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 C1RomanceThe Hope of the Katzekopfs; or, The Sorrows of Selfishness. A Fairy Tale.In a world where fairy tales hold hidden lessons, a timeless storyteller seeks to awaken young hearts to the dangers of selfishness and the power of empathy, inviting readers into…
Level B2Children'sThe Hoosier School-boyA shy new boy arrives at the village school, navigating teasing classmates and unfamiliar playground games while quietly seeking his place among them.
Level B1AdventureThe Hollow Tree and Deep Woods BookJourney into the Big Deep Woods where a clever 'Coon, a curious 'Possum, and a wise old Crow share tales of friendship and adventure inside a hollow tree.
Level B2AdventureThe Hollow Tree Snowed-In Book: Being a continuation of stories about the Hollow Tree and Deep Woods peopleIn the heart of the Big Deep Woods, the Hollow Tree People—Mr.
PoetryThe Hole BookDive into a whimsical collection where playful poems and clever holes invite you to explore the unexpected spaces between words and pages, turning reading into an imaginative adven…
Level C1PhilosophyThe HiveExplore the unfolding of the child mind and the soul’s growth through a philosophical journey that blends the beauty of life with the quest for truth, love, and democracy, inviting…![Cover of The History of Tom Thumb: To Which Are Added the Stories of the Cat and the Mouse and Fire! Fire! Burn Stick! by Henry [Editor] Altemus](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da4jmkqe2hvc73bn0jb0.webp)
Level B2Children'sThe History of Tom Thumb: To Which Are Added the Stories of the Cat and the Mouse and Fire! Fire! Burn Stick!In a world where magic and fairies grant impossible wishes, a tiny boy no bigger than a thumb embarks on mischievous adventures, outwitting giants, animals, and even danger itself.
Level B2Children'sThe History of Tom Thumb and Other Stories.In the days of King Arthur, a tiny boy no bigger than a thumb embarks on extraordinary adventures, from outwitting giants to enchanting the royal court.
Level B2Children'sThe History of Sandford and MertonTwo boys from very different worlds—Tommy Merton, spoiled and fragile from a life of luxury, and Harry Sandford, strong and kind from a humble farm—embark on a journey of growth, l…
Level B2AdventureThe History of Little Peter, the Ship BoyIn a quiet hamlet, young Peter faces hardship as he cares for his ailing mother and tends their humble home, while his father’s turbulent seafaring past casts a shadow over their f…
Level B2AdventureThe History of Little King Pippin: With an Account of the Melancholy Death of Four Naughty Boys, Who were Devoured by Wild Beasts. And the Wonderful Delivery of Master Harry Harmless, by a Little White Horse.A poor but virtuous boy, Peter Pippin dreams of learning beyond his humble life.
Level B2Children'sThe History of Little Jack, a FoundlingAn old, disabled soldier living alone on a remote moor discovers a helpless infant abandoned in the cold.
Level C1Children'sThe History of InsectsDiscover the fascinating world of insects, from the giant elephant-beetle to the tiny flea, exploring their unique bodies, life cycles, and surprising roles in nature—all through v…
Level B2AdventureThe Hilltop Boys: A Story of School LifeTwo adventurous boys at Hilltop Academy race down a steep hill to meet arriving classmates, narrowly avoiding a mysterious newcomer standing in their path.
Level B2AdventureThe Hilltop Boys on the RiverA resourceful boy determined to join his friends on the river refuses handouts and sets out to build his own motorboat, turning scraps and a small engine into an adventure in ingen…
Level B1AdventureThe Hilltop Boys on Lost IslandThree adventurous boys from Hilltop Academy set sail on a grand steam yacht to explore the islands of the Spanish Main, facing seasickness, friendship, and the promise of discovery…
Level B2HistoricalThe Hill: A Romance of FriendshipA young boy faces the daunting challenge of entering the esteemed Harrow School, where friendship, tradition, and the trials of youth intertwine on the iconic Hill.
Level B2Children'sThe High School Pitcher; or, Dick & Co. on the Gridley DiamondAt Gridley High, a new principal stirs unease as Dick Prescott and his loyal friends navigate school challenges, sports rivalries, and social divides.
Level B2Children'sThe High School Left End; or, Dick & Co. Grilling on the Football GridironTensions rise at Gridley High as the football team faces mysterious unrest and wavering support from the Athletics Committee.
Level B2Children'sThe High School Freshmen; or, Dick & Co.'s First Year Pranks and SportsAt Gridley High, freshman Dick Prescott faces false accusations and a challenge from a bigger rival, sparking a tense showdown fueled by loyalty, honor, and the fierce bonds of fri…
Level B2Children'sThe High School Captain of the Team; or, Dick & Co. Leading the Athletic VanguardTensions rise on Gridley High's football team as Drayne challenges Captain Dick Prescott for the quarterback spot, igniting a fierce rivalry that threatens to shake the undefeated…
Level B2AdventureThe High School Boys' Training HikeA resourceful high schooler negotiates to rent an innovative camping wagon for a summer adventure, uncovering its hidden potential and the quirky owner’s stubborn pride along the w…
Level B2AdventureThe High School Boys' Fishing TripTeen Tom Reade devises a clever plan to help young Timmy sneak past his watchful father after curfew, setting off an adventurous night of daring and quick thinking in a small town.
