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 B2MysteryAunt Jane's Nieces at WorkWhen Kenneth plunges into a tough political battle against a corrupt incumbent, his determined cousins—Patsy, Louise, and Beth—join forces to uncover secrets and fight back, naviga…
Level B2MysteryAunt Jane's Nieces at MillvilleWhen Uncle John’s farm becomes the center of curious happenings, his lively niece Patsy and her companions step in to unravel a deepening mystery, blending sharp wit and spirited a…
Level B2AdventureAunt Jane's Nieces and Uncle JohnA determined young girl defies cruelty to rescue a mistreated puppy, sparking a charming adventure filled with courage, family warmth, and unexpected challenges.
Level B2AdventureAunt Jane's Nieces AbroadWhen Uncle John announces a trip to Europe—with spirited Patsy in tow—the Doyle family embarks on an adventurous journey through Italy, where ancient landscapes and modern dangers…
Level B2Children'sAunt Jane's NiecesA struggling family receives a surprising invitation from wealthy Aunt Jane, whose failing health and mysterious estate promise both opportunity and intrigue.
Level B2Children'sAunt Harding's Keepsakes: Or, The Two BiblesTwo sisters eagerly await a meaningful parting gift from their beloved aunt, who prepares to leave for India.
Level B2AdventureAunt Hannah and SethIn bustling New York, a determined boy with a loyal white dog faces life's challenges with courage and heart.
Level A2PoetryAunt Friendly's Picture Book.: Containing Thirty-six Pages of Pictures Printed in Colours by KronheimDelight in vivid, colorful tales where clever pigs outwit a hungry wolf and a resourceful cat in boots transforms the fortunes of his poor master through wit and charm.
Level B1Children'sAunt Fanny's Story-Book for Little Boys and GirlsSeven grandchildren gather at Grandma’s Christmas party, where laughter, surprises, and warm family moments fill the festive air.
Level B2Children'sAunt Amy; or, How Minnie Brown learned to be a SunbeamYoung Minnie Brown eagerly awaits a visit from her beloved Aunt Amy, whose arrival promises warmth and joy in the little town of Rosedale.
Level A2PoetryAunt Affable's Story of Old Mother Bantry and Her CatOld Mother Bantry’s mischievous cat, Grip, causes playful chaos from stealing fish to unexpected adventures, until a mysterious disappearance and return reveal a tale of loyalty an…
Level B2Children'sAunt 'Liza's Hero, and Other StoriesIn a sleepy Indiana village, Aunt 'Liza—kind-hearted despite hardship—shares tales of her brave son Mac, a forgotten war hero, as neighborhood boys embark on lively adventures with…
Level B1Children'sAudreyA lively little girl, Audrey navigates the challenges of growing up in a dusty old house under the watchful eye of her stern yet caring Aunt Cordelia.
Level B2AdventureAt the fall of Montreal; or, A soldier boy's final victoryTwo young soldiers, cousins David and Henry Morris, navigate the tense frontier as the English push to reclaim French-held forts and territory in North America.
Level B2AdventureAt the back of the worldDrawn by an irresistible passion for the sea, a determined fourteen-year-old boy leaves school and home to pursue a life on the ocean, facing harsh lessons and the tough realities…
PoetryAt the SeasideDiscover the charms of coastal life through vivid, rhythmic poetry that captures the beauty and wonder of the seaside, inviting readers to explore its sights, sounds, and moods in…
Level C1AdventureAt the Point of the Bayonet: A Tale of the Mahratta WarAmidst the turbulent Mahratta War, Major Lindsay struggles to maintain order in a wild Indian district while British forces face mismanagement and fierce resistance.
Level B2MysteryAt the Black RocksA timid boy battles rising currents after his small boat capsizes near the ominous Black Rocks, prompting a daring rescue mission led by a bold leader and his crew aboard the Great…
Level B2FantasyAt the Back of the North WindA young boy named Diamond lives in a chilly hay-loft, where the restless north wind whispers secrets just beyond the walls.
Level B1Children'sAt the Back of the North WindA young boy named Diamond discovers a mysterious window into the North Wind behind his bed, leading to a magical friendship where the wind promises to bring unexpected adventures b…
Level B2AdventureAt Whispering Pine LodgeFour adventurous boys venture deep into the wild Adirondacks, building a shelter and fishing in untamed streams, facing challenges and mysteries in a remote wilderness where few da…
Level B2Children'sAt Boarding School with the Tucker TwinsA fifteen-year-old girl faces the bittersweet challenge of leaving home for boarding school, navigating early farewells, new routines, and the comfort of cherished memories.
Level C1AdventureAt AgincourtAmidst the bitter feud ravaging France, a noble English household prepares to join the fray, bringing skilled archers and knights to a land torn by civil war.
