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 B1Children'sA thoughtless sevenSeven lively siblings left to their own devices during a rainy Sunday afternoon navigate mischief, friendship, and lessons of patience and perseverance under the watchful eyes of a…
Level B2Children'sA third day in Mary Carrow's schoolMary Carrow, a kind and thoughtful teacher, welcomes her cheerful group of young scholars to a bright morning filled with lessons, fresh flowers, and the simple joys of childhood i…
Level B2PoetryA teacher's giftA poor boy’s desperate search for work tests his courage and faith, while a devoted mother’s love offers warmth amid hardship.
Level B1Children'sA tale of three weeksLeft behind while their parents escape to the seaside with baby and nurse, three sisters face a lonely, school-filled fortnight under the watchful eye of their kind governess, disc…
Level B2Children'sA successful ventureOn a stormy day, four sisters at Glen Arden brace for the unexpected visit of their formidable Aunt Sophia, setting the stage for family secrets, adventures, and the spirited chall…
Level B2Children'sA song-birdIn a struggling London home, a devoted mother must leave her young daughter to nurse a wealthy, ill girl in distant Australia.
Level B2AdventureA son of the cityA young boy defies his parents' rules to embark on a secret early morning fishing adventure, savoring the thrill of freedom and friendship before dawn breaks over the city.
Level B2Children'sA sham princessIn a grimy London neighborhood, young Bert fiercely protects his ailing sister Prin, whose fragile health and mysterious struggles spark hope and fear.
Level A2Children'sA second day in Mary Carrow's schoolOn a rainy school morning, Mary welcomes her lively students and cares for the drenched Carry Deacon, guiding them through lessons on nouns and kindness.
Level B2Children'sA sailor's lassAmid a fierce storm, a family living in a precarious boat-home faces rising tides and crashing waves as a ship struggles on the sandbar nearby.
Level B1AdventureA sailor boy with DeweyA sixteen-year-old merchant’s son embarks on a perilous journey to the Philippines, navigating treacherous storms and a drunken captain as he explores America’s new Pacific territo…
Level B2AdventureA royal smugglerTwo boys embark on a perilous voyage to Batavia, seeking fortune and family ties, only to face fierce monsoons, mysterious markets, and the shadowy world of smuggling in the treach…
Level B2Children'sA new note in the Christmas CarolA tender father reflects on the joyful yet sorrowful memories stirred by Christmas carols, as his young daughter’s innocent love brings new hope and light to their home after loss.
Level B2Children'sA new graft on the family treeA young woman faces the challenge of leaving her comfortable home to start a new life with Lewis Morgan in a remote country farmhouse, balancing love, sacrifice, and the unknown fu…
Level B2AdventureA new Robinson CrusoeA young Irish sailor recounts his perilous voyage aboard a formidable ship bound for San Francisco and China, where a mysterious passenger named James Robinson Crusoe defies a brut…
Level B2AdventureA millionaire at sixteenAt sixteen, Louis Belgrave inherits a vast fortune and a magnificent steam-yacht, embarking on a daring ocean cruise to rescue his beloved mother lost at sea.
Level B2HistoricalA loyal lassAs war looms near the Niagara frontier in 1814, young Marianne Reyburn navigates danger and loyalty amidst shifting allegiances and whispered conflicts.
Level B2HistoricalA little maid of PicardyIn war-torn Picardy, a young French-American girl named Lucie balances her dual heritage while cherishing her homeland and its simple joys, like garden blooms and friendship, as sh…
Level B2Children'sA little maidIn the slums of London, young Peggy dreams beyond her harsh surroundings as she navigates life caring for her ailing aunt and the neighborhood children.
Level B2AdventureA little gipsy lassAn English stranger ventures into the wild moorlands to find a gypsy encampment, guided by the spirited and fearless young Lotty Lee.
Level B2Children'sA little childAn artist sketches a fearless little boy named Gerald by the sea, sparking a heartfelt conversation about faith, hope, and the storms of life.
Level B2Children'sA little Swiss boyIn the tranquil Swiss village of Leuk, a proud family returns to restore an old farmhouse, stirring curiosity and whispers among neighbors.
