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 B2Children'sAnne's terrible good nature, and other stories for childrenA little girl’s boundless kindness leads her to brighten a gloomy winter garden, but her good intentions meet unexpected reactions from her family.
Level B2HistoricalAnne's House of DreamsAnne Shirley, fresh from teaching and on the brink of marriage, returns to picturesque Avonlea where cherished friendships, the charm of old traditions, and the winds of modern cha…
Level B2HistoricalAnne of the IslandAs autumn ushers in change, Anne Shirley faces the bittersweet transition from childhood to adulthood, navigating friendships, farewells, and the uncertain promise of the future wh…
Level B2HistoricalAnne of AvonleaA spirited young teacher in idyllic Avonlea dreams of inspiring her students to greatness, but her peaceful world is disrupted by a gruff new neighbor whose odd habits and sharp te…
Level B2MysteryAnnabel: A Novel for Young FolksA resourceful boy named Will navigates a world of changing fortunes and childhood troubles, from caring for a broken doll to mingling with spirited children on grand estate grounds…
Level B2Children'sAnn Crosses a Secret Trail: Ann Sterling Series #4Amid the stunning mountain scenery of Sterling Heights, Ann navigates family tensions and hidden resentments when her demanding aunt arrives unexpectedly, threatening the peace of…
Level B2Children'sAnimal HeroesIn a gritty alley, a clever stray cat fights to survive and protect her family amidst rival cats and scarce food.
Level A2Children'sAnimal Chums: True Tales about Four-footed FriendsDiscover heartwarming stories of children and their extraordinary animal friends, from a Christmas goose that becomes a beloved pet to a clever parrot’s daring escape, inviting you…
Level B1PoetryAnimal Children: The Friends of the Forest and the PlainDiscover a charming world where playful animal children of the forest and plain come to life with wit and whimsy, inviting young readers to meet their furry, feathered, and finned…
Level C1PoetryAnimal Analogues: Verses and IllustrationsWhimsical verses playfully compare animals and plants through clever wordplay and charming illustrations, inviting readers to explore nature’s quirky connections with humor and ima…
Level B1Children'sAngel's Christmas, and, Little DotIn a bleak, cramped room, seven-year-old Angel tirelessly turns the mangle to help her struggling family, then sets off through muddy streets to deliver laundry to a grand house wh…
Level C1Children'sAngel Unawares: A Story of Christmas EveA curious child sent to the sunny south of France for safety wanders into a magical garden on Christmas Eve, where mystery and enchantment blur the lines between fairy tale and rea…
Level C1Children'sAnecdotes of the Habits and Instinct of AnimalsDiscover charming and authentic stories revealing the surprising habits and instincts of mammals, from mischievous monkeys to other fascinating creatures, bridging the gap between…
Level B2AdventureAndy the Acrobat: Or, Out with the Greatest Show on EarthA fearless boy with a knack for daring stunts faces expulsion after a string of mischievous antics at school, but his dreams pull him toward the thrilling world of the circus and a…
Level B2Children'sAndy at Yale: Or, The Great Quadrangle MysteryAs graduation nears, five lifelong friends face the bittersweet reality of parting ways and choosing their futures, with Andy torn between Yale and Harvard.
Level B2Children'sAndy Grant's PluckA devoted student at Penhurst Academy receives a mysterious telegram urging him to return home immediately, sparking a journey filled with unexpected challenges and life-changing d…
Level B2Children'sAndy Gordon; Or, The Fortunes of A Young JanitorA determined young janitor at a small-town academy stands up to a proud classmate who looks down on him, proving that courage and self-respect matter more than wealth or status.
Level C1Children'sAnd Thus He Came: A Christmas FantasyIn a grand hall alive with music and dance, a mysterious child in radiant white appears, sparking a woman's awakening conscience amid shadows of deceit and ambition.
Level B2Children'sAn independent daughterAt college, Persis navigates lively friendships, clashing personalities, and the challenges of dorm life, all while embracing independence and discovering the true nature of those…
Level C1Children'sAn elder brotherIn a dusty Bloomsbury bookshop, a reserved bookseller’s solitary life is unexpectedly brightened by the arrival of a mysterious little girl, whose presence stirs memories and chall…
Level B2AdventureAn aviator's luckIn a bustling summer park, two boys—Eddie, the diligent court keeper, and his loyal friend Bill—dream of adventure beyond their daily routines.
Level B2Children'sAn Uninvited Member: A Play for Girls in Two ScenesIn a lively schoolroom, a curious girl named Effie tries to crack the secret behind the mysterious Society of S.
Level C1AdventureAn Undivided UnionFollow Major Deck Lyon and the Riverlawn Cavalry through daring Civil War battles around Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, and Chattanooga, as they navigate perilous campaigns and fierce…
Level B2HistoricalAn Old-Fashioned GirlA spirited young girl from the countryside arrives to stay with a city family, challenging modern fashions and attitudes with her old-fashioned charm and values, sparking both curi…
Level B2Children'sAn Everyday Girl: A StoryLeft orphaned and unwanted, young Ellen faces a cold family meeting where relatives debate her future—will she be taken in or sent to an institution?
