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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Level B2HistoricalA Little Girl in Old San FranciscoA young girl embarks on a long journey from a quiet Maine village to the bustling, evolving city of San Francisco, carrying with her memories, dreams, and the weight of family hard…
Level B2HistoricalA Little Girl in Old QuebecIn the rugged early days of Quebec, a spirited young girl defies expectations and dreams of freedom beyond the fortress walls, while a hopeful newcomer navigates the wild landscape…
Level B2HistoricalA Little Girl in Old PittsburgAmid the hopeful stir of a small colonial town, a young girl grapples with the thrilling news of Cornwallis’s surrender, caught between her grandfather’s skepticism and the promise…
Level B2HistoricalA Little Girl in Old PhiladelphiaIn a Quaker household in old Philadelphia, spirited Primrose faces the challenges of growing up amid strict rules and uncertain futures.
Level B2HistoricalA Little Girl in Old New YorkA young girl faces the big city and a new life as her family prepares to leave the countryside for bustling New York, discovering the charm and challenges of a world filled with gr…
Level B2HistoricalA Little Girl in Old ChicagoA weary father and his young daughter arrive at a struggling settlement on the outskirts of Old Chicago, seeking a fresh start amid uncertain times.
Level B2Children'sA Little Florida LadyA spirited young girl named Beth faces a big move from snowy New York to sunny Florida, bringing along her mischievous charm and a secret kitten.
Level B2HistoricalA Little Dusky HeroIn the sweltering heat of Tampa, a ragged young boy named George Washington McKinley Jones arrives, determined to prove his heroism despite his hardships.![Cover of A Little Colored Boy, and Other Stories by Methodist Book Concern [Publisher]](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf8floe1ofc73dhcehg.webp)
Level B2Children'sA Little Colored Boy, and Other StoriesIn a warm-hearted rural home, a spirited boy named Ned learns the meaning of responsibility and kindness through gentle guidance and the simple joys of nature, music, and helping o…
Level B2FantasyA Little Boy LostIn a remote desert paradise, young Martin finds joy among sunflowers, animals, and his carpenter father's craft, but an unexpected discovery in his pinafore sets him on a journey w…
Level B2Children'sA Little Book of Profitable TalesIn a forest stirred by celestial wonders, a humble little tree becomes the center of an angelic celebration and a divine mystery, as stars dance and heavenly music fills the night,…
Level B2HistoricalA Lincoln ConscriptAs the Civil War rages around Gettysburg, a patriotic village rallies its young men for military drills, but tensions rise when a boy with a controversial family background joins t…
Level B2Children'sA Life's EclipseA humble under-gardener boldly declares his love for the landowner’s daughter, but faces harsh rejection and rivalry from a more favored suitor.
Level B2AdventureA Lad of MettleAt Redbank School, where athletic prowess and honor reign, young Edgar Foster faces down the notorious Bully Rakes, proving his quiet strength and setting the stage for a tale of c…
Level B2FantasyA Kidnapped Santa ClausIn the joyful Laughing Valley, Santa Claus and his magical helpers craft toys to spread happiness to children everywhere—until the bitter Daemons of the nearby mountain plot to cap…
Level B2AdventureA Jolly FellowshipSixteen-year-old Will Gordon embarks on an adventurous journey aboard a steamship, accompanied by his youthful friend Rectus.
Level B2AdventureA Jacobite Exile: Being the Adventures of a Young Englishman in the Service of Charles the Twelfth of SwedenAmidst the fierce Jacobite loyalties and political intrigues of early 18th-century England, a young Englishman embarks on daring adventures in the service of Charles XII of Sweden,…
Level B2Children'sA House Party with the Tucker TwinsTwo weeks at a grand country estate bring the Tucker Twins and their friends together for a lively house party filled with new faces, old friendships, and unexpected challenges—lik…
Level B2AdventureA Horse's TaleFollow the adventures of Buffalo Bill’s horse, a swift and savvy scout who knows the frontier like the back of his hoof, as he navigates battles, trails, and the wild landscapes of…![Cover of A Hoodoo Machine; or, The Motor Boys' Runabout No. 1313. by Stanley R. [Adapter] Matthews](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf69uge1ofc73dhbqh0.webp)
Level B2MysteryA Hoodoo Machine; or, The Motor Boys' Runabout No. 1313.Three boys chase a wildly uncontrolling runabout tagged with double unlucky number 1313, uncovering a mysterious machine that defies reason and threatens chaos on the road.
Level B2AdventureA Hero of RomanceTrapped indoors on a gloomy half-holiday, young Bertie Bailey faces the tedious punishment of copying lines from Paradise Lost under the watchful eye of a stern usher.
Level B2AdventureA Hero of Liége: A Story of the Great WarAs Europe teeters on the brink of war, Kenneth Amory navigates the tense atmosphere of a family business divided by loyalty and suspicion.
