Children's
Read Children's Classics in English
1,259 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.
- 1,259
- books
Level C1AdventureThe Story of Jack Ballister's Fortunes: Being the narrative of the adventures of a young gentleman of good family, who was kidnapped in the year 1719 and carried to the plantations of the continent of Virginia, where he fell in with that famous pirate Captain Edward Teach, or Blackbeard; of his escape from the pirates and the rescue of a young lady from out their handsKidnapped and sold into servitude on Virginia’s tobacco plantations, a young gentleman finds himself entangled with the infamous pirate Blackbeard, sparking a daring adventure of e…
Level C1FantasyThe Story of Doctor DolittleA kind-hearted doctor with a unique gift speaks the language of animals, inviting readers into a whimsical world where creatures big and small share their stories and adventures al…
Level C1Children'sThe Story of Blue-BeardA mysterious nobleman with a striking blue beard captivates curiosity and hides a dark secret behind a forbidden chamber.
Level C1FantasyThe Story Without an EndA Child lives simply in a hut, delighting in morning feasts shared with whimsical creatures who reveal the wonders of nature and the joy of freedom.
Level C1Children'sThe Story Hour: A Book for the Home and the KindergartenStep into the enchanting world of storytelling where lively children and whimsical characters come alive through tales of animals, adventures, and timeless virtues, all crafted to…
Level C1RomanceThe Stars in the Pool: A Prose Poem for LoversIn a realm of enchanted forests and a gleaming castle, a young sculptor named Flame arrives to win the heart of Princess Roseheart, whose beauty mirrors the dawn itself.
Level C1AdventureThe Spanish brothersIn 16th-century Spain, two noble brothers navigate the trials of a fallen family legacy amid castle walls and rainy days.
Level C1Children'sThe Song of the LarkIn a quiet Colorado town, a young doctor navigates the challenges of small-town life and personal duties on a snowy night, revealing the delicate balance between duty and desire un…
Level C1PoetryThe Song of HiawathaJourney into the rich legends of the Ojibway and other North American tribes through the haunting, lyrical tales sung by the musician Nawadaha, revealing the birth and deeds of Hia…
Level C1AdventureThe Slave of the Mine; or, Jack Harkaway in 'FriscoIn the gambling dens of San Francisco, a restless Englishman wrestles with luck and fate while shadowy figures and high-stakes games pull him deeper into a thrilling adventure wher…
Level C1HistoricalThe Sister Years (From "Twice Told Tales")As the Old Year, weary and battle-scarred, prepares to rest, her hopeful sister—the New Year—arrives, full of promise and untested dreams.
Level C1HistoricalThe Sign of the Red Cross: A Tale of Old LondonIn a prosperous but prideful London, whispers of plague stir unease among builders and tradesmen alike, as personal ambition clashes with looming disaster and the city’s moral deca…
Level C1Children'sThe ShuttleAcross the vast Atlantic, two worlds divided by conflict and history slowly draw closer as fate weaves an intricate web of connection.
Level C1Children'sThe Shield of SilenceTwo women from vastly different worlds converge at Ridge House, a mountain sanctuary shadowed by superstition and the ominous arrival of The Ship.
Level C1Children'sThe ShagganappiCaught between two worlds, Fire-Flint Larocque faces the challenge of forging his identity as a "half-breed" in Eastern society, where belonging means everything and prejudice shad…
Level C1HistoricalThe Seven Vagabonds (From "Twice Told Tales")A lone traveler encounters a mysterious wagon housing a miniature, animated world of artisans, dancers, and soldiers brought to life by a barrel-organ’s music.
Level C1Children'sThe Seven Little Sisters Who Live on the Round Ball That Floats in the AirTravel the globe with seven curious sisters as they explore diverse lands and cultures, sharing stories that blend geography, history, and heartfelt lessons for young readers eager…
Level C1AdventureThe Settlers: A Tale of VirginiaAn old sea captain’s trophy-filled home overlooks Plymouth Sound, where two young gentlemen arrive seeking him, setting the stage for an adventurous journey from England to the New…
Level C1AdventureThe Settler and the SavageStranded and starving in the vast South African Karroo, young Charlie Considine encounters Hans Marais, a formidable frontier farmer.
Level C1AdventureThe Secret Chamber at ChadUnder the moonlit skies of a grand old estate, three brothers face the quiet before a storm of family rivalry and hidden secrets.
Level C1Children'sThe Second GenerationIn a bustling flour mill, a hardworking owner commands respect through strength and skill, while his stylish, nervous son returns from a different world, setting the stage for a cl…
Level C1AdventureThe Search for the Silver City: A Tale of Adventure in YucatanA young adventurer's summer plans shift when a schoolmate falls ill, leading to an unexpected invitation aboard a grand steam yacht.![Cover of The Search After Hapiness [sic]: A Tale by Charlotte Brontë](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8lcg5nmvfc73bids10.webp)
Level C1PhilosophyThe Search After Hapiness [sic]: A TaleA restless nobleman leaves his grand city behind to seek true happiness, confronting solitude and uncertainty.
Level C1Children'sThe School-Girls in Number 40; or, Principle Put to the TestTwo schoolgirls prepare to leave their homes for boarding school, facing the bittersweet challenges of packing, parting, and stepping into new independence.
