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 B2Children'sA Young MutineerIn a quiet village, spirited Judy navigates childhood rivalries, strict governesses, and the alluring mystery of the new cricket-clad stranger, Jasper Quentyns.
Level B2AdventureA Young Inventor's Pluck; or, The Mystery of the Willington LegacyAn inventive young man faces hardship when the factory closes, money runs out, and he's wrongly accused of arson, but his cleverness and a mysterious family legacy set him on a dar…
Level B2AdventureA Young Hero; Or, Fighting to WinWhen a fierce rivalry threatens to erupt into a full-blown fight among schoolboys, one determined lad steps in to restore peace, setting the stage for a tale of courage, friendship…
Level B2AdventureA Young HeroAmid rising tensions and looming war, young Phil dreams of becoming a soldier like his father but struggles with lessons and fears for his family's safety.
Level B2AdventureA Year in a Yawl: A True Tale of the Adventures of Four Boys in a Thirty-foot YawlFour adventurous boys plan an ambitious voyage in a handcrafted thirty-foot yawl, eager to explore rivers, lakes, and tropical seas.
Level C1Children'sA Wreath of Indian StoriesIn a land where faith and tradition entwine, a devoted woman’s steadfast belief challenges her husband’s pride and understanding, leading him to a dream that tests his virtue and t…
Level B2Children'sA World of Girls: The Story of a SchoolA young girl bids a tearful farewell to her beloved family and familiar home as she embarks on a daunting new chapter at a strict boarding school, facing the challenges of separati…
Level C1HistoricalA Woman of YesterdayIn a remote Vermont village, Anna Mallison faces a turning point as she prepares to join her father's church, confronting the weight of her past and the promise of a new, disciplin…
Level C1Children'sA Woman PerfectedA sudden stroke leaves Donald Lindsay incapacitated amid a mysterious scene of burning papers and locked doors.
Level B2Children'sA Winter Nosegay: Being Tales for Children at ChristmastideAn old scholar summons the Spirit of Darkness, gaining three wishes at a perilous price—his first-born child.
Level C1Children'sA Week of Instruction and Amusement,: or, Mrs. Harley's birthday present to her daughter :: interspersed with short stories, outlines of sacred and: prophane history, geography &c.A devoted mother rewards her daughter's good conduct with a special book filled with stories and lessons designed to inspire kindness, virtue, and knowledge.
Level B2HistoricalA Warwickshire Lad: The Story of the Boyhood of William ShakespeareA young William Shakespeare faces eerie village superstitions and childhood fears in the dusk of Warwickshire, where witches' spells and ghostly shadows blur the line between imagi…
Level B1HistoricalA Walk and a Drive.A curious little girl named Rosy explores a sunlit French villa and its surroundings, discovering fresh milk, grapevines, and the mystery of missing birds.
Level C1AdventureA Waif of the PlainsTwo children journey across the vast, unforgiving Great Plains in 1852, facing the harsh realities of pioneer life and uncertain family ties while clinging to childhood games amid…
Level B2AdventureA Waif of the MountainsSnow buries a rugged mining settlement in the Sierras, where a diverse band of miners clash over a name for their new town amid blizzards and wild mountain dangers.
Level B2AdventureA Voyage with Captain DynamiteThree adventurous boys take the helm of their sturdy sloop, facing sudden squalls off Martha’s Vineyard.
Level B2AdventureA Voyage round the World: A book for boysA young boy’s dream of adventure ignites when a seasoned sea captain visits his family, sharing tales of exotic lands and daring voyages that stir his heart to leave home and explo…
PoetryA Visit From Saint NicholasOn a quiet Christmas Eve, a sudden, magical visit from Saint Nicholas fills the night with wonder, as a family’s home becomes the stage for a timeless holiday surprise.
Level B2HistoricalA Virginia cavalierIn 1746 Virginia’s peaceful countryside, a young George Washington sharpens his woodsman skills, embodying strength and honor amid the natural beauty and emerging tensions of colon…
Level B2AdventureA Viking of the Sky: A Story of a Boy Who Gained Success in AeronauticsA determined boy dreams of soaring the skies even as he struggles to keep his rickety old truck running to support his family.
Level B2HistoricalA Victorious UnionAmid the stirring years of the Civil War, a patriotic naval hero fights not for glory but to preserve the Union and the ideals it stands for, embodying courage and unselfish devoti…
Level B2Children'sA Very Naughty GirlOn New Year’s Day at Wynford Castle, sixteen-year-old Audrey resents her family’s open-house tradition that welcomes hundreds of local visitors, sparking tension with her governess…
Level B2AdventureA United States Midshipman in the South SeasAmidst fierce rivalries on a remote South Sea island, American midshipmen navigate political intrigue and native customs as they witness a high chief’s dramatic return from exile,…
Level B2AdventureA United States Midshipman in the PhilippinesTwo young U.
