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
- books
Level B2Children'sCousin Becky's championsWhen a fiery boy defends a wounded terrier from his cousin's cruelty, family tensions flare in a modest home on Princess Street.
Level B2Children'sCourage: A story wherein every one comes to the conclusion that the Courage in question proved a courage worth havingA spirited little girl named Courage grows up under the care of a devoted father and kind caretaker, learning that true bravery is more than just a name—it's a quality worth having…
Level B2AdventureCourage, True Hearts: Sailing in Search of FortuneTwo brothers and their sister embrace the wild Scottish Highlands, where hunting, nature, and family bond their adventurous spirits.
Level C1HistoricalCountry Walks of a Naturalist with His ChildrenJoin a family’s springtime country walks where lively children explore moors, ponds, and woods, discovering birds, insects, plants, and more through curious eyes and gentle guidanc…
Level B2Children'sCountess KateTwo spirited girls navigate childhood with limited means and boundless imagination in a loving but modest home, dreaming of a better life while embracing the challenges of family a…
Level C1HistoricalCount Ulrich of Lindburg: A Tale of the Reformation in GermanyIn the shadow of the Reformation, Count Ulrich of Lindburg wrestles with faith and tradition as his son ventures to study under the controversial Martin Luther.
Level B2Children'sCorrieIn a city touched by moonlight, young Corrie, a frail child with paralysed legs, finds comfort in her brother Robin's tender stories of Christmas, angels, and the promise of a joyf…
Level B2Children'sCornelliA spirited girl named Cornelli faces the sting of unjust suspicion while navigating childhood's joys and trials beside a roaring mountain stream.
Level B2AdventureCormorant Crag: A Tale of the Smuggling DaysA spirited boy defies his strict doctor father to embrace a wild coastal life filled with cliff-climbing, fishing, and adventure.
Level B2FantasyCoppertop: The Queer Adventures of a Quaint ChildA lonely Australian girl named Coppertop longs for her parents far away in India, finding comfort in her imagination and cherished mementos as a wild storm rages outside.
Level B2AdventureContraband: A Tale of Modern SmugglersCaught in a fierce Newfoundland gale, Dare Stanley boards the S.
Level B2Children'sConscienceTwo boys plot a clever prank to embarrass a schoolmate, but their mother challenges them to choose kindness over revenge, revealing the power of conscience through a heartfelt tale…
Level B2AdventureConnor Magan's Luck and Other StoriesA spirited twelve-year-old boy, Connor Magan, navigates the wild Ohio River during a spring flood, living a life full of adventure and hope amid the bustling, rough-and-tumble worl…
Level B2AdventureConnecticut Boys in the Western Reserve: A Tale of the Moravian MassacreTwo young emigrants seek shelter from a storm at a closed tavern in the Western Reserve, only to encounter uneasy strangers and the shadow of recent violence.
Level B2Children'sConcerning SallyA serious young girl named Sally cares for her ailing mother while her father, a weary professor, faces pressing duties that may keep him late from home.
Level B2MysteryComrades on River and LakeAs graduation nears, a group of eager boys at Winton Hall discover unexpected gifts—four new canoes waiting to launch them into thrilling adventures on river and lake, testing thei…
Level B1AdventureComrades of the Saddle; Or, The Young Rough Riders of the PlainsTwo brothers, skilled riders and quick thinkers, face thrilling dangers on the Plains as they race against time, wild animals, and shadowy threats.
Level B2Children'sComical PeopleStep into a whimsical world where animals take on society’s roles, from literary lions to charming songbirds, as a young girl explores London's grand sights and the curious charact…
PoetryComic InsectsDelight in a whimsical journey through the curious lives of insects, where humor and poetry bring caterpillars, moths, snails, bees, beetles, and spiders to vivid, entertaining lif…
Level B2Children'sComfort Pease and her Gold RingA young girl treasures a gold ring and dollar given by her aunt, symbols of family and hope as she navigates schoolyard rivalries and the challenges of growing up.
Level A2Children'sCome Lasses and LadsJoin the lively May Day celebration where lads and lasses dance around the May-pole, accompanied by cheerful music and festive cheer in this charming picture book.
Level B2MysteryColonel Thorndyke's SecretA valuable diamond bracelet stolen from a Hindu temple brings danger and mystery to the Thorndyke family in 18th century England, where highwaymen roam and dark forces pursue a dea…
Level B2Children'sCole's Funny Picture Book No. 1Explore a vibrant world of riddles, games, and colorful pictures designed to delight children and entertain adults alike, while discovering fascinating insights about Australia’s r…
Level B2AdventureCole of Spyglass MountainFour adventurous boys test nature’s limits in a swampy city lot, led by the curious and determined Joshua Cole, whose sharp mind turns a simple slug into the center of a daring bet…
Level B1FantasyCoco Bolo: King of the Floating IslandsTwo sisters chase their shadows along a sunlit coast, hoping to reach the mysterious end where shadows vanish and legends of King Coco Bolo and strange creatures come to life.
