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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PoetryBoys and Girls: The Verses of James W. FoleyStep into a world of heartfelt verses capturing childhood adventures, tender moments, and timeless stories filled with warmth and imagination.
Level C1Children'sBoys and Girls from ThackerayA lonely twelve-year-old boy named Henry Esmond finds unexpected kindness and friendship upon the arrival of the new lord and lady at Castlewood, setting the stage for a tale of ch…
Level B2Children'sBoys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building, Volume I (of 17): Fun and Thought for Little FolkNurture young minds with an engaging mix of jingles, stories, and play exercises designed to spark curiosity and build character from infancy through early childhood.
Level C1Children'sBoys and Girls Bookshelf (Vol 2 of 17): Folk-Lore, Fables, And Fairy TalesStep into a magical realm where fairy tales, fables, and wonder stories bring to life enchanted forests, brave heroes, and timeless lessons of courage and kindness.
Level B2Children'sBoyhood in Norway: Stories of Boy-Life in the Land of the Midnight SunIn a Norwegian valley divided by rival boyhood factions, youthful leaders wage imaginative battles that blur the line between play and real conflict.
Level B2HistoricalBoycotted, and Other StoriesA student at Draven’s school faces isolation and confusion after his close friend Browne is suddenly expelled, casting a shadow over their once lively term.
Level C1Children'sBoy: A SketchA young boy navigates a troubled childhood marked by his father’s drunken antics and the weight of a noble lineage gone awry.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts: Tenderfoot Squad; or, Camping at Raccoon LodgeA group of eager Boy Scouts embarks on a week-long camping adventure at Raccoon Bluff, where seasoned leaders mentor new recruits in survival skills, courage, and camaraderie amids…
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts with Joffre; Or, In the Trenches in BelgiumThree young Boy Scouts on motorcycles face sabotage and mechanical failure as they speed toward a secret mission, testing their courage and friendship in a tense adventure that lea…
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts on the TrailA group of Boy Scouts at camp face unexpected restrictions on their swimming grounds after a thrilling and dubious shark sighting stirs excitement and skepticism.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts on the Open Plains; Or, The Round-Up Not OrderedFour Boy Scouts from New York set out across rugged Nevada mountains toward their uncles' cattle ranch, eager to explore the vast open plains and ancient cliff dwellings.
Level B2MysteryBoy Scouts on the Great Divide; Or, The Ending of the TrailFour Boy Scouts on a wilderness mission await mysterious instructions deep in the Wyoming mountains when a stranger with a secretive past arrives at their campfire, setting the sta…
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts on a Long Hike; Or, To the Rescue in the Black Water SwampsA determined Boy Scout patrol embarks on a daring 100-mile hike, showcasing their skills in signaling, woodcraft, and courage as they face challenges in the wild Indiana swamps.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts on Motorcycles; Or, With the Flying SquadronFour Boy Scouts find themselves stranded in a mysterious Chinese town, waiting for secret instructions from the U.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts on Hudson Bay; Or, The Disappearing FleetFive Boy Scouts and their guides brave the wild, frozen North on a daring expedition to reach the mysterious Hudson Bay, facing endless wilderness, grueling portages, and the chall…
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts of the Air on Lost IslandFour adventurous boys set out from their lakeside town, armed with fishing gear and boundless enthusiasm, ready to explore hidden waters and tackle the challenges of the wilderness…
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts in the Philippines; Or, The Key to the Treaty BoxFour Boy Scouts journey to the Philippines aboard a U.
Level B1AdventureBoy Scouts in the Northwest; Or, Fighting Forest FiresHigh in the Northwest wilderness, three Boy Scouts set up a secret camp while searching for their missing friends amid looming forest fires.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts in the North Sea; Or, the Mystery of "U-13"Four resourceful Boy Scouts navigate a flooded war zone between German and neutral lands, caught in a dangerous mission involving secret passages and mysterious disappearances.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts in the North Sea; Or, The Mystery of a SubBoy Scouts recently entangled in a daring manhunt now find themselves trapped between flooded lands and enemy lines as they navigate a mysterious mission in war-torn Europe.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts in the Coal Caverns; Or, The Light in Tunnel SixFour skilled Boy Scouts are tasked with a mysterious mission to find two missing boys last seen working in an abandoned coal mine, unraveling secrets hidden deep within the dark tu…
Level B2MysteryBoy Scouts in the Canal Zone; Or, The Plot Against Uncle SamA group of adventurous Boy Scouts join a Secret Service lieutenant on a covert mission to protect the Panama Canal from a mysterious plot threatening its massive dam.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts in an Airship; Or, The Warning from the SkyBoy Scouts Ned, Jimmie, and Sam prepare for a daring aeroplane mission to South America, shadowed by mysterious spies and secret dangers.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts in a Submarine; Or, Searching an Ocean FloorA troop of adventurous Boy Scouts prepares for a daring mission beneath the ocean's surface, navigating secret waters with a mysterious Captain Moore and testing their skills in a…
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts in Southern Waters; Or, Spaniard's Treasure ChestFour resourceful Boy Scouts navigate thick fog and towering waves aboard the sturdy motor boat Fortuna, embarking on a daring voyage from Chicago to the mysterious southern waters…
Level B2MysteryBoy Scouts in Northern Wilds; Or, The Signal from the HillsFour Boy Scouts embark on a daring mission deep into the Canadian wilderness, facing biting insects, harsh weather, and untamed nature as they navigate Moose River and uncover myst…
Level B2MysteryBoy Scouts in Mexico; Or, On Guard with Uncle SamA group of resourceful Boy Scouts plans a daring expedition down the Rio Grande, building their own houseboat to navigate the river and stand guard with Uncle Sam amid border tensi…
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts in California; or, The Flag on the CliffIn the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains, a group of Boy Scouts embarks on a thrilling summer adventure filled with hunting, camping, and the challenges of wilderness survival.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts Mysterious Signal; Or, Perils of the Black Bear PatrolTrapped in a war-torn city, four Boy Scouts face capture by a German officer determined to conscript one of them dressed as a Russian Cossack.
