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'sThe bonfireIn a village where whispers and jeers shadow him, a lonely old man faces the mischief and misunderstanding of local children, all while hiding a painful secret from his past.
Level B1HistoricalThe blue socksA determined young girl sets out to knit socks for soldiers, balancing her good intentions with family duties and school life.
Level B2AdventureThe blind lion of the CongoA world-traveling explorer returns home with tales of daring adventures across deserts and slave gangs, igniting a young scholar's dream of thrilling escapades in the Congo.
Level B2Children'sThe black ship: with other allegories and parablesTwo inseparable siblings, Hope and May, live by the sea on a mysterious island ringed by towering mountains.
Level B2Children'sThe beautiful garment, and other storiesA determined twelve-year-old girl devotes herself to charity, schoolwork, and self-improvement, navigating family expectations and village life with a strong will and a heart for h…
Level B2Children'sThe battle of lifeIn a humble village, John Carey dreams of starting a business with a lively partner, but his mother warns him that true success requires more than money—it demands a blessing roote…
Level B2Children'sThe baseball boys of LakeportA spirited group of boys in Lakeport forms a baseball team, dreaming of rivalries, grandstands, and uniforms as they prepare for thrilling contests on the diamond.
Level C1PoetryThe barefoot timeStep into a world of childhood memories and gentle reflections through a collection of heartfelt poems that capture the joys and challenges of youth, bridging innocence and the wis…
Level B2Children'sThe barbarous babesFour imaginative siblings invent playful tortures and daring adventures, balancing childhood mischief with tender moments in a quiet English countryside.
Level B2Children'sThe alley cat's kittenA scruffy alley cat struggles to care for her kittens through biting cold and hunger, finding unexpected kindness in a family’s backyard just before Christmas.
Level A2MysteryThe aircraft boys of LakeportFive adventurous boys in Lakeport trade their beloved automobile for the thrilling challenge of mastering biplanes and daring flights.
Level C1Children'sThe adventures of a donkeyFollow the witty and sincere Jemmy Donkey as he recounts his charming life from playful youth to unexpected adventures, revealing the hopes, pride, and challenges of a humble donke…
PoetryThe adventures of Samuel and SelinaDive into whimsical verses that capture the curious exploits of Samuel and Selina, inviting readers to a charming world where childhood imagination knows no bounds.
Level C1AdventureThe adventures of Captain Mago; or, a Phoenician expedition, B.C. 1000Set sail on a daring Phoenician expedition as Captain Mago is summoned by King Hiram to secure rare treasures from distant Tarshish, aiding in the grand construction of King David’…
Level C1Children'sThe adventures of Andolocia, with the purse and cap of his father FortunatusA young traveler inherits a magical purse that endlessly produces gold and a cap that grants instant travel anywhere in the world.
Level B2Children'sThe adopted sonA young girl eagerly awaits the arrival of her new brother, adopted from a troubled past, as her community grapples with the surprising choice of a man who once caused ruin.
Level B2FantasyThe Zankiwank and The Bletherwitch: An Original Fantastic Fairy ExtravaganzaTwo children awaken at an empty Charing Cross Station to find themselves invited on a magical midnight train to Fable Land, where curious creatures like the kaleidoscopic Zankiwank…
Level C1PoetryThe Youth's CoronalInspire young minds with a collection of gentle, instructive poems that blend amusement and moral guidance, offering a wholesome bouquet of verses to nurture the heart and intellec…
Level B2Children'sThe Youngest Sister: A Tale of ManitobaWhen a man’s boat is trapped on deadly rocks and no rescue seems possible, the youngest sister must summon unexpected courage to brave the stormy sea and save a life in peril.
Level B2Children'sThe Youngest Girl in the SchoolIn a lively London schoolroom, mischievous siblings scramble to prepare for a visit from their formidable Auntie Anna, whose arrival promises change and challenges for the boistero…
Level B2Children'sThe Youngest Girl in the Fifth: A School StoryA talented but unprepared girl is suddenly promoted to the challenging Fifth Form, where she must master tougher subjects with the help of dedicated teachers.
Level C1RomanceThe Younger Sister: A Novel, Volumes 1-3In a village shadowed by loss and neglect, the youngest daughter, Emma, returns home after her aunt’s scandalous marriage disrupts family fortunes.
Level C1RomanceThe Younger Sister: A Novel, Vol. III.As Margaret anxiously awaits her lover's return, hidden tensions and complex emotions simmer beneath the surface of family and romance.