Level B2AdventureA United States Midshipman in JapanTwo young U.
Level B2AdventureA United States Midshipman in ChinaTwo young U.
Level B2AdventureA United States Midshipman AfloatTwo newly minted naval officers step aboard a mighty battleship, eager to prove themselves amid the intense drills and unrelenting discipline of life at sea.
Level B1Children'sA Troublesome Flock: A Mother Goose Play for ChildrenStep into a lively Mother Goose play where familiar nursery rhyme characters come to life in a playful, costume-filled adventure perfect for children and school performances.
Level B1Children'sA Topsy-Turvy ChristmasStep into a whimsical Christmas where everything is delightfully reversed—costumes worn backward, songs that charm and surprise, and a playful cast of characters turning tradition…
Level C1AdventureA Thane of Wessex: Being a Story of the Great Viking Raids into SomersetA young thane, wrongfully accused of treason and betrayed by a trusted friend, faces imprisonment and a public trial amid the looming threat of Viking raids in ancient Somerset.
Level B2Children'sA Terrible TomboyA fearless girl defies danger and rules as she balances atop a barn beam, drawing admiration and concern from those around her.
Level B2Children'sA Terrible CowardIn the rugged fishing town of Carn Du, where the sea crashes fiercely against towering rocks, young Mark Penelly stands poised to prove his bravery and mastery as the finest swimme…![Cover of A Taxicab Tangle; or, The Mission of the Motor Boys by Stanley R. [Adapter] Matthews](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8kui5nmvfc73bidk20.webp)
Level B2AdventureA Taxicab Tangle; or, The Mission of the Motor BoysTwo adventurous friends explore New York with motor cars and dreams of aviation, until a surprising letter arrives promising a fortune tied to a mysterious mining claim—setting the…
Level B2AdventureA Tale of the Tow-PathA hardworking boy, Joe Gaston longs for a summer escape from relentless chores to enjoy fishing by a peaceful lake.
Level B2Children'sA Tale of the Summer HolidaysFour siblings plan their traditional birthday battle and feast, but their eldest brother’s strange new attitude after school threatens to change everything in this lively summer ad…
Level B2PoetryA Tale of Two Monkeys, and other storiesTwo playful Brazilian monkeys escape their cage, wreaking charming havoc in a kindly doctor's home until their mischief leads to an unexpected fate.
Level B2HistoricalA Tale of Red PekinIn a remote Chinese village, a young girl navigates the challenges of missionary life amid cultural clashes, perilous uprisings, and deep bonds of friendship.
Level B1Children'sA Sweet Little MaidTwo young girls, Dimple and Bubbles, embark on imaginative adventures, playing "Indian" with feathers and hatchets, but their innocent game takes a dramatic turn when an accident t…
Level B2Children'sA Sweet Girl GraduatePriscilla Penywern Peel is about to leave her quiet cottage for college, carrying hopes, nerves, and the support of her lively younger sisters.
Level B2AdventureA Sunny Little LassIn a cramped, sunless corner of New York, young Glory cares for her blind grandfather, turning their tiny "ship" of a home into a sanctuary of hope and resilience amidst hardship a…
Level B2Children'sA Summer in a Canyon: A California StoryA lively group of children and their friends gather to name their summer camp in a sunny California canyon, sparking playful debates and adventures.
Level C1Children'sA Summer in Leslie Goldthwaite's Life.A young girl watching her plants yearn for blossoms mirrors her own journey of growth and self-discovery during a summer filled with quiet moments and meaningful connections in a w…
Level B2Children'sA Struggle for a FortuneIn a war-torn Missouri cabin, Jonas Keeler struggles to stretch a dwindling sum meant to support an old man, while facing the harsh realities of survival and broken promises in the…
Level B2AdventureA Story of the Golden AgeEmbark on a vivid journey through ancient Greece, where myths and legends come alive against the backdrop of sea-girt Ithaca and heroic quests, weaving the tales that lead to the e…
Level C1Children'sA Spirit in PrisonOn a sunlit islet near Naples, Vere watches a carefree boy whose singing and daring underwater dives stir her longing for freedom and adventure beyond her privileged life.
Level C1FantasyA Southern Cross fairy taleOn a warm New Zealand Christmas Eve, two children gather vibrant flowers to honor their mother’s distant memories of snowy Christmases, blending the magic of fairy tales with the u…
Level B2AdventureA Son of CourageIn a remote wilderness home, Mary Wilson confronts isolation, family tensions, and mysterious hardships, while clinging to her faith and duty to care for those in need.
Level B2Children'sA Selection from the Norse Tales for the Use of ChildrenTwo brothers, True and Untrue, set out to earn their living, but betrayal leaves True blind and alone in a dark forest.