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 C2PoetryA Child-WorldStep into a magical world of childhood wonder where a simple Indiana home and its blooming orchard reveal timeless joys, secret adventures, and the enchanting beauty of nature seen…![Cover of A Child's Story Garden by Elizabeth [Compiler] Heber](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dagh9losac3c73afmt8g.webp)
Level B2AdventureA Child's Story GardenA young prince trades royal comforts for the blacksmith’s forge, determined to craft a sword capable of defeating a fearsome giant clad in unbeatable armor.
Level B2PoetryA Child's Dream of the ZooA feverish child slips into a dream where the animals of the zoo come alive, unlocking their enclosures to host a magical midnight picnic filled with laughter, dances, races, and e…
Level B2Children'sA Child's Dream of a StarA young boy and his sister marvel at the wonders of nature and a shining star that becomes their nightly companion.
Level C1Children'sA Child's Book of SaintsJourney through enchanting forests and meet whimsical Oak-people in a world where saints come alive with childlike wonder, guiding young explorers through tales of prayer, miracles…
Level C1AdventureA Chapter of AdventuresIn a bustling fishing village where tides rule daily life, a spirited young lad returns from sea, caught between rugged tradition and the stirrings of new dreams.
Level B2AdventureA Chance for Himself; or, Jack Hazard and His TreasureCaught in a sudden thunderstorm on a rural farm, resourceful Jack Hazard and his companions scramble for shelter and survival, uncovering unexpected challenges and forging bonds am…
Level B2HistoricalA Captured Santa ClausIn a Virginia homestead during the Civil War, Christmas loses its joy as blockades prevent gifts and Major Stafford’s absence weighs heavy.
Level B2MysteryA Canadian Farm Mystery; Or, Pam the PioneerOn a Canadian farm, resourceful Pam faces unexpected challenges with quick wit and daring plans, turning mishaps into thrilling adventures.
Level B2Children'sA Campfire Girl's Test of FriendshipAt Camp Sunset by Lake Dean, the Camp Fire Girls face tension and rivalry with a neighboring camp, testing their friendships and forgiveness.
Level B2AdventureA Campfire Girl's HappinessAfter a devastating fire nearly destroys their camp, a determined group of Camp Fire Girls refuses to give up, rallying together to rebuild and find joy amid the ruins.
Level B2Children'sA Campfire Girl's First Council Fire: The Camp Fire Girls In the WoodsTrapped in a harsh household where work never ends and kindness is scarce, Bessie dreams of freedom and friendship beyond her chores.
Level B2AdventureA Cadet of the Black Star LineA seventeen-year-old cadet aboard the mighty Black Star liner Roanoke wrestles with the harsh realities of steamship life and the shadow of his seafaring father's legacy as he face…
Level B2AdventureA Butterfly ChaseTwo children embark on a sunny adventure to catch and collect the most beautiful butterflies, armed with nets and curiosity.
Level B2HistoricalA Busy Year at the Old Squire'sA dedicated young teacher transforms a rural schoolhouse with passion, lively lessons, and colorful maps, inspiring even the most reluctant students to discover their purpose and e…
Level B2Children'sA Bunch of Cherries: A Story of Cherry Court SchoolNestled in a historic house with a famed walled cherry garden, Cherry Court School offers a unique education where young girls prepare for the cherished annual Cherry Feast, blendi…
Level C1Children'sA Brace Of Boys: 1867, From "Little Brother"An insightful bachelor uncle reflects on the joys and challenges of family life while guiding his lively nephews, Daniel and Billy, through the lessons of growing up, responsibilit…
Level B2AdventureA Boy's Trip Across the PlainsA young boy and his ailing mother struggle through poverty and hardship in a harsh Missouri village, clinging to hope and faith as they face illness and loneliness.
Level C1Children'sA Boy's TownA young boy’s world unfolds in a small riverside town teeming with natural wonders and simple adventures—from fishing and skating to kite flying and exploring mysterious locks.
Level B2AdventureA Boy's RideIn turbulent 13th-century England, a fearless fourteen-year-old boy defies his priestly destiny to seek knighthood, riding through danger with only his wits and chain mail for prot…
Level B2AdventureA Boy's Fortune; Or, The Strange Adventures of Ben BakerA determined boy arrives in the bustling city with little money and no place to stay, facing the challenges of urban life as he seeks fortune and survival.
