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 B2AdventureThe tale of Buster BumblebeeIn a bustling meadow, Buster Bumblebee belongs to a huge, lively family known for their music and honey-making, yet he prefers leisure over work.
Level B2Children'sThe tale of Brownie BeaverDive into the underwater village where Brownie Beaver and his friends build their homes beneath the pond’s surface, using sharp teeth to fell trees and clever dams to protect their…
Level B2AdventureThe tale of Benny BadgerBenny Badger loves digging into the homes of his smaller neighbors on the high plains, using his sharp wits and powerful claws to explore and seek out fresh tunnels.
Level B2Children'sThe straight road is shortest and surestOn a scorching June day, young Wilfred Marsden ventures through a dense, enchanting thicket to fetch orange blossoms for a grand wedding, only to face unexpected mishaps that test…
Level B2Children'sThe story of the IliadWhen Helen, the fairest woman, is taken from her Spartan husband by Prince Paris of Troy, the Greeks launch a ten-year siege of Troy, where gods and heroes clash in a legendary tal…
Level B2Children'sThe story of ironA young boy named Billy balances chores and dreams as he helps his uncle at a bustling iron foundry.
Level B2HistoricalThe story of a HessianAmidst the dangers of the Thuringerwald forest, a noble hunting party faces ominous signs as wolves threaten a village, intertwining the lives of a grieving family and a proud prin…
Level B2Children'sThe story of BettyIn a bustling spring morning on Warren Street, spirited 14-year-old Betty, a freckled Irish-American with a passion for bright colors, navigates the challenges of life in a boardin…
Level B2FantasyThe story of Aaron (so named) the son of Ben AliOn a Southern plantation where cotton grows and mockingbirds sing, children discover the mysterious Aaron, son of Ben Ali, who speaks the language of animals.
Level B2FantasyThe star jewels, and other wondersA spoiled little mermaid, Wavilocks, desires a necklace of twinkling stars instead of her treasured pearls, sparking a desperate quest that challenges the limits of oceanic magic a…
Level B2FantasyThe sociable Sand WitchBeneath the ocean’s sandy shore lives a most unusual witch who emerges only to make new friends.
Level B2HistoricalThe seed she sowedIn a struggling dockside community, young Winny Chaplin brings warmth and hope to her family amid harsh poverty and illness.
Level B2MysteryThe secret of the old millTwo brothers, amateur detectives and sons of a famed sleuth, find themselves drawn into mystery when a stranger’s urgent request and a missing father set the wheels turning in thei…
Level B2Children'sThe secret of OaklandsWhen a devastating financial crash threatens to strip the Woodford family of their cherished home, young Margaret faces uncertainty and hardship, uncovering hidden trials and secre…
Level B2Children'sThe school-girls' treasuryLonely and disappointed when her friend cancels a visit, Anna faces a week of solitude and must decide whether to brood or embrace resilience with the help of wise Caroline's gentl…
Level B2Children'sThe sailor's homeA wounded sailor returns home to find comfort and purpose in teaching and family life, navigating challenges on land with the same courage he showed at sea.
Level B2AdventureThe sailor boyA young sailor’s heart burns with patriotic fire as news of a naval victory ignites his dreams of joining the fight, but his mother wrestles with the cost of war on her family and…
Level B2Children'sThe royal bannerIn a Scottish Highland mansion, three orphans discover the true treasures beyond gold and rubies as they grow under the loving care of their aunt and uncle.
Level B2AdventureThe rogue elephantTwo boys join a daring African expedition to hunt wild elephants, living off the land with no luxury or support.
Level B2AdventureThe robbers' caveSet in wild Calabria, a proud young Englishman and his delicate mother endure a weary journey to a remote inn, where tensions rise amid rugged landscapes and clashing wills, hintin…
Level B2AdventureThe rival bicyclistsTwo rival boys race their bicycles under a full moon, unaware that a removed bridge ahead threatens a deadly plunge into a raging river below.
Level B2RomanceThe rise of a starAfter years of struggling in small-town theaters, Frances West finally lands a star role that could change her life—and reunite her with the daughter she sent away for a better fut…
Level B2Children'sThe reign of King OberonIn a kingdom where fairies rule the seasons and nature itself, a quarrel between King Oberon and Queen Titania threatens to unravel the world’s harmony.
Level B2Children'sThe red plantA young girl envies the beautiful garden of her wealthy neighbors and impulsively takes a rare red plant, sparking a journey of guilt, honesty, and self-discovery.
