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.
- 6,041
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Level A2AdventureDave Darrin and the German Submarines: Or, Making a Clean-up of the Hun Sea MonstersCaught in deadly cat-and-mouse naval battles, Dave Darrin hunts German submarines threatening the seas during wartime.
Level B2AdventureDave Darrin After the Mine Layers; Or, Hitting the Enemy a Hard Naval BlowTwo destroyer commanders embark on a perilous naval mission off the Irish coast, navigating hidden mines and enemy threats in a tense World War I wartime cruise.
Level C1AdventureDastral of the Flying CorpsIn the midst of World War I’s fierce battles, a young English pilot named Dastral pushes the limits of daring aerial combat to earn his wings and face the deadly mastery of the ski…
Level B2AdventureDarry the Life Saver; Or, The Heroes of the CoastA fierce hurricane batters a battered brigantine, leaving young cabin boy Darry clinging to survival alongside his loyal captain.
Level B2Children'sDaniel's YouthFollow the story of Daniel and three schoolboys as they learn the power of true purpose—beyond mere plans or words—to live with faith, diligence, and integrity despite challenges a…
Level C1AdventureDangerous deedsAmid Washington’s morning fog, a daring young aviator clings to the edge of adventure, haunted by a troubled past and driven by a mysterious black handbag that could unlock his for…
Level B1Children'sDanger Cliff, and other storiesA wealthy gentleman entrusts his family's safety to a cautious coachman who knows the peril of Danger Cliff, a treacherous chasm that tempts those who underestimate it.
Level B2AdventureDanforth Plays the Game: Stories for Boys Little and BigA strikingly handsome boy, new to Barnstead Academy, faces teasing and doubt as he joins the football team’s awkward squad, determined to prove his skill and rise above the jeers i…
Level B2Children'sDandelion CottageFour neighborhood girls discover friendship and adventure around the quaint, dandelion-surrounded cottage behind the big stone church in Lakeville, where challenges and charm aboun…
Level B2MysteryDan, the NewsboyA determined newsboy struggles to support his ailing mother after his father's financial ruin and death, while harboring a fierce desire to find the man who betrayed his family.
Level C1Children'sDame Wonder's Picture Alphabet: Amusing Alphabet, Dame Wonder's Series.Explore a whimsical collection of beloved nursery rhymes, fairy tales, and playful stories designed to delight young readers while teaching the alphabet through charming pictures a…
Level B2PoetryDame Trot and Her CatDame Trot’s gentle cat surprises her by preparing tea, keeping the house spotless, and even teaching the dog to dance—but her fondness for fashionable dress leads to a charming, mi…
Level A2PoetryDame Duck's First Lecture on EducationFollow Dame Duck as she teaches her lively ducklings how to waddle, swim, and thrive in their new world, blending gentle guidance with charming lessons in this delightful poetic ta…
Level B2FantasyDaisy; or, The Fairy SpectaclesIn a lonely forest, a humble woodcutter searches for love but faces rejection—until a mysterious old woman leads him to Susan, a gentle girl with a tender heart, sparking a magical…
Level C1Children'sDaisy's Work: The Third CommandmentIn a bustling city street, Daisy, a delicate flower-girl with a refined air, sells bouquets while hiding a poignant secret of loss and loneliness.
Level C1RomanceDaisy in the FieldTorn between duty and heartbreak, a young woman struggles to focus on her studies as the harsh realities of war and love collide around her.
Level B2Children'sDaisyA lonely young bank clerk arrives at a boarding house, where a curious, willful child named Daisy unexpectedly takes a tender interest in him, stirring warmth and innocence in his…
Level C1Children'sDaisyA young girl’s joyful childhood is forever changed when her father’s accident sends her to live with a stern aunt in the mysterious southern woods, where she must find strength and…
Level B2Children'sDaddy's GirlIn a grand London home, eight-year-old Sibyl Ogilvie navigates the delicate tensions between her quarreling parents with innocent charm and a child’s unique faith, discovering what…
Level B2HistoricalDaddy Jake the Runaway, and Short Stories Told after DarkIn 1863 Georgia, trusted carriage-driver Daddy Jake shocks a plantation by running away after a fierce clash with a new overseer.
Level C1PoetryDaddy Do-Funny's Wisdom JinglesAn aging ex-slave known as Daddy Do-Funny shares his sharp, playful wisdom and vivid stories from plantation life, captivating children and neighbors alike with his unique blend of…
Level B2Children'sDab Kinzer: A Story of a Growing BoyGrowing fast but fitting nowhere, Dab Kinzer struggles to keep up with his bustling family and the challenges of adolescence on their tight-knit farm.
Level C1AdventureCædwalla; or, The Saxons in the Isle of Wight: A TaleAmidst the turbulent seventh-century Isle of Wight, a fierce Saxon warrior named Cædwalla rises, navigating battles, faith, and shifting loyalties in a land where law and culture b…
Level B2AdventureCutlass and CudgelA young midshipman aboard His Majesty’s cutter patrols a misty, treacherous coast to uncover the secrets of elusive smugglers.