Level B2Children'sA Great Emergency and Other TalesFour siblings, led by resourceful Rupert, turn a sleepy life lively with lessons on courage and quick thinking from an old leather-bound manual, preparing for any emergency—from fi…
Level B2Children'sA Girl of the LimberlostElnora Comstock escapes a harsh home life and sets out on a determined journey to high school, facing judgment and hardship as she seeks knowledge and a better future beyond the Li…
Level B2Children'sA Girl of To-dayTwo siblings reunite after months apart, stepping into the gentle rhythms of village life where friendship, family ties, and youthful adventures await.
Level B2AdventureA Girl of High AdventureA spirited girl of Irish and French heritage lives under the stern care of her aunt and adoring uncle, dreaming of her family's faded glory while defying expectations with fearless…
Level B2Children'sA Girl in Ten ThousandA young woman determined to break free from her modest life embraces the challenge of becoming a nurse, seeking independence and a new purpose despite her family's worries.
Level B2Children'sA Girl in Spring-TimeOn the eve of midsummer holidays, a group of schoolgirls share lively tales of picnics, seaside adventures, and haunted farmhouses, inviting readers into a charming world of youthf…
Level B2Children'sA Garland for GirlsSix young Boston girls form the Mayflower Club, gathering weekly to read, sew, and grapple with the challenges of helping others less fortunate.
Level B2RomanceA Frog He Would A-Wooing GoA determined frog sets out on a whimsical wooing adventure, joined by a rat and a mouse, but their merry-making is soon interrupted by unexpected dangers in this lively animal fabl…
Level B2HistoricalA Fortunate TermIn a bleak, snowy northern town, delicate Mavis battles bronchitis while dreaming of the warm, blooming gardens of Durracombe.
Level B2Children'sA Flock of Girls and BoysIn a lively New England town, spirited Tilly Morris clashes with Boston's aristocratic Pelhams while discovering unexpected friendships and challenging social snobbery alongside Wi…
Level B2AdventureA Flight with the Swallows; Or, Little Dorothy's DreamA lonely girl escapes her quiet life when a friendly swallow invites her on a magical flight to the sunny South, promising adventure beyond her garden walls and the chance to disco…
Level B2AdventureA Final Reckoning: A Tale of Bush Life in AustraliaA spirited boy faces false accusations in a tough village school, while dangers lurk beyond the classroom in the wild Australian bush.
Level B2Children'sA Dog of Flanders, The Nürnberg Stove, and Other StoriesIn a humble Flemish village, orphaned boy Nello and his loyal dog Patrasche share an unbreakable bond as they navigate poverty and hardship together, finding comfort in their simpl…
Level B2Children'sA Dog of FlandersOrphaned and impoverished, young Nello and his loyal dog Patrasche forge an unbreakable bond as they face hardship in a humble village near Antwerp.
Level B2Children'sA Dixie School GirlIn a peaceful Southern valley where community life revolves around the Four Corners store, the rhythms of country living unfold amid changing seasons and close-knit friendships.
Level B2AdventureA District Messenger Boy, and A Necktie PartyA twelve-year-old messenger boy finds himself stranded on a steamer bound for Providence, unexpectedly joined by a frightened child who has been kidnapped.
Level B2Children'sA Dear Little Girl at SchoolEdna navigates the joys and challenges of school life, family, and friendship during a season of change, all while sharing playful moments with her whimsical Cousin Ben.
Level B2Children'sA Dear Little GirlAn eight-year-old girl faces the bittersweet adventure of leaving home to live with her Aunt Elizabeth in the city, where new friends, bustling shops, and unexpected challenges awa…
Level B2HistoricalA Daughter of the UnionIn the midst of the Civil War, a determined group of young girls led by Jeanne Vance channel their patriotism into making socks and handkerchiefs, then hatch a plan to hold a fair,…
Level B2AdventureA Dash from Diamond CityIn the rugged diamond fields of Kimberley, three young men balance the quiet tension of office work with the looming threat of conflict, as one prepares to trade his pen for a rifl…
Level B2AdventureA Cousin's Conspiracy; Or, A Boy's Struggle for an InheritanceA determined sixteen-year-old boy cares for his dying uncle on the Iowa prairie, facing hardship and mysterious threats as he fights to secure an inheritance that could change his…
Level B2RomanceA City Schoolgirl and Her FriendsA determined young woman faces harsh realities when she and her sister must leave their home and survive on a meager income.
Level B2PoetryA Christmas Hamper: A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little FolksChildren’s holiday adventures unfold with mysteries and heartwarming surprises—from a lost uncle’s return after ten years on an island to daring seaside escapades and lively tales…
Level B2Children'sA Christmas Greeting: A Series of StoriesIn a street of new, neat houses stands an ancient, crumbling home that only a curious boy admires.
Level B2Children'sA Christmas Child: A Sketch of a Boy-LifeBorn on Christmas Day, baby Ted's fragile beginning unfolds in a seaside home where his delicate health challenges his young mother’s hopes.
Level B2Children'sA Christmas Carol; Or, The Miser's Warning!: (Adapted from Charles Dickens' Celebrated Work.)A cold-hearted miser dismisses the joy of Christmas, valuing money over kindness, until mysterious visitors and ghostly warnings challenge his bitter outlook and reveal the true sp…