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 B2AdventureThe Wreckers of Sable IslandA spirited fifteen-year-old boy defies his grandfather’s fears to journey from peaceful Warwickshire to wild Nova Scotia in 1799, eager to join his father and embrace adventure acr…
Level B2AdventureThe Wreck of the Red Bird: A Story of the Carolina CoastThree boys arrive at a quiet South Carolina coastal town, drawn by a family summons amid fears of yellow fever.
Level B2AdventureThe WreckA sunny day’s errand to fetch sugar leads Ollie and her friends on a charming walk through fields, geese, and a seaside tea party, where childhood adventures and unexpected discove…
Level B2AdventureThe Wouldbegoods: Being the Further Adventures of the Treasure SeekersThe Bastable children navigate the challenges of growing up in a grand new home, craving adventure and meaning beyond their comfortable lives.
Level B2Children'sThe Worst Boy in TownA mischievous boy known as the "worst in town" plans a secret fishing trip to prove his good heart, despite school and strict fathers standing in his way.
Level B2AdventureThe World of IceSet sail with John Buzzby, an unflinching sea veteran, as he embarks on a perilous whaling voyage through icy polar seas filled with fierce battles, wild creatures, and the thrilli…
Level B2PoetryThe World Turned Upside Down: Or, No News, and Strange NewsExplore a whimsical collection of curious and topsy-turvy poems where animals and humans swap roles and the strange becomes ordinary, challenging your sense of reality with playful…
Level B2PoetryThe World Turned Upside DownIn a whimsical world where coats talk back and hares wield guns, everyday objects and creatures challenge their roles with humor and mischief, turning ordinary life into a topsy-tu…
Level B2PoetryThe Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition, Vol. 14Step into a world of childhood wonder with poems that capture summer nights, seaside adventures, and dreams of distant lands.
Level C1PoetryThe Works of Charles and Mary Lamb — Volume 3: Books for ChildrenDive into enchanting retellings of Shakespeare’s plays, epic adventures of Ulysses, and charming poems designed to delight young readers while introducing them to classic tales and…
Level B2AdventureThe WoodrangerIn a tense borderland where rival settlers clash, nineteen-year-old Norman McNiel, a skilled hunter from Scotland, listens to the urgent baying of a hound that signals an unfolding…
Level B2Children'sThe Woodcutter's DogIn a wolf-infested forest during a harsh winter, a woodcutter’s loyal dog bravely protects his children from danger, risking everything to keep their family safe.
Level B2HistoricalThe Woodcutter of GutechLost in the dark, tangled Black Forest, a determined traveller encounters a woodcutter and his son, sparking a journey of guidance, faith, and the quest for spiritual nourishment a…
Level B2Children'sThe Woodcraft Girls in the CityFive city girls, part of the Woodcraft Band, navigate the challenge of bringing their beloved outdoor camp spirit into urban life, devising creative ways to keep their adventures—a…
Level B2AdventureThe Woodcraft Girls at CampAt a lively girls' camp, spirited Zan navigates friendship tensions and the clash between simple joys and high-society expectations.
Level B2FantasyThe Wood-Pigeons and MaryIn a world where wood-pigeons speak and understand human sorrows, Mr.
Level A2PoetryThe Wonders of a Toy ShopStep inside a magical toy shop filled with delightful games and enchanting playthings that spark the imagination and joy of childhood in charming verse.
Level B2Children'sThe Wonderful Story of Blue Beard, and His Last WifeA mysterious nobleman with a strange blue beard invites two accomplished sisters to his opulent castle, sparking curiosity and caution as whispers swirl about his vanished wives.
Level B2AdventureThe Wonderful Stories of Fuz-Buz the Fly and Mother Grabem the SpiderIn a sunlit apple tree, a family of spiders spins webs and shares tales of courage and wisdom, while a curious fly arrives nearby, hinting at adventures that blur the line between…
Level B2Children'sThe Wonderful Garden; or, The Three CsOn Caroline’s birthday, a collection of colorful gifts brightens the pale, grey house she shares with her siblings, sparking a longing for the vibrant world beyond their walls.
Level B1FantasyThe Wonderful Adventures of NilsA mischievous boy, reluctant to read the church service alone at home, finds himself caught between his parents' hopes and his own wild nature—setting the stage for a magical journ…
Level B2AdventureThe Wonder Island Boys: Exploring the IslandStranded on a mysterious island with no tools or food, three castaways forge survival by taming wild yaks and exploring dense forests.
