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 Talking Beasts: A Book of Fable WisdomJourney through ancient worlds where timeless fables reveal wisdom through talking beasts, offering friendly advice and life lessons passed down from Aesop to Indian sages and beyo…
Level C1Children'sThe Talkative WigIn a mysterious old garret, forgotten objects come to life and share their adventurous histories, revealing secrets and stories of their past lives.
Level B2Children'sThe Talisman: A Tale for BoysYoung Frank, eager to explore beyond his rural home, faces the challenge of leaving family and friends behind as he prepares to attend school in bustling Boston, where new lessons…
Level C1Children'sThe Tales of Mother Goose: As First Collected by Charles Perrault in 1696A kind-hearted girl endures the cruelty of her proud stepmother and stepsisters, dreaming of a chance to attend the royal ball.
Level B1Children'sThe Tale of the Pie and the Patty PanWhen Ribby the Pussy-cat invites Duchess the little dog to tea, both plan to serve delicious pies—one suspiciously made of mouse.
Level B1Children'sThe Tale of Two Bad MiceTwo mischievous mice explore a dollhouse kitchen filled with tempting but unyielding pretend food, sparking chaos and unexpected discoveries.
Level B1Children'sThe Tale of Timmy TiptoesIn a bustling forest, Timmy Tiptoes and his wife Goody gather nuts to prepare for winter, but a mix-up with rival squirrels and a mysterious hole in a tree leads to unexpected adve…
Level B1AdventureThe Tale of Samuel Whiskers; Or, The Roly-Poly PuddingWhen mischievous Tom Kitten hides in an old house’s wide chimney, his frantic mother and cousin must navigate secret passages and battle clever rats to rescue him before he becomes…
Level B1Children'sThe Tale of Mrs. TittlemouseA meticulous wood-mouse named Mrs.
Level B2AdventureThe Tale of Mr. TodTwo quarrelsome neighbors, the sly Mr.
Level B1Children'sThe Tale of Mr. Jeremy FisherA charming frog named Mr.
Level C1FantasyThe Tale of Lal: A FantasyIn the heart of foggy Trafalgar Square, a mysterious lion speaks to a lost boy, unveiling a secret patch of fairyland hidden within the city's busiest hub—where imagination defies…
Level B2Children'sThe Tale of Johnny Town-MouseWhen country mouse Timmy Willie accidentally travels to the bustling city, he experiences a world of noise, danger, and unfamiliar food in the elegant home of Johnny Town-mouse.
Level B2Children'sThe Tale of Ginger and PicklesIn a quaint village, a cat named Ginger and a terrier named Pickles run a charming shop that offers unlimited credit, delighting customers but leaving the owners in a tricky financ…
Level B1AdventureThe Tale of Bunny Cotton-TailWhen Bunny Cotton-Tail burns his paw and ventures out at night, he stumbles into a strange garden and faces new dangers.
Level B2FantasyThe Tailor of GloucesterIn snowy Gloucester, a poor tailor races to finish a splendid coat for the mayor’s Christmas wedding, relying on his clever cat and the secret help of tiny mice who emerge from hid…
Level B2AdventureThe Sword of Antietam: A Story of the Nation's CrisisAmid the sun-scorched hills and valleys of the South, a young Northern soldier scans the landscape, bracing for the clash of armies and the unfolding drama of the nation’s gravest…
Level B1AdventureThe Swiss TwinsHigh in the Swiss mountains, lively twins Seppi and his sister embark on daily adventures filled with family warmth, the rhythms of rural life, and the charming call of a responsib…
Level B2AdventureThe Swiss Family Robinson, Told in Words of One SyllableStranded on a rocky shore after a shipwreck, a resourceful family must rely on courage, wit, and their loyal dogs to survive and build a new life in the wild unknown.
Level B2Children'sThe Swedish Fairy BookA boy hatched from an egg grows to enormous size and strength, performing incredible feats as he sets out on a journey that leads him to a king’s court troubled by a sea troll’s dr…
Level B2AdventureThe Swan and Her Crew: or The Adventures of Three Young Naturalists and Sportsmen on the Broads and Rivers of NorfolkThree young naturalists embark on thrilling adventures exploring Norfolk's broads and rivers, encountering wildlife, building a yacht, and facing perils on the water.
Level B2AdventureThe Surprising and Singular Adventures of a Hen as Related by Herself to Her Family of ChickensAn old hen recounts her journey from a pampered pet to a shunned outcast, revealing the trials and lessons of life beyond the cozy farmyard.
Level B2FantasyThe Surprising Adventures of the Magical Monarch of Mo and His PeopleIn the enchanting Valley of Mo, where hats grow on trees and rivers flow with milk and cream, a cheerful king rules a land of endless wonder and delight.
Level B2FantasyThe Surprising Adventures of Sir Toady Lion with Those of General Napoleon Smith: An Improving History for Old Boys, Young Boys, Good Boys, Bad Boys, Big Boys, Little Boys, Cow Boys, and Tom-BoysFollow the mischievous childhood antics of the future General Napoleon Smith, his spirited sister Priscilla, and the unlikely Toady Lion as they navigate rivalry, pranks, and the e…
Level B1Children'sThe Surprise BookWhen a snowstorm keeps Dotty home from school, she creates a magical Surprise Book filled with hidden pockets containing stories, trinkets, and monthly delights for her sister Marj…
Level B2AdventureThe Sunbridge Girls at Six Star RanchSix adventurous girls from the East journey to Texas to spend a summer at the wild Six Star Ranch, where new friendships and unexpected challenges await.
