Children's
Read Children's Classics in English
6,041 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 B1AdventureDido, the Dancing Bear: His Many AdventuresJoin Dido, the smallest bear cub, as he embarks on playful races and mischief with his brothers in a cozy mountain den, discovering the joys and challenges of growing up in the wil…
Level C1Children'sDiddie, Dumps, and Tot; Or, Plantation Child-LifeThree young sisters grow up on a Mississippi cotton plantation, where their lives intertwine with those of the enslaved people who care for them.
Level C1HistoricalDiddie, Dumps & Tot; or, Plantation child-lifeThree young sisters grow up on a Mississippi cotton plantation, surrounded by devoted caretakers and the rich traditions of Southern slave life.
Level B2Children'sDickory DockIn a quiet Bloomsbury house, two children and a loyal dog become devoted caretakers of an orphaned baby whose arrival stirs new life and challenges in their humble world.
Level B2Children'sDickey Downy: The Autobiography of a BirdNestled in a peaceful meadow, a young bird recounts life’s simple joys and challenges among the orchard’s fluttering colony.
Level B2Children'sDickens' Stories About Children Every Child Can ReadIn a chilly Victorian street, a devoted father and his cheerful daughter share a humble meal and hopeful conversation, revealing the warmth and struggles of everyday life through t…
Level B1FantasyDick, Marjorie and Fidge: A Search for the Wonderful DodoThree adventurous children discover their home flooded by a high tide, turning their breakfast room into a watery playground where an overturned table becomes a boat for an unexpec…
Level B1Children'sDick's retrieverOn a stormy night, young Dick and his mother rescue a soaked retriever, cruelly abandoned with a heavy stone tied to his neck.
Level B2AdventureDick's Desertion: A Boy's Adventures in Canadian Forests: A Tale of the Early Settlement of OntarioA boy raised in the wild Canadian forests faces the harsh realities of pioneer life after his family’s fall from fortune, crafting a rugged existence amid untamed wilderness and fa…
Level B2AdventureDick the Bank Boy; Or, A Missing FortuneTwo boys from different worlds clash on a narrow road, sparking a fierce rivalry that extends from schoolyards to family fortunes.
Level B2AdventureDick o' the Fens: A Tale of the Great East SwampIn the wild Fenlands, young Dick Winthorpe and his friend Tom navigate a rugged landscape of fire, dogs, and mysterious hunters, where each day brings new challenges and adventures…
Level B2AdventureDick in the EvergladesTwo adventurous boys defy school rules and venture into the wild Everglades, where they encounter alligators, manatees, and Seminole Indians, testing their courage and friendship a…
Level B2AdventureDick in the DesertA weary family struggles to survive as they cross the harsh Nevada desert, facing hunger, exhaustion, and the mysterious disappearance of their father while hunting.
Level B2Science FictionDick and Dr. Dan; Or, the boy monster hunters of the Bad LandsTwo boys working at the National Museum are drawn into a mysterious expedition after reports of a terrifying lake monster in the Bad Lands challenge their scientific skepticism.
Level B2Children'sDick and BrownieUnder the scorching summer sun, a clever dog named Dick embarks on a tense escape across wild moorland, guided by faint scents and the hope of reuniting with his young mistress Hul…
Level C1AdventureDick Rodney; or, The Adventures of an Eton BoyAn adventurous Eton boy torn between family expectations and his restless spirit sets out on a journey filled with perils, sea voyages, and daring exploits beyond the bounds of sch…
Level B2Children'sDick Prescott's Third Year at West Point; Or, Standing Firm for Flag and HonorA determined cadet returns home from West Point, navigating the challenges of military training and the misunderstandings of civilians about army life.
Level B2AdventureDick Prescott's Second Year at West Point: Or, Finding the Glory of the Soldier's LifeAt West Point’s summer encampment, cadet Dick Prescott and his comrades endure grueling drills, strict discipline, and the challenges of military life as they strive to prove thems…
Level B2AdventureDick Prescott's Fourth Year at West Point: Or, Ready to Drop the Gray for Shoulder StrapsAmid the grueling heat and relentless pressure of a West Point summer, Cadet Dick Prescott commands his fellow cadets to build a vital pontoon bridge, testing leadership, endurance…
Level B2AdventureDick Prescott's First Year at West Point; Or, Two Chums in the Cadet GrayTwo ambitious young men navigate the nerve-wracking exams and trials as they strive to become cadets at West Point, stepping into a world where honor, discipline, and the dream of…
Level B2AdventureDick Onslow Among the RedskinsA determined settler and his companions embark on a perilous journey across the wild American frontier, facing hostile tribes, treacherous terrain, and relentless danger as they st…
Level B2MysteryDick Merriwell's Trap; Or, The Chap Who BungledIn a tense football game at Fardale Military Academy, Hal Darrell faces a moral dilemma as his teammate Dick Merriwell fights to lead their team to victory and win the heart of Jun…
Level B2MysteryDick Merriwell's Pranks; Or, Lively Times in the OrientTwo boys arrive in enchanting Constantinople, where mystery and rivalry swirl around the formidable Sarah Ann Ketchum of the Foreign Humanitarian Society.