Level B2AdventureCurly LocksA sweet-hearted girl named Curly Locks, with golden ringlets and her beloved lamb Snow Drop, embarks on joyful adventures from city fêtes to countryside picnics, discovering friend…
Level A2PoetryCurious CreaturesWhimsical poems bring animals to life, from a talented giraffe musician to mischievous dogs and adventurous pigs, capturing their playful antics and charming personalities in a del…
Level C1AdventureCupid of CampionTwo unlikely companions—a restless butcher's boy and a whimsical youth in a sailor suit—join forces in a small Iowa town, seeking fun and adventure on the river and beyond, driven…
Level B2Children'sCuore (Heart): An Italian Schoolboy's JournalFollow a young Italian schoolboy’s heartfelt journal as he navigates a year filled with lessons, friendships, and the bittersweet moments of growing up in a bustling schoolhouse al…
Level A2Children'sCumberland Island: Junior Ranger Program Activity Guide for Ages 5-7Join Junior the Gopher Tortoise on an exciting adventure through Cumberland Island, discovering its plants, animals, and history while completing fun activities that teach you how…
Level B2Children'sCulm Rock: The Story of a Year: What it Brought and What it TaughtOn the rugged, storm-battered Culm Rock, a mysterious old stone house stands as a beacon to sailors and home to a sorrowful, reclusive master.
Level B1AdventureCrusoes of the Frozen NorthYoung Aralia and Pansy eagerly await their adventurous uncle’s return from a daring voyage to the frozen North, where mysteries and thrilling tales await.
Level B2AdventureCrown and Sceptre: A West Country StoryA spirited West Country lad navigates moors, lakes, and deer herds, uncovering the wild beauty and hidden dangers of his rugged homeland.
Level B2AdventureCrown and Anchor: Under the Pen'antA boy new to London becomes fascinated by a quirky old sea captain whose rugged appearance and mysterious air set him apart from the city's polished elite.
Level B2AdventureCrowded Out o' Crofield; or, The Boy who made his WayA determined blacksmith's boy, feeling "crowded out" of his small village, sets his sights on the city where he hopes to carve out a surprising and profitable future against all od…
Level B1MysteryCrossed Trails in Mexico: Mexican Mystery Stories #3A spirited group of friends embarks on a thrilling road trip from Texas to Mexico, where mysterious adventures await amid old silver mines, hidden dangers, and a boy caught between…
Level B2FantasyCross Purposes and The ShadowsA curious queen invites mortals to her whimsical Fairyland, where a girl named Alice embarks on a magical journey guided by a charming fairy.
Level B2AdventureCrofton ChumsAt Crofton Academy, friendships, school spirit, and youthful adventures come alive as Gil and his chums return for another year filled with football, camaraderie, and the charm of…
Level B2AdventureCringle and cross-treeA young man with a thirst for adventure leaves behind his backwoods life and uncertain family past to pursue a daring voyage at sea.
Level B2Children'sCricket at the SeashoreAt Marbury by the sea, Cricket and her siblings embark on a summer adventure filled with swimming lessons, treasure hunts for buried money-bags, and endless seaside fun, where dete…
Level B2Children'sCricketIn a lively summer at Kayuna, a bustling country home, spirited Cricket navigates schooldays, friendships, and family chaos with boundless energy and charm.
PoetryCradle SongsDelight in a collection of gentle, whimsical lullabies and poems that capture the tender moments of childhood, from playful birds to sleepy lullabies, inviting young readers into a…
Level C1AdventureCowmen and Rustlers: A Story of the Wyoming Cattle RangesAmid the snowy Maine winter, spirited twins Fred and Jennie Whitney plan a daring 30-mile skate to the mysterious Wolf Glen, sparking adventure and suspense as their mother warns o…
Level B2AdventureCowboy Dave; Or, The Round-up at Rolling RiverDusty cowboys return from a grueling round-up, their spirits high but the future uncertain on the struggling Bar U ranch.
Level B2Children'sCoward or Hero?A young boy struggles with fear and the harsh disappointment of his soldier father who doubts his courage.
Level B2Children'sCousin Lucy's Conversations: By the Author of the Rollo BooksA young girl named Lucy turns her playful imagination into a make-believe schoolroom, where lessons, laughter, and sibling antics bring childhood adventures to life.
Level B2Children'sCousin Lucy at Study: By the Author of the Rollo BooksA young girl named Lucy receives a special slate and embarks on her first arithmetic lessons with her brother Royal, sparking sibling dynamics and the promise of a shared reward.
Level B2Children'sCousin Lucy at Play: By the Author of the Rollo BooksWhen illness confines Lucy and her brother Royal indoors, a special marble-colored box filled with books and toys becomes their treasure trove, offering comfort and amusement durin…
Level A2PoetryCousin Hatty's Hymns and Twilight StoriesGentle hymns and tender tales guide children through lessons of kindness, obedience, and gratitude, blending heartfelt prayers with simple stories that celebrate family, faith, and…