Level B1HistoricalThe Sun's BabiesBeneath the Sun-Man's golden glow, a magical world of flower and fairy babies awakens through the seasons, revealing the secret lives and gentle growth of nature's tiniest wonders.
Level B2AdventureThe Sun of Quebec: A Story of a Great CrisisAmid the turmoil of the French and Indian War, two young survivors find refuge and face the looming threat of a French advance on Albany.
Level B2HistoricalThe Sun Maid: A Story of Fort DearbornAmid the rising grandeur of a young Chicago, a brave Native American chief foresees bloodshed while a spirited orphan girl, full of innocent wonder, navigates a world caught betwee…
Level A2PoetryThe Sugar-Plumb: or, Golden FairingAn enchanting alphabet poem invites children to explore letters through charming associations, while a fable in verse reveals the fleeting nature of joy as a boy chases a dazzling…
Level B2AdventureThe Submarine Boys' Trial Trip: "Making Good" as Young ExpertsYoung Captain Jack Benson, just sixteen, commands the innovative submarine "Pollard" with skill that surprises even seasoned naval officers, while ambitious Don Melville awaits his…
Level B2AdventureThe Submarine Boys' Lightning Cruise: The Young Kings of the DeepTwo daring teenage submarine captains prepare for their first live torpedo drill amid the deadly explosives of a secret naval shed, risking everything beneath the icy waters aboard…
Level B2AdventureThe Submarine Boys on Duty: Life on a Diving Torpedo BoatTwo ambitious boys arrive in Dunhaven, drawn to the mystery of "Pollard's Folly," a secretive submarine torpedo boat being built to revolutionize naval warfare.
Level B2AdventureThe Submarine Boys for the Flag: Deeding Their Lives to Uncle SamWhen a mysterious German professor urgently seeks out Captain Jack Benson, a young submarine skipper, Jack is drawn into a secret that could change everything he knows about his un…
Level B2AdventureThe Submarine Boys and the Spies: Dodging the Sharks of the DeepAt Spruce Beach, a grand crowd awaits the arrival of the cutting-edge submarine "Benson," captained by sixteen-year-old prodigy Jack Benson and his teenage crew, promising thrillin…
Level B2AdventureThe Submarine Boys and the Middies: The Prize Detail at AnnapolisYoung captains and engineers navigate the challenges of pioneering submarine torpedo boats as they strive to prove their value to an indifferent U.
Level B2FantasyThe Strange Story BookStep into a world where ancient myths and enchanting tales come alive, guided by a storyteller who cherishes beasts, history, and the magic of old legends.
Level B2FantasyThe Strange Little Girl: A Story for ChildrenIn a palace where joy reigns and sorrow is unknown, Princess Eline senses a hidden world beyond the garden’s edge—a place of mystery, longing, and unspoken truths calling her to le…
Level B2MysteryThe Strange LikenessA young couple cherishes their mysterious baby, promising to keep a secret that could change everything.
Level B2MysteryThe Strange Cabin on Catamount IslandA group of adventurous boys accept a daring challenge to camp for a full week on the eerie Catamount Island, facing fears sparked by ghostly noises and testing their nerve with new…
Level B2AdventureThe Strange Adventures of Eric BlackburnA maiden voyage turns nightmarish when a blazing meteorite crashes through the Saturn, a vast passenger steamer bound for Melbourne.
Level B2AdventureThe Stowaway GirlA young woman faces a desperate proposal from her coarse, broke uncle to marry a wealthy but unpleasant man for financial rescue.
Level B2AdventureThe Story of the White-Rock CoveA young boy’s sunny morning schoolwork leads to a thrilling adventure along a winding path to White-Rock Cove, where friendship, nature, and discovery await in a charming coastal s…
Level C1FantasyThe Story of the White MouseIn the ancient kingdom of Bonbobbin, a brilliant prince obsessed with mice offers half his realm and his bride to anyone who can capture a rare white mouse with green eyes—an elusi…
Level B2PoetryThe Story of the Two BullsA peaceful deacon's life is upended when he buys a rival bull, sparking a fierce and chaotic battle that threatens his home and sanity.
Level B2AdventureThe Story of the Treasure Seekers: Being the Adventures of the Bastable Children in Search of a FortuneSix resourceful siblings face fallen fortunes and a silent house, deciding to seek treasure to restore their family’s happiness and hope, embarking on imaginative adventures fueled…
Level B1Children'sThe Story of the Three Little PigsThree little pigs set out to build their fortunes, each choosing different materials for their homes—but a clever wolf threatens their safety, leading to a tale of wit, courage, an…
Level B1FantasyThe Story of the Three GoblinsThree goblin brothers embark on a daring quest through the Big World to reclaim a stolen Red Feather that will crown the new King of the Mountain.