Level B1AdventureClown, the Circus DogAs summer arrives, young Bertha eagerly awaits a real puppy promised to her after passing exams with honors.
Level C1Children'sCloverAs spring breathes new life into a small town, sisters Katy and Clover Carr embrace hope and joy while preparing for Katy's upcoming wedding to a naval officer, weaving family bond…
Level C1Children'sClotelle; Or, The Colored Heroine, a tale of the Southern States; Or, The President's DaughterIn the complex social world of the antebellum South, Agnes, a proud mulatto laundress, strives to raise her daughters as ladies amid the harsh realities of slavery and racial preju…
Level C1Children'sClotel; Or, The President's DaughterIn a society where slavery is law and identity is bound to ownership, a young woman stands at an auction block, embodying the painful legacy of mixed heritage and the brutal realit…
Level C1Children'sClintonIn a charming village nestled among green hills and sparkling streams, thirteen-year-old Clinton discovers the joys and challenges of country life, learning the value of hard work,…
Level B2Children'sClassic MythsJourney to the dazzling palace of the Sun-god with Phaeton, a boy determined to prove his divine heritage.
Level C1HistoricalClarissa DormerIn a West India plantation, a spoiled young heiress reigns with unchecked will, defying all order until a determined English governess arrives to tame her wild spirit and teach her…
Level B2Children'sClarice Egerton's life storyIn the grand halls of Egerton Highfield, family tensions rise as tragedy strikes young Clarice, shaking the Egerton household to its core.
Level B2Children'sClaribelA mysterious new girl named Claribel arrives at school, walking with a crutch and dressed in deep mourning.
Level B2Children'sClara Maynard; Or, The True and the False: A Tale of the TimesA young heiress and her retired naval officer father sail along England’s southern coast, navigating family tensions and suitors as they prepare for a life-changing journey.
Level B2Children'sCinderella; Or, The Little Glass Slipper, and Other StoriesA kind-hearted girl, mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters, dreams of attending the royal ball.
Level B1Children'sCinderella's princeIn a quiet village, young Ella Russell, nicknamed Cinderella, faces hardship and hope after her family’s fortune is lost.
Level C1Children'sCinderella in the South: Twenty-Five South African TalesExplore South African folklore through vivid tales that blend ancient ruins, local legends, and the clash of cultures, revealing secrets hidden beneath the veld and the mysteries o…
Level B1Children'sCinderellaA mistreated girl endures her cruel stepmother and stepsisters until her fairy godmother transforms a pumpkin and mice into a magical coach and servants, sending her to a royal bal…
Level B2Children'sCinderellaA kind-hearted girl endures cruel treatment from her stepmother and stepsisters, yet her gentle spirit shines through as she dreams of attending the prince’s grand ball, despite be…
Level B2Children'sCicely and Other StoriesIn a bustling dressmaking shop under winter's gray sky, young seamstress Cicely struggles with cold solitude and endless work, until a chance encounter with a kind-hearted visitor…
Level A2AdventureChunky, the Happy Hippo: His Many AdventuresDive into the muddy African river with Chunky, a joyful young hippo who navigates family life and river adventures, hiding from dangers while savoring the lush riverbed grass and d…
Level B2AdventureChums of the Camp FireFour adventurous boys bond over springtime frog hunting near their hometown, dreaming of bigger catches and hidden treasures.
Level B2AdventureChums in Dixie; or, The Strange Cruise of a MotorboatTwo young adventurers set out on a daring motorboat cruise through mysterious Florida swamps, where they encounter fierce locals and chase after a wild boy from a feared river trib…
Level B2Children'sChronicles of AvonleaIn a quiet village, Anne Shirley observes the slow, fifteen-year courtship of Ludovic Speed and Theodora Dix, blending gentle humor with heartfelt reflections on love, friendship,…
Level B2FantasyChristmas-Tree LandTwo children journey to a mysterious white castle nestled among endless fir trees in a high valley, where ancient roots and magical forests hint at secrets and adventures in a land…
Level B2Children'sChristmas-TideDiscover thoughtful guidance on choosing simple, durable toys that nurture creativity and self-activity in young children, with practical suggestions tailored to each stage from in…
Level B2Children'sChristmas, A Happy Time: A Tale, Calculated for the Amusement and Instruction of Young PersonsTwo sisters eagerly await their brothers’ return just before Christmas, navigating cold winds and dashed hopes with hopeful hearts and family warmth at Beech Grove.