Level B2Children'sA little Protestant in RomeA young Protestant boy explores Rome with his mother, encountering its ancient ruins and meeting a mysterious Catholic stranger, sparking innocent questions about faith, belief, an…
Level B2AdventureA little Irish girlIn a bustling London school for young ladies, Norah O'Brien, the youngest pupil, dreams beyond geography lessons and school walls, longing for adventure as the Easter holidays appr…
Level C1Children'sA journey of joyTwo women plan an adventurous journey across the sea to sunny Italy, promising independence, discovery, and the forging of unexpected friendships amid the excitement and challenges…
Level B2PoetryA horse bookDiscover the lively world of horses through playful foals, clever circus ponies, and hardworking ploughhorses, each revealing unique traits from schooling and intelligence to wilfu…
Level B2RomanceA heroine of 1812Amid the bustling streets of Baltimore in 1812, young Lettice Hopkins anxiously awaits news of her uncle’s ship, threatened by British capture during wartime.
Level B2Children'sA harum-scarum schoolgirlWhen their beloved headmistress abruptly leaves for her war-torn husband's assignment abroad, the girls of Pendlemere Abbey face a new term under the strict and scheming Miss Todd.
Level B1Children'sA gypsy against her willA determined young girl struggles against harsh household service and family hardships, dreaming of a freer life while battling the challenges of temperamental mistresses and econo…
Level B2Children'sA golden threadA determined young storyteller visits an editor to share her work and save her family’s cherished home from debt.
Level B2AdventureA gentle pioneerIn the harsh winds of a March night, a young girl prepares to leave her childhood home on a pioneering journey westward, facing separation and hardship with hope for reunion and a…
Level B2AdventureA frontier knightTorn between the steady comforts of home and the wild unknown, a young woman chooses to join her sister and a close companion on a daring journey to the Texan frontier, where adven…
Level B2FantasyA flower bookUnder the moonlight on New Year's night, fairies awaken sleeping flowers for a magical dance in a snowy wood, revealing the secret lives and meanings of blossoms like the Christmas…
Level A2Children'sA fifth day in Mary Carrow's schoolTwo curious siblings, Eddy and Lily, explore the wonders of a sunlit morning—from discovering a buzzing beehive to caring for their cow Brindle—inviting young readers into a gentle…
Level B2Children'sA day in the country, and other storiesFour city girls, overlooked by the Fresh Air Fund, long for a day in the country to see flowers and breathe fresh air.
Level B2Children'sA day in Mary Carrow's schoolStep into a charming country school where kind teacher Mary Carrow guides her small class through spelling, reading, and curious questions about the world.
Level B2Children'sA day at Happy Hollow SchoolStep into the lively world of Happy Hollow School, where curious children and a stern teacher navigate geography, grammar, and unexpected antics in a colorful classroom full of per…
Level B1Children'sA dangerous friendFourteen-year-old Tom leaves his village blacksmith life behind to seek opportunity in London, but as he navigates the city’s challenges, family tensions and unexpected dangers tes…
Level B2Children'sA cup of sweets, that can never cloy: or, delightful tales for good childrenA spirited girl’s insatiable curiosity leads her into secret gardens and mysterious baskets, where every hidden truth and whispered conversation beckon her deeper into adventure—an…
Level B2Children'sA crown of shame, volume 3 (of 3)On Maraquita’s wedding day, Rosa, a devoted caretaker, is forbidden to attend the grand church ceremony and must instead stay behind with the baby she loves.
Level B2Children'sA crown of shame, volume 2 (of 3)After her father’s sudden death, Liz faces heartbreak and betrayal as a mysterious baby disrupts her life, severing ties with the man she loved.
Level C1Children'sA crown of shame, volume 1 (of 3)In a fever-ravaged San Diego, Liz, a courageous and compassionate doctor’s daughter, tends to suffering families while facing the shadows of disease, starvation, and unrest that th…
Level C1Children'sA child's guide to readingEmbark on a literary adventure guided by a seasoned companion who helps young readers climb from simple stories to the greatest writers in history.
Level B2Children'sA child shall lead themIn a London suburb, the Drinkrow family struggles under the weight of a miserly patriarch's public house, where two very different sons face clashing paths — one steady and studiou…
PoetryA cat bookExplore the many moods and mysteries of cats through whimsical poems that celebrate their greed, dreams, playfulness, and more in a charming tribute to our feline friends.
Level B2Children'sA borrowed sisterWhen Lois welcomes Jessie to live with her for the year, the joys and challenges of sharing a home with a "borrowed sister" unfold, deepening friendships and stirring unexpected fe…
Level C1Children'sA bit of rough roadIn a London drawing-room, lively Hope St.
Level C1HistoricalA bad pennyIn a fading New England seaboard town, a spirited boy destined for the ministry clashes with his strict Puritan aunt while dreaming of the sea and adventure beyond his rigid upbrin…