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 C1AdventureCaptain Mugford: Our Salt and Fresh Water TutorsA young boy's journey to a wild Cornish cape opens a world of untamed seas, rugged landscapes, and the fierce beauty of nature before civilization tames it.
Level B2AdventureCaptain KodakWhen a runaway circus elephant causes chaos in Hazenfield, young Allan Hartel’s fascination with photography is sparked by a missed chance to capture the moment.
Level B2AdventureCaptain JuneA spirited boy embarks on an unforgettable summer in Japan, where bustling streets and enchanting sights awaken his imagination and bring fairy tales to life.
Level B2AdventureCaptain John's Adventures; or, The Story of a Fatherless BoyA young boy loses his fisherman father to a fierce storm and, with his grieving mother and siblings, moves to a nearby town to start anew.
Level B2Children'sCaptain JanuaryA devoted lighthouse keeper raises a bright, spirited girl on a rocky Maine island, teaching her only from the Bible and Shakespeare.
Level B1HistoricalCaptain HoraceYoung Horace dreams of adventure and soldiering, while his sister Grace imagines angelic harps under starry Indiana skies.
Level B2AdventureCaptain ChubIn a thrilling final baseball game tied at three, the Crimson captain and pitcher face intense pressure as the Blue team threatens to take the lead.
Level B2AdventureCaptain Chap; or, The Rolling StonesThree adventurous boys seize the chance of a lifetime: a daring two-day tugboat journey to rescue a stranded steamer on a bustling river.
Level C1AdventureCaptain Carey; or, Fighting the Indians at Pine RidgeLieutenant Kit Carey, a fearless frontier soldier, is tasked with escorting Captain Foshay’s daughter through dangerous Indian territory.
Level B2Children'sCaps and Capers: A Story of Boarding-School LifeA devoted father, mourning his wife’s loss, faces the heartbreaking decision to send his young daughter to a boarding school while he travels abroad.
Level B2AdventureCanoemates: A Story of the Florida Reef and EvergladesA determined young sailor trapped by poverty in a tropical paradise dreams of adventure beyond the Florida reefs and Everglades.
Level B2AdventureCanoe Mates in Canada; Or, Three Boys Afloat on the SaskatchewanThree boys navigate the wild Saskatchewan River in a frail bullboat, facing fierce storms and treacherous rapids in a vast, untamed Canadian wilderness where danger and adventure l…
Level B2AdventureCanoe Boys and Campfires; Or, Adventures on Winding WatersThree adventurous boys reunite at a boathouse by the Susquehanna River, ready to embark on thrilling canoe escapades and unravel mysteries along winding waters.
Level C1AdventureCanadian Crusoes: A Tale of the Rice Lake PlainsStranded in the vast, untamed backwoods of Canada, young settlers must rely on nature’s hidden resources to survive the harsh wilderness and find their way home.
Level B2AdventureCampmates: A Story of the PlainsA weary journey on a slow, rain-soaked train sets the stage for a rugged adventure across the treacherous plains, where natural dangers and the struggles of early rail travel test…
Level B2AdventureCamping on the St. Lawrence; Or, On the Trail of the Early DiscoverersFollow a group of young adventurers as they prepare to camp along the majestic St.
Level B2Children'sCampfire Girls' Outing; Or, Ethel Hollister's Second Summer in CampEthel Hollister navigates her second summer at camp, balancing her mother’s high society ambitions with the rugged charm of Camp Fire life.
Level B2AdventureCampfire Girls' Lake Camp; or, Searching for New AdventuresA lively group of Camp Fire Girls gathers at their lakeside camp, blending friendship, mystery, and the promise of new adventures amid the beauty of Fern Hollow and Butter Creek.
Level C1AdventureCampfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains; or, A Christmas Success against OddsAmidst the snowy Allegheny Mountains, a spirited group of Camp Fire Girls blend adventure with courage, mastering military drills and nursing skills as they prepare to face the cha…
Level B2AdventureCampfire Girls at Twin Lakes; Or, The Quest of a Summer VacationA spirited group of Camp Fire Girls gathers for a summer adventure at Twin Lakes, where friendship, mysteries, and unexpected challenges await amidst the beauty of Fern Hollow.
Level B2AdventureCamp-fire and WigwamIn a rugged Missouri settlement, young Jack Carleton encounters tales of danger, friendship, and survival as he learns of Deerfoot, a mysterious Indian who once saved his father’s…
Level C1AdventureCamp and Trail: A Story of the Maine WoodsTwo young hunters glide silently over a moonlit pond in northern Maine, using a special lantern to lure deer in a thrilling night adventure that celebrates respect for wildlife and…
Level B2AdventureCamp Venture: A Story of the Virginia MountainsA group of sturdy boys and their doctor companion camp high in the Virginia mountains, facing the challenges of rugged terrain and thin air.
Level B2AdventureCamp Mates in Michigan; or, with Pack and Paddle in the Pine WoodsThree boys camping in the Michigan wilderness face an unexpected visitor when a huge lynx tries to steal their ham, sparking a thrilling hunt through the pine woods armed with guns…
Level B2AdventureCamp Lenape on the Long TrailAt Camp Lenape, privileged newcomer Dirk clashes with rugged camper Brick, who resents carrying Dirk’s heavy luggage and his delicate ways.