Level B2FantasyThe red feathersIn a mystical era where gods and giants roam, Run-all-day, a swift and skilled hunter of the Beothic tribe, strives to protect his growing family amid the wilds of ancient Newfound…
Level B2AdventureThe quest of the Silver Swan: A land and sea tale for boysStranded on a fragile raft in shark-infested waters after their shipwreck, four desperate men battle starvation and the merciless sea, clinging to hope as they navigate the wild oc…
Level B2Children'sThe quest for Santa ClausOn Christmas Eve in merry England, a mysterious Beggar Maid reveals herself as a fairy princess, bringing magic and light to a humble gathering.
Level B2Children'sThe proud girl humbled, or the two school-matesTwo schoolmates navigate the challenges of pride, social standing, and friendship, revealing how kindness and good conduct lead to true happiness beyond societal ranks.
Level B2Children'sThe power of kindness and other stories: A book for the example and encouragement of the youngIn a school torn by mischief and defiance, a conscientious boy faces the challenge of standing up for what’s right amid peer pressure and injustice.
Level B2Children'sThe poor Count's ChristmasA noble Count, beloved for his generosity, faces the harshest Christmas yet as poverty threatens his cherished holiday gathering for local children.
Level B2Children'sThe play that wonTwo schoolboy baseball players face friendship and financial trouble when Hal needs urgent help to avoid harsh school punishment.
Level B2AdventureThe pirate's goldA seasoned adventurer retraces a perilous mountain path in the Scottish Highlands by night, guided only by the sound of stones tossed ahead, as a mysterious treasure discovered off…
Level B2MysteryThe pirate sharkA determined young mechanic is swept into an unexpected Pacific voyage aboard a millionaire’s yacht, where mystery and adventure await on the enigmatic island of Tringanu.
Level B2Children'sThe pennantA summer on Grandfather Sprague’s farm offers a boy a world of adventure, from fishing on Six Town Pond to playful challenges with his lively grandfather.
Level B2Children'sThe pearl of patienceA young boy learns the true meaning of patience as he struggles to untie a stubborn knot and master his lessons, discovering that perseverance leads to success and joy in everyday…
Level B2Children'sThe pearl of charityFrank Jocelyn, once proud and prosperous, now faces hardship after his father's death and financial ruin.
Level B2AdventureThe pearl divers and Crusoes of the Sargasso SeaIn the eerie, weed-entangled Sargasso Sea, bold English youths and mysterious castaways navigate a silent, treacherous ocean filled with lost ships, hidden secrets, and haunting ec…
Level B2Children'sThe orphan niecesAmid schoolroom rivalries and tender friendships, two orphaned nieces navigate the challenges of duty, affection, and the longing for home during the tense days before an important…
Level B2Children'sThe optimistA young boy, left in the care of a strict and unfamiliar family, struggles to find comfort amid cold rooms, strange children, and awkward meals.
Level B2Children'sThe olive branch, and other storiesA young girl embarks on a heartfelt journey to mend a painful family rift, carrying messages of love and forgiveness despite the fear that shadows her path.
Level B2Children'sThe old house, and other storiesAn old Virginia house stands witness to a century of changing times, welcoming families, echoing laughter, and guarding stories of joy, sorrow, and hope beneath its stately porches…
Level B2Children'sThe old Worcester jugIn a shabby lane stands John Griffin’s Old Curiosity Shop, filled with rare and fragile treasures of china and antiques.
Level B2Children'sThe old Stanfield houseCalista Stanfield returns to the neglected family estate, where decaying grandeur and a forgotten graveyard mirror the troubles shadowing her past and present.
Level B2MysteryThe ocean wireless boys of the iceberg patrolA young wireless operator aboard a new freighter races against danger on the icy Atlantic, using his inventive portable radio and keen skills to navigate treacherous waters and unr…
Level B2RomanceThe oak staircaseIn a lively schoolroom debate, three children dream of adventure, history, and time travel, setting the stage for a tale woven from real historical episodes and romantic intrigue a…
Level B2AdventureThe nugget findersTwo resourceful boys, an orphan and a young sailor, embark on a daring adventure in Australia’s gold fields, armed with courage, friendship, and a modest sum of money, determined t…
Level B2Children'sThe nightingaleIn an exquisite porcelain palace in ancient China, the Emperor discovers tales of a mysterious Nightingale whose enchanting song captivates all who hear it.
Level B2AdventureThe naval cadet: A story of adventures on land and seaA spirited young Highlander with a mysterious past, Creggan M'Vayne navigates wild seas and rugged lands, earning respect and uncovering adventure from the rocky shores of Skye to…