Level B2Children'sDick Merriwell's Heroic Players; Or, How the Yale Nine Won the ChampionshipYale’s baseball heroes face their toughest challenge yet as they prepare to take on Harvard’s unbeatable pitcher Briggs, whose precise control and expert coaching threaten to shut…
Level B2AdventureDick Merriwell's Glory; Or, Friends and FoesA gifted young athlete rises to fame at Fardale Military School, but rivalry and treachery shadow his triumphs.
Level B2AdventureDick Merriwell's Fighting Chance; Or, The Split in the VarsityCollege friends balance fierce football rivalries and academic challenges while planning a daring fishing trip, revealing their spirited camaraderie and the trials of varsity life…
Level B2AdventureDick Merriwell's Day; Or, Iron NerveIn a fierce baseball season, captain Dick Merriwell leads his team through nail-biting games and tough rivalries, facing setbacks and high stakes as they chase the pennant with iro…
Level B2Children'sDick Merriwell's Backers; Or, Well Worth Fighting ForIn a tense baseball game, young pitcher Sam Kates struggles to prove himself under the watchful eye of teammate Dick Merriwell, who encourages him to overcome nerves and earn his p…
Level C1AdventureDick Merriwell's Aëro Dash; Or, Winning Above the CloudsA reckless driver flees after striking a little girl on a quiet country road, leaving her gravely injured.
Level B2AdventureDick Merriwell's Assurance; Or, In His Brother's FootstepsA high school baseball captain battles injury and pride as his team faces a formidable semi-professional squad, wrestling with loyalty, leadership, and the weight of expectation in…
Level B2MysteryDick Merriwell Abroad; Or, The Ban of the Terrible TenIn the shadow of Scotland’s historic castles and legends, Dick Merriwell and his companions embark on a thrilling journey filled with ancient feuds, secret plots, and heroic battle…
Level B2Children'sDick LionheartA determined boy endures harsh treatment while dreaming of engines and a better life, finding hope in a loyal friend and a tiny puppy.
Level B2AdventureDick Darling's Money; or, The Rise of an Office Boy; and Other StoriesA plucky office boy embarks on a daring delivery mission with a valuable wedding gift, only to face unexpected obstacles that test his courage and resourcefulness on the road home.
Level B2AdventureDick Cheveley: His Adventures and MisadventuresA determined young man dreams of the sea, inspired by tales of naval heroes and buoyed by his family's hopes and doubts.
Level B1PoetryDew Drops, Vol. 37, No. 34, August 23, 1914A young boy experiences the joy of his first store-bought suit and a mischievous kitten that mysteriously lights up the house, while a lonely girl faces the sting of exclusion at a…
Level B2PoetryDew Drops, Vol. 37, No. 18, May 3, 1914On a rainy May afternoon, young Francis learns to find joy within himself, inspired by a singing robin and his mother's gentle wisdom.
Level B1PoetryDew Drops, Vol. 37, No. 17, April 26, 1914Twins Toby and Nancy discover a mysterious boat stranded among the rocks at low tide, only to find a frightened kitten hiding inside—sparking a heartfelt adventure of kindness and…
Level B1PoetryDew Drops, Vol. 37, No. 16, April 19, 1914Children's wonder blooms as ten fluffy chicks hatch unexpectedly on a warm engine room shelf, sparking delight and inventive care at home.
Level B1Children'sDew Drops, Vol. 37, No. 15, April 12, 1914Two young neighbors face small Easterday disappointments with kindness and creativity, discovering the true meaning of friendship and love.
Level B1PoetryDew Drops, Vol. 37, No. 10, March 8, 1914A young boy longs to bring a new friend to Sunday school, where each newcomer is celebrated like a fish caught in a shining river.
Level B2Children'sDew Drops, Vol. 37, No. 09, March 1, 1914At a lively children's lawn party, a brother's broken promise to avoid tempting treats leads to unexpected consequences, teaching valuable lessons about trust, responsibility, and…
Level B2Children'sDew Drops, Vol. 37, No. 08, February 22, 1914Young girls learn that true kindness comes from simply being patient, thankful, and sweet, discovering how small acts of goodness can quietly brighten the world around them.
Level B1PoetryDew Drops, Vol. 37, No. 07, February 15, 1914A young boy discovers the joy of painting and creating homemade valentines, planning thoughtful gifts for friends and family while learning about kindness and creativity.
Level C1PoetryDevotional Poetry for the Children. Second PartA heartfelt collection of devotional poems invites children to explore themes of kindness, prayer, and the wonders of nature, nurturing a gentle spirit and faith through simple, in…
Level B2AdventureDevon Boys: A Tale of the North ShoreThree school friends return to their rugged North Devon coast hometown, where new land ownership sparks adventures and rivalries amid wild cliffs, secret histories, and the promise…
Level B2MysteryDetectives, Inc.: A Mystery Story for BoysDive into a gripping mystery where keen observation and loyal canine companions unlock secrets and solve crimes, revealing the powerful bond between a blind man and his remarkable…
Level B2AdventureDesk and Debit; or, The Catastrophes of a ClerkA determined young clerk sets out for Chicago to uncover the truth about his missing mother, navigating treacherous family secrets and facing moral challenges in the bustling city…
Level B2AdventureDerrick Sterling: A Story of the MinesIn a grim mining village, Derrick Sterling faces the harsh, dust-choked life of a breaker boy to support his struggling family after his father's death.