Level B2Children'sCaleb in the CountryA pale, sickly boy spends summer with his grandmother in the rocky countryside, discovering the wonders of nature through simple lessons and reflections—like seeing a mysterious "b…
Level C1AdventureCab and Caboose: The Story of a Railroad BoyA determined boy races to claim the prestigious Railroad Cup, sparking fierce rivalry and challenges in the bustling railroad town of Euston.
Level B2Children'sBébée; Or, Two Little Wooden ShoesAt sixteen, Bébée, a flower-touched girl raised by humble gardeners near Brussels, faces the joys and hardships of life in a blossoming countryside.
Level C1Children'sBypaths in Dixie: Folk Tales of the SouthDelve into enchanting Southern folk tales told through the eyes of a wise, gentle African nursery caretaker, where cunning animals and whispered superstitions shape childhood lesso…
Level B1PoetryBye-a Baby Bunting, and Other RhymesDiscover a charming collection of nursery rhymes and playful verses that bring joy and rhythm to childhood moments, capturing the simple wonders of early life with warmth and whims…
Level B2Children'sBy the RoadsideA little girl named Marjorie wrestles with the call to responsibility and kindness as a mysterious Dream urges her to wake up, face her work, and help others along the way.
Level B2AdventureBy Sheer Pluck: A Tale of the Ashanti WarAmid schoolyard cricket matches and the keen eyes of a nature lover, a young boy's adventure begins to unfold, blending youthful sportsmanship with the challenges and unexpected tr…
Level B2AdventureBy Right of Conquest; Or, With Cortez in MexicoA daring English captain and his son navigate the perilous seas in the early 1500s, caught between emerging trade ambitions and the mighty Spanish conquest of Mexico.
Level B2AdventureBy Pike and Dyke: a Tale of the Rise of the Dutch RepublicIn a world torn by religious persecution and war, a young hero grows amidst the fierce struggle of the Dutch people for freedom and faith against the mighty Spanish empire, where c…
Level B2Children'sBy Honour Bound: A School Story for GirlsA spirited schoolgirl’s adventure begins as she navigates bustling city streets and a grand department store, where a shocking act of shoplifting tests her sense of justice and hon…
Level C1AdventureBy England's Aid; or, the Freeing of the Netherlands (1585-1604)As England transitions from cautious supporter to active ally, witness the dramatic shift in a fierce struggle for Dutch independence against Spain’s might, with daring battles at…
Level B2AdventureBy Conduct and Courage: A Story of the Days of NelsonAn orphaned boy with a mysterious past finds refuge with a kind fisherman in a bleak village, where childhood innocence clashes with harsh realities, setting the stage for a tale o…
Level C1PoetryBuzz a Buzz; Or, The BeesDiscover the bustling world of bees through witty verses and vivid illustrations that reveal the hive’s secret life, from vigilant sentinels to the queen’s grand fete, blending hum…
Level B2PoetryButtercup Gold, and Other StoriesStep into a world where the Little New Year and Mother Nature herself bring blessings, kindness, and the magic of changing seasons to life through heartfelt tales and gentle poems…
Level B1FantasyBusy BrowniesWhen the Fairy Queen’s palace is destroyed by a storm, the industrious Brownies spring into action, working tirelessly through the night to build a grand new home.
Level B2Children'sBusy Ben and Idle IsaacIn a charming village, diligent Busy Ben thrives through hard work and learning, while Idle Isaac’s laziness leads him to struggle.
Level B2MysteryBurton of the Flying CorpsA daring young pilot navigates treacherous missions behind enemy lines, from chasing spies in Ostend to uncovering secrets in French chateaus, all while testing groundbreaking expl…
Level B2AdventureBurr JuniorAt a strict boarding school housed in an ancient manor, a new boy named Frank Burr navigates harsh lessons, rivalries, and the shadow of his father's heroic death in India—where co…
Level B2Children'sBurnham BreakerIn the heart of a bustling coal town, young boys endure the harsh monotony of the Burnham Breaker's screen-room, dreaming of freedom beyond the dust and noise.
Level B2AdventureBunyip Land: A Story of Adventure in New GuineaA determined sixteen-year-old sets out from home in New Guinea to rescue his missing father, believed to be held captive by native tribes.
Level C1Children'sBunyan's Pilgrim's Progress: In Words of One SyllableA man burdened by a heavy load and fearful of his fate embarks on a journey to escape destruction and find eternal peace.
Level A2Children'sBunny Rabbit's DiaryFollow Bunny Rabbit as he fills a handmade diary with playful adventures alongside his brothers and woodland friends, capturing the joys and mishaps of life in the forest through h…
Level A2AdventureBunny Brown and his sister Sue on the rolling oceanTwo imaginative siblings transform their backyard into a bustling grocery store, turning pebbles, shells, and sand into treasures as they playfully slip into the roles of shopkeepe…