Level B2AdventureA Boy's Adventures Round the WorldAt sixteen, Jack Clewlin chooses the rough and adventurous life of a sailor aboard the famed clipper ship Silver Crown, setting sail from Stonewell on a journey filled with dangers…
Level B2AdventureA Boy Scout's CourageTrapped on mysterious grounds with a twisted ankle and surrounded by spies, a determined Boy Scout must rely on courage and unexpected allies to escape danger and uncover secret en…
Level B2AdventureA Boy Crusoe; or, The Golden Treasure of the Virgin IslandsA young Maine boy with a passion for adventure embarks on a voyage to the tropical South Seas aboard the sturdy bark Ethelyn Hope, setting the stage for a thrilling tale of surviva…
Level B2PoetryA Book of NonsenseWhimsical verses introduce a parade of eccentric characters, each with peculiar habits and amusing adventures, blending playful language and charming illustrations for a delightful…
Level C1Children'sA Book of MythsExplore timeless tales where ancient gods reflect human virtues and flaws, revealing the shared humanity behind myths from East and West that continue to shape language, literature…
Level C1HistoricalA Book of Golden DeedsExplore stirring tales of heroism and self-sacrifice that inspire courage and kindness beyond the battlefield, revealing the noble deeds woven into history’s fabric.
Level C1PoetryA Book for the YoungAn earnest collection of poetry and reflections invites young readers to embrace gratitude, self-improvement, and the true meaning of life's blessings, especially during the hopefu…
Level B2PoetryA Book for KidsWhimsical poems invite young readers on lively adventures—from dancing birds at dawn to wandering explorers and the musings of a charming old gentleman urging the love of books.
Level C1Children'sA Blundering Boy: A Humorous StoryDive into the misadventures of mischievous boys whose pranks backfire in hilarious ways, revealing the folly of folly itself.
Level A2Children'sA Bit of SunshineA young girl named Kate seizes a rare sunny afternoon to explore her seaside town by carriage, discovering fishing boats, playful children, and the wild waves of the ocean.
Level B2Children'sA Bevy of GirlsA beloved English teacher at a multicultural girls' school in Frankfurt faces a heartbreaking farewell as she must leave to care for her ailing stepmother in England.
Level B2PoetryA Apple Pie and Other Nursery TalesWhiskered friends gather for a charming tea party filled with lively songs, mischievous antics, and unexpected quarrels in a whimsical world where cats and their companions bring n…
Level C1PoetryA Apple PieDelight in the charming, ancient rhyme of A Apple Pie, brought to life with intricate woodblock illustrations and a whimsical alphabet journey through letters and playful verse.
Level B2Adventure'Tilda Jane: An Orphan in Search of a Home. A Story for Boys and GirlsAn elfish orphan girl named Tilda Jane escapes her harsh asylum with her dog Gippie, seeking a kinder home in "Orstralia.
Level B2Children's'Round the yule-log: Christmas in NorwayOn a snowy Christmas Eve in Christiania, a young lieutenant, recently ill and far from home, finds unexpected warmth and companionship among eccentric landladies and lively childre…
Level B2Children's'Me and Nobbles'In a grand, silent house ruled by stern relatives, a delicate child quietly inhabits the shadowy halls, stirring whispers and laughter where none expect.
Level C1Children's"Us," An Old Fashioned StoryIn a quaint, meticulously kept parlour, twin siblings, indistinguishable except by coral necklaces, embark on charming adventures that reveal the warmth and quirks of family life a…
Level B2Children's"Us, and our donkey"A lively family moves to a new village, where a spirited girl named Grisel navigates childhood, family changes, and intriguing neighbors—alongside their mischievous donkey—in a tal…
Level B1Adventure"Us, and our charge"After the sudden loss of their father, a determined family faces upheaval and uncertain futures, striving to hold fast to hope and responsibility while navigating new challenges, u…
Level B2Children's"Thy kingdom come."A grieving young girl struggles to find comfort after her mother's death, facing sorrow and responsibility while learning the true meaning of faith and love.
Level C1Historical"That Old-Time Child, Roberta": Her Home-Life on the FarmOn a Kentucky farm before the Civil War, young Roberta Marsden is cherished by family and servants alike, growing into a compassionate caretaker of both people and animals.
Level C1Children's"Some Say"; Neighbours in CyrusIn a quaint New England town, a gentle minister and the Mellen family navigate small-town whispers, unexpected challenges, and the quiet beauty of nature as they forge unlikely fri…
Level A2Poetry"Smiles": A Book of Recitations for GirlsA charming collection of recitations designed especially for girls, offering delightful pieces to speak from early childhood through the joys of growing up.
Level B1Children's"Sequil"; Or, Things Whitch Aint Finished in the FirstA young boy’s lively diary captures the adventures and rivalries of small-town life in the 1860s, from neighborhood fights to family moments and the trials of growing up in a bustl…
Level B2Historical"Puffing Billy" and the Prize "Rocket": or, the story of the Stephensons and our Railways.Follow the humble beginnings of George Stephenson, a coal miner’s son with a keen mind and compassionate heart, as he rises through hardship to shape the future of railways and ste…
Level C1Children's"Peanut": The Story of a BoyA lonely boy named Peanut clings to the memory of Blazer Sam, a notorious outlaw who once cared for him, as he navigates the wild mountain landscape filled with bears, birds, and t…
Level C1Children's"Old Scrooge": A Christmas Carol in Five Staves.: Dramatized from Charles Dickens' Celebrated Christmas Story.In a cold London office, miserly Scrooge dismisses Christmas as folly, rejecting warmth, cheer, and charity.