
Level B2HistoricalA Little Girl in Old St. LouisIn the budding frontier town of old St.