Level B2AdventureThe High School Boys' Canoe ClubSix high school friends face a summer of unexpected challenges and adventures when a failed Indian exposition goes up for auction in their town, pitting them against rivals and tes…
Level B2AdventureThe High School Boys in Summer CampSix high school boys face summer challenges as they navigate friendship, adventure, and a risky canoe sale, all while encountering mysterious strangers and testing their courage in…
Level B2Children'sThe Hickory LimbYoung Margery faces the sting of exclusion when her older sisters embark on formal calls without her, sparking a mix of frustration, loneliness, and a secret plan that promises a s…
Level B2Children'sThe Heroes; Or, Greek Fairy Tales for My ChildrenStep into the enchanting world of ancient Greece, where gods, heroes, and mythical creatures come alive through timeless fairy tales that have shaped history, art, and imagination…
Level B2AdventureThe Heroes of the School; or, The Darewell Chums Through Thick and ThinAt Darewell High, a sudden expulsion shocks the students, but when John Newton tries to shift blame onto Fenn Masterson, secrets and loyalties among friends are put to the test in…
Level C1Children'sThe Heroes of Asgard: Tales from Scandinavian MythologyStep into the icy halls of ancient Scandinavia, where gods and heroes shape a vivid world of myth and magic.
Level B2AdventureThe Hero of Ticonderoga; or, Ethan Allen and His Green Mountain BoysIn the tense winter of 1764, Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys confront a royal proclamation that threatens their land and loyalty.
Level B2AdventureThe Hero of Garside SchoolAt Garside School, young Paul Percival wrestles with the legacy of a naval family lost to war and the shadows of looming conflict.
Level B2AdventureThe Heiress of Wyvern CourtA shy nine-year-old heiress journeys to her uncle’s farm in Cherton, where new friendships and the charm of country life await.
Level C1AdventureThe Heir of Kilfinnan: A Tale of the Shore and OceanA young fisher lad braves the wild Atlantic alone, his heart weighed by the care of his ailing mother and a mysterious heritage tied to an ancient Irish coastal castle.
Level B2AdventureThe Heart of a DogIn a meticulously managed fox farm, one clever silver fox defies captivity by digging his way to freedom under watchful eyes, revealing the wild intelligence and spirit that no hum…
Level B1AdventureThe Heart of Pinocchio: New Adventures of the Celebrated Little PuppetA lively puppet discovers a mysterious ticking within himself, sparking a journey from mischief to heart and heroism.
Level B2Children'sThe Head Girl at the GablesAs the new term begins at The Gables, the staff faces a crucial choice for head girl among three very different candidates, each with strengths and hidden flaws.
Level B2Children'sThe Hawthorns: A Story about ChildrenIn the quiet Easney Vicarage, five siblings weave stories and adventures around an ancient pear tree and the village life beyond their windows, finding magic in everyday moments de…
Level C1Children'sThe Hawthorne: A Christmas and New Years PresentA mischievous boy visits West Point with his family, where history and nature intertwine amidst tales of heroes and hidden pranks.
Level B2AdventureThe Haven Children; or, Frolics at the Funny Old House on Funny StreetA lively household brims with mischievous children, playful monkeys, and unexpected surprises as Daisy Havens wakes to a day full of frolics and a mysterious letter from Papa promi…
Level B2AdventureThe Haunted MineA young telegraph messenger boy takes a risky gamble on a mysterious sealed box at an express office auction, convinced it holds hidden treasure.
Level C1HistoricalThe Haunted Mind (From "Twice Told Tales")In the stillness of a frosty midnight hour, the boundary between dream and waking blurs, revealing haunting visions of sorrow, hope, and fate that dwell within the mind’s secret ch…
Level B2MysteryThe Haunted Hangar: Sky Scouts/Air Mystery series #3Teen pilots Larry, Dick, and cautious Sandy make a daring forced landing at a haunted estate, where eerie noises and ghostly glows spark their curiosity.
Level B2AdventureThe Hartley brothersTwo brothers embark on a daring journey to India, facing battles, desert rides, and dark deeds as they follow the spirit of early Christian knights.
Level C1AdventureThe Hard-Scrabble of Elm IslandFour young men on Elm Island forge their paths into manhood through hard work, ingenuity, and community spirit, building a vessel against all odds.
Level B2Children'sThe Happy Prince, and Other TalesA gilded statue, once a prince, weeps above a city full of sorrow he never knew in life, while a lone swallow must choose between his journey and helping those in need.
Level C1Children'sThe Happy IslesAn infant’s world unfolds through discovery and wonder as he learns the rhythms of light and dark, the presence of caretakers, and the magic of language in a nursery filled with co…
Level B2FantasyThe Happy AdventurersA young girl, sidelined by illness and injury, finds herself confined to a quiet country home where loneliness and restlessness threaten her spirit.
Level B2Children'sThe Half-Back: A Story of School, Football, and GolfAt Hillton Academy, a rough newcomer from the countryside dares to challenge seasoned football players, sparking rivalry and curiosity on the school’s bustling gridiron.