Children's
Read Children's Classics in English
4,498 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 The Mercer Boys on a Treasure Hunt, The Mercer Boys in the Ghost Patrol and The Mercer Boys at Woodcrest. 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.
- 4,498
- books
Level B2AdventureSteve YoungA determined captain and a resilient sixteen-year-old set out on a perilous Arctic expedition to find a lost schooner trapped in the icy northern seas.
Level B2Children'sStephen Grattan's Faith: A Canadian StoryStruggling against a haunting past of addiction, John Morely and his devoted wife face the harsh realities of poverty and temptation in a new land.
Level B2HistoricalStep by Step; Or, Tidy's Way to FreedomA powerful narrative unfolds the brutal reality of slavery, revealing its crushing impact on body, mind, and soul while exploring the hope for freedom and true liberty amid a natio…
Level B2AdventureStem to Stern; or, building the boatOn the shores of Lake Champlain, a determined young boat-builder navigates challenges both on the water and in life, blending adventure with hands-on lessons in shipbuilding and sa…
Level C1AdventureStar: The Story of an Indian PonyAmid the vast Southwest plains, a spirited Indian pony named Star awakens to a world of Comanche braves, buffalo hunts, and fierce battles for survival—where honor and courage defi…
Level B2FantasyStar PeopleUnder a sky sprinkled with stars, a mysterious Princess and her three companions—Prudence, Pat, and the Kitten—explore celestial wonders and the secrets of the Star People, weaving…
Level B2AdventureStand By: The Story of a Boy's Achievement in RadioIn a forgotten village clinging to the past, Lee Renaud discovers a mysterious glass wheel—an old device that once sparked dreams of harnessing electricity.
Level B2AdventureStand By The UnionA young lieutenant on the eve of deployment faces mysterious nighttime visitors amid the tense backdrop of the Civil War.
Level B2AdventureStan Lynn: A Boy's Adventures in ChinaA boy recently returned to his family’s vast warehouse in China must quickly learn to wield a sword and pistol when river pirates attempt a daring nighttime break-in, thrusting him…
Level C2Children'sStalky & Co.Three mischievous boys at a strict boarding school build secret hideouts and navigate rules, authority, and friendship with clever schemes and unexpected alliances.
Level C1HistoricalSt. Winifred's; or, The World of SchoolA bright young boy leaves the warmth of his idyllic lakeside home to enter the bustling world of a large public school, embarking on a journey of growth, friendship, and discovery…
Level B2Children'sSt. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 5, March, 1878In a remote Norwegian village, lively twins Olaf and Erik, their little sister Olga, and their loyal dog Krikel embrace the joys of winter and the warmth of family stories by the h…
Level B2PoetrySt. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 4, February 1878A young chorister struggles under the exacting tutelage of a stern choir-master whose high expectations spark jealousy and hardship, but also inspire growth, hope, and unexpected b…
Level B2PoetrySt. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 2, December, 1877A determined boy battles a fierce tide in his little skiff, striving to prove his manhood and keep control against overwhelming odds, while unexpected encounters on the water hint…
Level B2AdventureSt. Nicholas, Vol. 13, No. 10, August 1886Isolated in a solitary cabin deep within Wyoming's Rocky Mountains, a lone hermit embraces the wild with only his horse and dog for company, sharing the rugged beauty and challenge…
Level B1Children'sSt. Nicholas Book of Plays & Operettas (Second Series)Step into a magical world where toys come to life on Christmas Eve, dancing and singing in a whimsical dream-toy shop.
Level B2AdventureSt. George for EnglandIn a stormy night of medieval England, a weary woman seeks refuge in a humble village, setting the stage for a tale of courage and chivalry as England’s martial spirit rises to leg…
Level B1AdventureSquinty the Comical Pig: His Many AdventuresA comical pig named Squinty, with one squinting eye and a rubbery nose, charms visitors on the farm with his quirky looks and playful nature.
Level B2FantasySquib and His FriendsA solitary boy nicknamed "the odd one" finds himself misunderstood by his family and nurse, yet quietly harbors a passionate mind and imagination that set him apart.
Level B2Children'sSquare and Compasses; Or, Building the HouseAt Beech Hill Industrial School, students face resistance and rebellion when asked to don uniforms, sparking debates about discipline, identity, and the value of practical educatio…
Level B2PoetrySpring BlossomsCelebrate the joys of spring and the innocence of childhood through vibrant poems that teach kindness, virtue, and the beauty of nature, while introducing timeless characters like…
Level B2Children'sSpinning-Wheel StoriesA fierce winter storm traps a lively family in a grand old house, where restless children discover dusty chests filled with antique costumes and forgotten relics.
Level B1Children'sSparrow the tramp: A fable for childrenWhen mischievous Posy discovers a mouse in the china-closet, her playful antics lead to unexpected household chaos.
Level B2Children'sSouthern Stories: Retold from St. NicholasIn the tranquil beauty of the Blue Ridge, a young boy's imagination is stirred by the echoes of war and the heroic figure of General Lee, as he dreams of courage and honor amidst t…
Level B2Children'sSophie Kennedy's experienceWhen Sophie Kennedy's father announces a new marriage, Sophie faces the challenge of accepting a stepmother amid school gossip and her own feelings of loss.