Level C1Children'sThe School Friends; Or, Nothing NewTwo school friends from different worlds—steadfast Lance and lively Emery—navigate friendship, family duty, and social expectations at Elmerston Grammar-School, while Lance cares f…
Level C1Children'sThe School FourIn an Eastern private school, rivals unite to form a new athletic league, blending football and rowing with lessons in sportsmanship and school spirit.
Level C1AdventureThe Scalp HuntersVast prairies and untamed forests paint the backdrop for a gripping tale of survival and conflict in the American West, where hunters and Native Americans clash amid the wild, flow…
Level C1Children'sThe Sa'-Zada TalesIn a scorching city zoo, Sa'-zada the Keeper bridges the gap between caged animals by encouraging them to share stories of their wild pasts, fostering friendship and survival amid…
Level C1Children'sThe Russian Grandmother's Wonder TalesStep into the rustic world of Southern Russia, where a grandmother’s folk tales weave magic, humor, and ancient wisdom into stories of foxes, enchanted birds, and transformative ad…![Cover of The Russian Garland, Being Russian Folk Tales by Robert Reynolds [Editor] Steele](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daer4uoe1ofc73dh8b0g.webp)
Level C1Children'sThe Russian Garland, Being Russian Folk TalesThree brothers set out on quests, but only the youngest, Lyubim Tsarevich, dares to seek his lost siblings and prove his worth as a future ruler—armed with a mysterious horse and a…
Level C1AdventureThe Rover's Secret: A Tale of the Pirate Cays and Lagoons of CubaA solitary artist's distant affection and mysterious family unhappiness shadow a boy's childhood, hinting at hidden secrets beneath their quiet London life.
Level C1FantasyThe Rose and the RingIn a whimsical kingdom where royal breakfasts spark intrigue, a charming prince and a magical ring stir up mischief, rivalry, and unexpected adventures in a tale filled with fairie…
Level C1AdventureThe Rock of the LionA young midshipman, once captured fighting against the King, now finds himself aboard a mighty English warship under Admiral Kempenfelt.
Level C1HistoricalThe Rival Heirs; being the Third and Last Chronicle of AescenduneAmid the upheaval of the Norman Conquest, two nations collide on the same soil—one ruling with opulence and pride, the other stripped of honor and land.
Level C1AdventureThe Rival Crusoes; Or, The Ship Wreck: Also A Voyage to Norway; and The Fisherman's Cottage.Two rival young men clash over a stolen miniature frigate, sparking a fierce contest of skill and pride by the lake.
Level C1AdventureThe Rifle RangersJourney to the untamed land of Anahuac, where emerald forests, towering mountains, and vast deserts hide legends of love, revenge, and adventure.
Level C1Children'sThe Rich Little Poor BoyA scrawny ten-year-old boy, dressed in oversized clothes and burdened with hard labor, navigates life under the watchful eye of his gruff foster father in a bustling tenement.
Level C1MysteryThe Red Pirogue: A Tale of Adventure in the Canadian WildsA mysterious red pirogue appears caught in the river’s net stakes, harboring an enigmatic girl with a letter of introduction — sparking young Ben O’Dell’s curiosity and drawing him…
Level C1AdventureThe Red Moccasins: A StoryIn the untamed wilderness of early Kentucky, young Sprigg Whitney grows up wild and free, raised by pioneers surrounded by dense forests and lurking dangers.
Level C1AdventureThe Red Man's Revenge: A Tale of The Red River FloodIn a remote Canadian frontier settlement, the fiery Elsie Ravenshaw and her rugged family face the challenges of wilderness life and a sudden shooting contest among the colony's be…
Level C1Children'sThe Red Fairy BookA dreamy cow-boy known as the Star Gazer sets out from his village to the castle of Beloeil, where twelve mysterious princesses wear out their shoes every night despite locked door…
Level C1Children'sThe Rebellion of MargaretIn a sprawling estate overshadowed by towering elms, young Margaret Anstruther faces the pressures of society and family expectations while yearning for freedom and adventure beyon…
Level C1Children'sThe Ravens and the Angels, with Other Stories and ParablesIn a medieval city where the grand Cathedral shelters both divine choirs and struggling poor, a widowed stone-carver’s wife and her children endure hunger and hardship while clingi…
Level C1AdventureThe Ranche on the Oxhide: A Story of Boys' and Girls' Life on the FrontierIn post-Civil War Kansas, a veteran and his family venture into the untamed frontier, facing the challenges of wilderness, hostile tribes, and the quest for a new life on the open…
Level C1AdventureThe Rambles of a RatIn a bustling London warehouse, a family of clever rats embarks on daring nightly adventures, navigating rivalries and unexpected feasts.
Level C1Children'sThe Rainbow, After the Thunder-StormCaught in a sudden thunderstorm far from home, Julia and her mother seek shelter while learning about nature’s power and mercy.
Level C1Children'sThe Railway Man and His ChildrenAmidst whispers and social scandal, a lady from a good family surprises everyone by marrying an engineer deemed beneath her class, sparking gossip and intrigue about love, status,…
Level C1FantasyThe Queen of the Pirate IsleA spirited nine-year-old imagines herself Queen of a pirate isle during a nursery adventure turned wild sea voyage, commanding her loyal but mischievous pirate crew through imagina…