Level C1RomanceThe Younger Sister: A Novel, Vol. II.Tensions rise in the Watson family as the arrival of the spirited Penelope disrupts their quiet life and stirs rivalry over invitations, friendships, and social standing—setting th…
Level C1RomanceThe Younger Sister: A Novel, Vol. I.A once-respected clergyman’s family faces hardship after his wife’s death and a contentious inheritance leaves the youngest daughter, Emma, caught between loyalty and loss amid shi…
Level C1AdventureThe Young Yagers: A Narrative of Hunting Adventures in Southern AfricaNear the confluence of Southern Africa's great rivers, six young hunters gather by a campfire, blending friendship, family ties, and the rugged promise of adventure.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Woodsman; Or, Life in the Forests of CanadaA young boy in a growing Canadian village dreams of following his father's footsteps into the forest.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Wild-FowlersFour adventurous friends spend a crisp October by the Chesapeake Bay, eager to hunt the famed canvas-back ducks while navigating the challenges posed by poachers wielding massive d…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Voyageurs: Boy Hunters in the NorthEmbark on a thrilling journey through the vast, untamed fur countries of North America, where wild landscapes, scarce settlements, and elusive creatures challenge two young adventu…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Vigilantes: A Story of California Life in the FiftiesWhen a quick-thinking young rigger warns a train of a burning bridge, he earns a free ride and a chance to start fresh in Boston, navigating the bustling world of 1850s labor and o…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Treasure Hunter; Or, Fred Stanley's Trip to AlaskaA determined young boy leaves school to help his injured father and struggling family by seeking work at a promising new mining settlement in Alaska.
Level B2AdventureThe Young TrawlerAmid the rugged life of Yarmouth fishermen, a spirited boy boldly embraces the sea and its harsh demands, while his family confronts the trials that shape men and boys alike.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Trailers: A Story of Early KentuckyA strong-willed fifteen-year-old leads his family and neighbors into the wild, untamed forests of early Kentucky, where adventure, danger, and the secrets of the wilderness await u…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Trail Hunters: Or, the Wild Riders of the Plains. The Veritable Adventures of Hal Hyde and Ned Brown, on Their Journey Across the Great Plains of the South-WestTwo young adventurers, Hal and Ned, embark on a perilous journey across the Great Plains, facing wild mustangs, Comanche attacks, and treacherous landscapes, while encountering Nat…
Level B1AdventureThe Young Surveyor; Or, Jack on the PrairiesA determined young surveyor arrives in a frontier settlement, ready to prove his skills despite being dismissed as "nothing but a boy.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Supercargo: A Story of the Merchant MarineAmidst the cold Brooklyn docks, a determined young supercargo faces the harsh world of the merchant marine, navigating danger from rough seas and tough encounters onshore.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Ship-Builders of Elm IslandA young boy wrestles with the question of his future, finding unexpected purpose and strength as he learns the demanding trade of ship-building under the guidance of a trusted blac…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Sharpshooter at AntietamTwo young Union sharpshooters navigate camp life and foraging during the tense days leading to the pivotal Battle of Antietam, encountering the diverse and complex world of the Civ…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Scout: The Story of a West Point LieutenantA determined young scholar stands up to a feared school bully, defending his disabled friend with courage and quick wit.
Level B2Children'sThe Young SalesmanA determined boy crosses the Atlantic alone after his father's death, armed only with a small sum and the hope of finding distant relatives in New York.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Ranchers; Or, Fighting the SiouxA young hunter returns to his South Dakota ranch amid growing unrest among the Sioux, facing the looming threat of attack as tensions rise in the turbulent frontier.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Railroaders: Tales of Adventure and IngenuityA young boy stumbles upon a dangerous plot by disgruntled railroad workers to sabotage a train and must use his wits and courage to prevent disaster.
Level B2Children'sThe Young PitcherA shy freshman struggles to find his place amid the harsh traditions and social tests of university life, battling loneliness and self-doubt while yearning for acceptance and frien…
Level C1Children'sThe Young Pilgrim: A Tale Illustrative of "The Pilgrim's Progress"A young boy encounters a clergyman near ancient shrine ruins and learns about the true meaning of pilgrimage beyond superstition.
Level A2AdventureThe Young Outlaw; or, Adrift in the StreetsA street-smart boy with ragged clothes and a quick wit offers to guide a lost stranger through the bustling, confusing streets of New York, revealing a city where survival depends…
Level B2Children'sThe Young O'Briens: Being an Account of Their Sojourn in LondonA family's journey through a stormy London night unfolds with tender humor and quiet tension as they face an uncertain year apart.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Musician; Or, Fighting His WayLeft penniless after his father's death, young Philip Gray faces the harsh prospect of the poorhouse but vows to fight his way up through hard work and his talent for music.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Miner; Or, Tom Nelson in CaliforniaIn the rugged California goldfields, sixteen-year-old Tom Nelson faces the harsh realities of mining with determination and grit, contrasting sharply with others’ fleeting hopes of…