Level A2Children'sBow-Wow and Mew-MewA mischievous young dog and cat, Bow-Wow and Mew-Mew, struggle to get along in a bustling farmhouse filled with noisy animals and little kindness.
Level B2AdventureBound to get thereYoung adventurers navigate challenges and pursue their dreams with grit and determination in a world where fair play and hard work pave the way to success.
Level B2Children'sBound to Succeed; or, Mail Order Frank's ChancesDetermined to overcome his family’s lost fortune and a ruthless adversary, young Frank sets out from his small town to forge a new path through hard work and clever resolve.
Level B2HistoricalBound to Rise; Or, Up the LadderA poor farming family faces hardship when their only cow falls ill, threatening their meager livelihood.
Level B2Children'sBouncing BetIn a quiet village, an unlikely friendship blossoms between a curious boy fascinated by magic and a wheelchair-bound gentleman with a mysterious past.
Level C1AdventureBoth Sides the Border: A Tale of Hotspur and GlendowerAmid fierce border warfare and shifting alliances, a young lad keeps watch over a rugged fortalice as perilous raids threaten his family’s hold.
Level B2Children'sBosom Friends: A Seaside StoryAmid the bustling chaos of a crowded railway station, two young girls from very different worlds meet, sparking a seaside adventure filled with curiosity, friendship, and the charm…
Level B2RomanceBorrowed feathersLeft to manage a large, lonely house with only a deaf servant for company, spirited Annette’s world brightens when her godmother arrives unexpectedly, promising companionship and s…
Level C1AdventureBorn to Wander: A Boy's Book of Nomadic AdventuresIn a lush, untamed garden where nature thrives in harmony, a young girl named Effie discovers the delicate beauty and hidden adventures of the wild flora and fauna around Grayling…
Level B2AdventureBorn to Good Luck; or The Boy Who Succeeded.A determined boy, burdened with chores and mistreated by his employer's son, refuses to submit and fights back, igniting a fierce struggle to break free from hardship and forge his…
Level B2AdventureBoris the Bear-HunterIn a remote northern forest, a fearless young hunter faces his greatest challenge: tracking down two marauding bears threatening his village's harvest.
Children'sBook of 50 PicturesDiscover a charming collection of 50 vivid pictures featuring animals, playful scenes, and nature’s wonders, designed to spark curiosity and delight young readers.
Level B2AdventureBonnie Prince Fetlar: The Story of a Pony and His FriendsA black Shetland pony finds himself in a remote wilderness, puzzled by his sudden relocation and guarded by a pale-eyed city boy with a gentle heart.
Level B2AdventureBonnie Prince Charlie : a Tale of Fontenoy and CullodenAmid the turmoil of 18th-century Scotland, a prodigal brother returns with secrets and a mysterious child, sparking tales of battles, loyalty, and daring adventures from Fontenoy t…
Level C1Children'sBonnie MayA captivating child with a mischievous air quietly claims a theater box, drawing the attention of a curious gentleman.
Level B2AdventureBomba the jungle boy on Jaguar IslandCaught in a fierce jungle storm, Bomba, the fearless jungle boy, must outwit deadly headhunters to protect his ailing friend from capture and death on Jaguar Island.
Level B2AdventureBomba the jungle boy at the giant cataractA jungle boy named Bomba navigates a perilous wilderness filled with deadly animals and ruthless headhunters while seeking answers about his past.
Level B2AdventureBomba the jungle boyIn the heart of a vast jungle, a boy named Bomba navigates dangers both natural and mysterious, drawn by the eerie sound of a strange weapon that may connect him to a hidden past.
Level B2Children'sBolax, Imp or Angel—Which?Two siblings invite imaginary angels and saints into their home, blending childlike wonder with heartfelt prayers and moral lessons.