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'sThe golden pennies, and other storiesDiscover heartfelt tales where simple acts reveal profound lessons: from the true value of giving golden pennies to the mischievous adventures of Old Tom, the cat, whose surprising…
Level B2FantasyThe golden heart, and other fairy storiesA restless boy slips beneath the waves, guided by a mysterious fish, to explore a magical underwater world where a lonely princess is trapped on a desolate rock, guarded by a fears…
Level B2Children'sThe gold thimbleWhen Mary, a hardworking gardener’s daughter, visits the grand house of her employer, a treasured gold thimble mysteriously disappears, sparking a gentle tale of kindness, trust, a…
Level B2AdventureThe gold rock of the ChippewaIn 1775 near the Great Lakes, two American brothers face judgment from a Chippewa tribe torn between hostility and hospitality.
Level B1Children'sThe girls of Rivercliff School; or, Beth Baldwin's resolveAt Rivercliff School, Beth Baldwin faces the challenges of growing up alongside old friends and new ambitions, while navigating small-town gossip and the arrival of a promising you…
Level B2HistoricalThe freed boy in AlabamaIn post-Civil War Alabama, young Tom Alson wrestles with a choice between pursuing an education and accepting hard labor on a plantation.
Level B2Children'sThe fortunate calamityA family faces unexpected challenges when Aunt Elsie, long cared for by a devoted companion, must find a new home—bringing old tensions and secrets to the surface in a household al…
Level B2AdventureThe fort in the wildernessYoung hunters navigate the dangers of the Virginia wilderness amid rising tensions between settlers and Native tribes led by Chief Pontiac.
Level B2Children'sThe fireside story bookTwo young nephews, raised with opposite values—one wasteful, one thrifty—come to their uncle’s new home, where lessons of economy and foresight unfold through simple, everyday chal…
Level C1Children'sThe fatal three, vol. IIIIn a garden of shattered minds and faded glory, a former prima donna clings to her past amidst the quiet of an asylum.
Level C1Children'sThe fatal three, vol. IIIn the glittering London social scene, the enigmatic César Castellani captivates women with charm and mystery, sparking endless speculation about his origins.
Level C1Children'sThe fatal three, vol. IA wealthy couple’s quiet life is disrupted when the husband insists on adopting a mysterious orphan girl, challenging the delicate balance of their home and the innocence of their…
Level C1AdventureThe family Robinson CrusoeShipwrecked on a deserted island, a resourceful father guides his wife and four sons through survival, blending adventure with practical lessons in natural history and mechanics.
Level B1FantasyThe fairy babiesTiny Ink-Bottle Babies tumble from desks and follow their Fairy Mama into the woods, where bedtime stories come to life—like the tale of a dwarf who discovers a magic pitcher with…
Level B2RomanceThe entertaining story of King Brondé, his Lily and his RosebudIn a shimmering palace atop a winding mountain road, the Pale Lady, Queen of King Brondé, summons a magical fairy to bestow a special blessing upon her youngest child, weaving a ta…
Level C1FantasyThe education of Uncle PaulA man returns to the Old Country after twenty years at sea, stirred by memories of childhood and home.
Level C1PoetryThe eagle's masqueDelight in a whimsical masque where feathered characters reveal their true nature through playful poetry, inviting young readers to laugh and learn about birds with natural history…
Level B2Children'sThe dwarf's spectacles, and other fairy talesDiscover the secret behind the rose-bush’s thorns as a gentle nightingale seeks the perfect home, only to face danger from a cunning cat lurking nearby.
Level B2RomanceThe doctor's daughterA young woman cares tenderly for her weary doctor father in a quiet country home, longing for connection and meaning amid loneliness.
Level B2RomanceThe discovery of DamarisIn quiet London, Damaris lives a sheltered life under her uncles' watchful eyes, her graceful exterior hiding fierce, slumbering passions.
Level A2AdventureThe dinky ducklingsTwo duckling brothers, Peter and Puddle, set out on a lively adventure to visit their Aunt Daffy, encountering new friends and unexpected detours led by a cunning fox.
Level B2AdventureThe desert homeVast and varied, the Great American Desert stretches over a million square miles of shifting sands, rugged mountains, and surprising oases, inviting daring explorers to uncover its…
Level B2Children'sThe dark nightTwins Osric and Elsie navigate childhood challenges on their way to school, where secrets and fears test their bond.
Level B2AdventureThe cruise of the Canoe ClubFour adventurous boys pool their savings and seek expert advice to buy canoes for an epic cruise, navigating challenges of cost, choice, and camaraderie as they set out to explore…
Level B2Children'sThe convict's childA young maid receives a mysterious letter summoning her to visit a sick friend in a grim workhouse, stirring memories of friendship, hardship, and redemption.