Level B2FantasyThe Wonder Clock; or, four & twenty marvellous Tales: being one for each hour of the dayEnter a magical world where every hour unlocks a new marvelous tale from a wondrous clock that brings to life dancing puppets and forgotten stories.![Cover of The Wolf-slayer; [Margaret Kaurner] by Christoph von Schmid](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da92gpdnmvfc73bikftg.webp)
Level B2Children'sThe Wolf-slayer; [Margaret Kaurner]In a cozy winter cabin, a grandfather weaves a tale of bravery and morality, introducing the thrilling legend of the Wolf-slayer—a story that explores courage, family, and the fine…
Level B2AdventureThe Wolf Patrol: A Tale of Baden-Powell's Boy ScoutsBoys from rival quarters prepare for a fierce showdown on the riverbank, where loyalty, courage, and the spirit of the Boy Scouts turn a neighborhood feud into a test of honor and…
Level B2FantasyThe Woggle-Bug BookA highly magnified and thoroughly educated Woggle-Bug finds himself lost in a strange city, where he must navigate human customs and earn money with his four arms to win the heart…
Level B1Science FictionThe Wizard of the Sea; Or, A Trip Under the OceanTwo mischievous friends set off to Nautical Hall, a boarding school by the sea, where summer ship voyages and daring adventures await.
Level B2RomanceThe Wishing MoonAn eleven-year-old girl in a small town carries a mysterious birthmark and a secret burden tied to the powerful Everard family, as she embarks on a magical May night filled with wi…
Level B2Children'sThe Wishing CapWhen a wealthy lady introduces a magical wishing-cap to five children, little Charles hesitates to join, guided by his faith and memories of his late parents.
Level B2AdventureThe Willoughby CaptainsAt Willoughby School, the festive air buzzes with anticipation as boys prepare for the big sports events, while young Cusack proudly parades his naval father.
Level B2Children'sThe William Henry LettersA chance encounter with a kind-hearted vegetable cart driver leads to a journey into the warm, simple life of the countryside, where stories unfold through letters capturing the ch…
Level C1AdventureThe Wilderness FugitivesIn the tense aftermath of the Wyoming massacre, Jo Minturn, his sister Rosa, and Ned Clinton rely on the elusive Mohawk guide Lena-Wingo to navigate hidden dangers in the wildernes…
Level B2AdventureThe Wild Man of the West: A Tale of the Rocky MountainsIn the rugged Rocky Mountains, sixteen-year-old March Marston lives wildly, risking life and limb with reckless courage and fierce loyalty.
Level B2Children'sThe Wig and the Shoulder of Mutton; or, The Folly of Juvenile FearsFour curious children face their fears when a mysterious white figure appears in their home, revealing how imagination can transform the dark into something frightening.
Level B2Children'sThe Widow O'Callaghan's BoysAfter the death of their father, a determined widow and her seven boys face poverty and a daunting move to town, where survival depends on their courage and unbreakable family bond…
Level C1Children'sThe Widow Davis and the young millinersWidowed Mrs.
Level C1AdventureThe White Man's FootStranded amid the vibrant yet perilous customs of the South Sea Islands, two brothers navigate volcanic dangers and cultural clashes, learning that survival demands more than coura…
Level C1RomanceThe White GauntletIn a sunlit forest clearing, Marion Wade, a radiant high-born woman with her hawk and hound, awaits a mysterious horseman whose arrival stirs anticipation and tension beneath the a…
Level C1AdventureThe White Czar: A Story of a Polar BearVenture into the frozen Arctic where a fearless hunter and his loyal huskies brave blizzards, icy seas, and wild beasts in a relentless quest for survival and adventure atop the wo…
Level B2AdventureThe White Conquerors: A Tale of Toltec and AztecIn the heart of Tenochtitlan, the vibrant Aztec capital, celebrations mask the dark tyranny of human sacrifice demanded by ruthless priests.
Level B2Children'sThe White Christmas and other Merry Christmas PlaysCelebrate the spirit of Christmas with a collection of joyful children's plays that capture kindness, goodwill, and festive fun.
Level B2AdventureThe White Chief of the CaffresBorn in India and raised among its people, a young boy embarks on a perilous sea voyage to England, facing storms at sea and the promise of new adventures that will shape his desti…
Level C1RomanceThe Wheat PrincessIn a picturesque but impoverished Italian village crowned by ancient ruins, a noble family's haunting past and fading glory set the stage for a stirring tale of love, legacy, and t…
Level B2Children'sThe Wee Scotch PiperIn the Scottish village of Aberfoyle, young shepherd Alan Craig and his loyal sheepdog Roy tend a lively flock amidst rolling hills and bluebells, where the echoes of bagpipes and…
Level B2AdventureThe Weathercock: Being the Adventures of a Boy with a BiasA quick-witted boy known as Vane navigates school rivalries and countryside adventures amid the golden hues of autumn in the Southwolds.
Level C1Children'sThe Weans at RowallanIn a rainy village, children plot to scare Mrs.
Level C1Children'sThe Way of All FleshFollow the life of Mr.
Level B2Children'sThe Wavy Tailed WarriorIn a lively woodland, Stripes Skunk and Tad Coon clash over honey, leading to a buzzing battle with a fierce hive of bees.