Level B2FantasyAn Entertaining History of Tom ThumbDiscover the whimsical tale of Tom Thumb, a tiny hero navigating a world much larger than himself, filled with adventure and enchantment that captivates readers of all ages.
Level B2FantasyAn Enchanted Garden: Fairy StoriesTwo imaginative siblings, Rafe and Alix, face the challenge of no new stories to share during their bright Easter holidays, sparking a quest for fresh tales and adventures that wil…
Level A2PoetryAn Elegy on the Glory of Her Sex, Mrs. Mary BlaizeDelve into a poetic tribute that reflects on the virtues and complexities of womanhood, blending wit and elegance to celebrate the enduring spirit of Mrs.
Level B2PoetryAn Elegy on the Death of a Mad DogA darkly comic poem recounts the unexpected demise of a mad dog, blending humor and tragedy in a quirky elegy that challenges the boundaries between man and beast.
Level B2Children'sAn Australian LassieAt Wygate School, young Elizabeth Bruce's fiery spirit is tested when a new boy arrives and challenges her top spot in class, sparking rivalry and lessons in fairness and courage.
Level B2Children'sAn Arrow in a Sunbeam, and Other TalesIn a humble attic room, a grieving widow and her disabled son find unexpected comfort when four lively girls, calling themselves "The Quartette of Mercy," set out to brighten their…
Level B2AdventureAn Annapolis First ClassmanThree midshipmen reunite briefly in Chicago before returning to the Naval Academy, where rigorous training and camaraderie shape their path to becoming fleet-ready officers.
Level B1AdventureAn American Robinson Crusoe for American Boys and GirlsA restless boy in New York dreams of distant lands as he watches mighty ships along the Hudson River, longing for adventure beyond his everyday life.
Level B1AdventureAn American Robinson CrusoeA restless boy in New York dreams of faraway lands as he watches mighty ships on the Hudson River, longing to escape his dull apprenticeship and embark on a grand adventure beyond…
Level B1MysteryAn Amateur FiremanA determined boy dreams of joining the fire department, learning the ropes by tending fires and proving his worth despite skepticism and hardship.
Level A2PoetryAn Alphabet of Old FriendsDelight in a whimsical journey through familiar nursery rhymes and playful verses, where crows, black sheep, and merry old souls come to life in charming, rhythmic tales that capti…
Level C1PoetryAn Alphabet of CelebritiesDiscover a whimsical journey through an alphabet of notable figures, each letter bringing to life a playful portrait and verse that celebrate the charm and quirks of celebrities in…
Level B2AdventureAmy in Acadia: A Story for GirlsA determined young woman embarks on a summer journey to Acadia with her mother and friends, seeking rest, study, and healing, while fending off persistent suitors who threaten to d…
Level B2Children'sAmy Harrison; or, Heavenly Seed and Heavenly DewTwo sisters, Amy and Kitty Harrison, embark on a Sunday school walk that reveals their contrasting characters and choices in life.
Level B2Children'sAmos HuntingdonA sudden attack by a wild dog sends a family carriage teetering on the edge of a dangerous chalk-pit, sparking a tense rescue under the dark October night.
Level B2HistoricalAmong the campsIn a Southern home during the Civil War, Christmas loses its magic as war takes its toll on a family longing for their absent father and the joy of old traditions.
Level B2Children'sAmong the Trees at ElmridgeThree curious children explore the colorful world of springtime trees with their governess, discovering the secrets of catkins, willows, and other wonders hidden among the branches…
Level B2AdventureAmong the Red-skins; Or, Over the Rocky MountainsWhen young Hugh goes missing in the wilderness near the Rocky Mountains, his family sets out on a tense search, facing wild beasts and the threats of the untamed frontier.
Level B2Children'sAmong the Pond PeopleDive into a lively pond world where frogs awaken from winter slumber and tiny minnows and turtles reveal the secrets of their watery homes.
Level B2Children'sAmong the Night PeopleDiscover the secret world of night-time creatures through charming tales that reveal how plants, animals, and even farmyard hens live and grow while the world sleeps, inviting youn…
Level B1HistoricalAmong the Meadow PeopleA newly emerged butterfly explores the meadow, discovering the unique lives and homes of flowers and creatures, learning that every being thrives best in its own special place.
Level B2Children'sAmong the LindensIn bustling 19th-century New York, a spirited schoolgirl named Bonny rescues a bewildered old gentleman amid the city’s chaos, sparking an unexpected adventure filled with kindness…
Level B2HistoricalAmong the Forest PeopleA young red squirrel, raised in captivity, longs for freedom and forest life but must learn the secret ways and delicate manners of the woodland to truly belong.