Level A2Children'sThe cock, the mouse, and the little red henWhen a cunning fox captures a cock, a mouse, and a little red hen, only the resourceful hen’s quick thinking can turn the tables and save them all from danger on the hill.
Level B2HistoricalThe clammer and the submarineBeneath an ancient pine overlooking a serene harbor, a contemplative gardener wrestles with the changing seasons and the encroaching shadows of war, blending the quiet rhythms of r…
Level B2FantasyThe chronicles of Fairy landStep into a magical forest where firelight transforms into enchanted castles, brave knights, and mischievous faeries.
Level B2AdventureThe children of Old Park's TavernAt Old Park's Tavern, the bustling preparations for a lively political convention bring Dolly, a curious city girl, into the heart of country life, where debates, feasts, and unexp…
Level C1Children'sThe childrenA reserved civil engineer embarks on a Mediterranean voyage, weary of uneventful travel and longing for adventure, when a fragile young mother carrying her heavy child catches his…
Level B2Children'sThe child's curiosity book, embellished with cuts.Discover charming tales and lessons about kindness, honesty, and safety through stories of playful children, friendly robins, and festive treats, all designed to delight and teach…
Level B2Children'sThe chest of toolsTwo boys face the consequences of forbidden mischief when a locked tool chest is opened, leading to a painful injury and a tangled web of secrets and lies.
Level B2FantasyThe cats' Arabian nights, or, King GrimalkumIn a kingdom ruled by the ruthless King Grimalkum, cats with lighter fur face exile or worse, while the beloved Pussyanita’s life hangs in the balance.
Level B1MysteryThe campfire girls of RoselawnTwo curious Campfire Girls dive into the exciting new world of radio, eager to install their own set and uncover strange messages from the air.
Level C1Children'sThe cabin on the prairieOn the vast prairie, a determined pioneer boy dreams beyond his threadbare clothes and humble cabin, yearning for adventure, purpose, and a life more meaningful than the restless,…
Level B2Children'sThe brother's return, and other storiesA man returns home after twenty years, hoping to reconcile with his brother Long John, only to find the past and their lives changed beyond recognition.
Level C1Children'sThe breach of trustA self-assured man eager for public acclaim masks his true character behind a facade of piety and ambition, while his wife navigates the challenges of their modest household.
Level B2Children'sThe braceletsIn a serene English school, two friends vie for a cherished bracelet prize symbolizing merit and friendship, revealing contrasts in ambition, character, and the challenges of growi…
Level B1AdventureThe boys of Columbia High on the riverStranded on a remote island after a mysterious hole sinks their boat, two resourceful boys must repair the damage and uncover who sabotaged their river adventure before nightfall.
Level B1Children'sThe boys of Columbia High on the iceRival high school hockey teams clash on the frozen Harrapin River as Frank and Lanky race against time and each other to deliver a challenge and prove whose ice-boat rules the cham…
Level B2Children'sThe boys of Columbia High on the gridironRival high school football teams clash as Columbia’s boys train hard, face fierce competition, and navigate friendships and rivalries on the road to claiming the coveted Silver Cup…
Level B2Children'sThe boys of Columbia High on the diamondA spirited baseball team from Columbia High journeys by launch to face their rivals at Bellport, with a pennant and town pride on the line.
Level B2Children'sThe boys of Columbia High in track athleticsAs graduation nears, Columbia High's top athletes prepare for a thrilling track and field competition against fierce rivals from neighboring towns.
Level B2Children'sThe boy who never lost a chanceIn a time when railroads reshape the English countryside, a resourceful boy seizes every opportunity, from delivering meals to aiding workers, proving that courage and kindness ope…
Level B2Children'sThe boy who brought ChristmasIn the heart of the North Carolina mountains, a spirited boy named Grover Cleveland embarks on a snowy adventure with his dog to track down Old Sandy Claus and ensure every mountai…
Level B2AdventureThe boy nihilistA young American heir embarks on a global journey, unknowingly stepping into a secret world of revolution and intrigue.
Level B1Children'sThe book of one syllableA young girl struggles with self-control as her curiosity leads her into a forbidden room filled with tempting sweets, teaching a gentle lesson about right and wrong through simple…
Level B2AdventureThe book of friendly giantsA lonely herdboy named Ivan hears mysterious cries in the forest and ventures into the darkness, where he encounters the gentle giants who defy fearsome legends with their kind hea…