Level B2AdventureAt Aboukir and Acre: A Story of Napoleon's Invasion of EgyptAs Napoleon's French fleet threatens Egypt, two young allies stand amid ancient forts and shifting loyalties, witnessing the clash of empires where naval power and desert cavalry c…
Level B2AdventureAsiatic Breezes; Or, Students on The WingYoung navigators embark on a daring Mediterranean voyage, facing storms, secret enemies, and thrilling battles near Cyprus.
Level B2FantasyAs the Goose FliesWhen Ellen discovers a hidden door behind the nursery bookcase, she steps into a magical world where a curious house stands on giant bird legs and a white gander waits.
Level B2Children'sAs many as touched HimIn a quiet countryside, young Ellen longs for a letter that might change her life, while a mysterious stranger arrives bearing an invitation to a curious gathering—an encounter tha…
Level B2RomanceAs We Sweep Through The DeepIn a time of pride and hardship, Jack Mackenzie sails away from England, leaving his family to face mounting debts and fading fortunes at the grand Grantley Hall.
Level B1Children'sArthur's inheritanceFifteen-year-old Arthur Murray faces a family transformed by loss and financial strain, determined to support them by leaving school to work as a cashier in a bustling London empor…
Level B2Children'sArthur Hamilton, and His DogA boy’s joyful play with his clever dog contrasts with his mother’s heavy heart as she faces poverty and the painful decision to send him away for a better future.
Level B2Children'sArthur GlynAs a gloomy Christmas dampens the village spirit, young curate Arthur Glyn quietly shoulders the weight of his family's troubled past and uncertain future, seeking hope amid hardsh…
Level C1AdventureArthur Brown, The Young CaptainA young man, rescued from death by the sea captain who once owed a debt to his late father, embarks on a journey of adventure and self-discovery amid the turbulent rise of American…
PoetryArtful AnticksWhimsical poems and playful fables bring to life a cast of cunning animals and fanciful creatures, weaving humor and charm through their artful antics and woodland adventures.
Level B2AdventureAround the World in Ten DaysFour young inventors embark on a daring air race around the equator, piloting their revolutionary plane, the Sky-Bird II, as they face thrilling challenges and push the limits of e…
Level B2Children'sAround the EndA ragtag group of eager football players assembles for their first scrimmage under Coach Payson's watchful eye, as new talent and old hopes collide on the Yardley gridiron.
Level B2AdventureArmy Boys on the Firing Line; or, Holding Back the German DriveYoung American soldiers face a relentless German assault, testing their courage and skill in fierce close-quarters combat along the front lines.
Level B1AdventureArmy Boys on German Soil: Our Doughboys Quelling the MobsAmerican soldiers patrol a tense German city where hostility simmers beneath the surface, and threats escalate from uneasy glances to deadly gunfire.
Level B1AdventureArmy Boys marching into GermanyAmidst relentless German assaults, a small band of American soldiers fiercely holds their ground, preparing for a desperate bayonet charge that will decide their fate in a brutal,…
Level B2AdventureArmy Boys in France; or, From Training Camp to TrenchesAs war looms over America, a group of friends grapple with the reality of unpreparedness and the call to arms, facing the daunting challenge of transforming raw recruits into soldi…
Level C1AdventureArctic AdventuresEmbark on a daring voyage aboard the Hardy Norseman to the Arctic's icy frontiers, where a young adventurer seeks his lost brother amid treacherous seas, fierce wildlife, and gripp…
Level B2Children'sArchie's MistakeIn a prosperous cotton mill, young Archie Fairfax struggles to accept Stephen Bennett, a ragged new worker met with suspicion and hostility.
Level B2AdventureArchibald Hughson: An Arctic StoryA determined young lad from Shetland defies his family's warnings to stow away on a Greenland whaler, chasing the thrilling and perilous life of the Arctic seas.
Level B2HistoricalArchag, the Little ArmenianA young Armenian boy navigates life at a missionary school amid the backdrop of his people's harrowing struggles during and after the Great War.
Level B2Children'sApples, Ripe and Rosy, Sir: And Other Stories for Boys and GirlsAs a fierce March snowstorm blankets the city, an old Irish apple vendor struggles to protect her precious apples and peanuts, hoping the playful schoolchildren will still find a m…
Level C1AdventureAntony Waymouth; Or, The Gentlemen AdventurersIn an age of exploration under Queen Elizabeth’s reign, two young gentlemen reunite in Plymouth, sparking tales of daring sea voyages and the thrilling promise of treasure and adve…
Level B2AdventureAnother year with Denise and Ned ToodlesAmid the gentle whispers of spring, Denise and her loyal pony Ned Toodles share quiet moments filled with nature’s magic and the promise of new adventures.
FantasyAnother Brownie BookTiny Brownies embark on whimsical adventures from building snowmen and racing yachts to exploring orchards and celebrating holidays, inviting readers into a magical world filled wi…
Level C1RomanceAnnie o' the Banks o' DeeIn the serene setting of Bilberry Hall by the Dee River, young Annie Lane navigates the tender complexities of youth and love, caught between the ardent affections of two suitors a…