Level B1Children'sSonny BoyA shy, freckled boy named Sonny Boy is unexpectedly chosen to spend six months with his beloved Aunt Kate, setting off on a journey that promises new friendships, surprising advent…
PoetrySongs of the shining wayEmbark on a lyrical journey through enchanting landscapes and fleeting moments, where each poem invites you to explore the delicate beauty and wonder of nature and imagination alon…![Cover of Songs for the Little Ones at Home by Mary O. [Compiler] Ward](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dabmo909638s73a307v0.webp)
PoetrySongs for the Little Ones at HomeA heartfelt collection of gentle songs and poems invites children to explore love, family, faith, and the beauty of nature through simple, soothing verses perfect for home and bedt…
Level B2Children'sSon PhilipA young man returns home determined to choose a path of saving lives rather than risking them in war or adventure.
Level B2Children'sSomebody's Little GirlA little girl named Bessie Bell recalls strange memories that grown-ups insist cannot be true, from magical windows to enchanted objects, as she navigates a world that doubts the w…
Level B2Children'sSome of Æsop's Fables with Modern InstancesCunning animals and clever humans come to life in timeless fables where wit, folly, and wisdom unfold through enchanting tales like a fox outsmarting a crow or a frog's wish for a…
Level C1AdventureSome Persons UnknownAn adventurous and spirited boy, Kenyon, teeters on the edge of danger and mischief as he eagerly awaits a visit from his cricket hero, stirring excitement and tension in a househo…
Level B2AdventureSome Little PeopleYoung Lisbeth dreams of London, the only proper place to live, but she lives a hundred miles away in the countryside.
Level B2Children'sSolomon Crow's Christmas Pockets and Other TalesA clever boy named Solomon Crow navigates life with shrewdness and honesty despite his harsh upbringing and his mother’s erratic love.
Level B2HistoricalSoldiers of the QueenChildren’s games of tin soldiers spark dreams of real battlefields as young Valentine longs to join the army, set against a cozy English home where the promise of peace lingers.
Level B2FantasySolario the Tailor: His Tales of the Magic DoubletIn a magical forest kingdom, a tailor named Solario captivates the court with tales of enchantment, lost princes, and mysterious knights freed from a witch’s spell.
Level B2Children'sSoffrona and Her Cat MuffTwo young girls, Soffrona and Sophia, explore enchanting woods filled with treasures and songbirds, where they rescue a tiny kitten from cruel boys and vow to care for it together.
Level B2AdventureSoap-bubble storiesIn a village where fountains flow from every corner, a mischievous River-Troll plots to disrupt a grand wedding by silencing the sacred Church Fountain.
Level B2AdventureSnug Harbor; or, The Champlain MechanicsA daring young sailor navigates the challenges of Lake Champlain, rescuing a terrified man from a sinking sloop.
Level A2Children'sSnubby Nose and Tippy ToesWhen Snubby Nose gets stuck in a snowdrift, his family rallies to help, but a mishap leads to a funny, heartwarming adventure with Grandpa Grumbles and Doctor Cotton-Tail, who set…
Level B2AdventureSnowflakes and Sunbeams; Or, The Young Fur-traders: A Tale of the Far NorthAmid the frozen wilderness of the Red River Settlement, young Charley and his sister Kate face harsh Arctic winters and wild adventures as Charley defies his father’s wishes, deter…
Level B2AdventureSnowed Up; or, The Sportman's Club in the MountainsWhen a young frontiersman challenges seasoned guides over the true path to Fort Bolton, tensions rise among a group of emigrants stranded in the mountains.
Level B2Children'sSnowbound for ChristmasSnowbound by a relentless storm, a family faces the heartbreaking prospect of a Christmas without presents or celebration.
Level B2AdventureSnow-shoes and Sledges: A Sequel to "The Fur-Seal's Tooth"Journey through the rugged Alaskan wilderness with Phil Ryder and his steadfast companion Serge as they navigate treacherous rivers and uncertain fates, determined to reach Sitka a…
Level B2Children'sSnow-White; or, The House in the WoodHidden deep within an ancient forest, a mysterious stone house embraced by towering trees and bustling woodland creatures invites discovery.
Level B2AdventureSnow Shoes and Canoes: Or, The Early Days of a Fur-Trader in the Hudson Bay TerritoryBraving harsh wilderness and lurking dangers, a small fur-trading party embarks on a perilous journey across the North-West Territory to deliver vital winter supplies.
Level C1HistoricalSnow Flakes (From "Twice Told Tales")As a winter storm blankets a New England town in snow, the quiet transformation awakens reflections on nature’s power and the fleeting joys of childhood battles fought with snowbal…
Level C1Children'sSnap: A legend of the Lone MountainIn a spirited school cricket match, the captain must decide whether to play short-handed or convince the rebellious Snap Hales to join the team—despite Snap’s defiance and trouble…