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 B2MysteryThe Camp Fire Boys at Log Cabin Bend; Or, Four Chums Afoot in the Tall TimberFour friends embark on a rugged hike through towering woods, crossing rivers and following old trails as night falls.
Level C1PoetryThe Cambridge Book of Poetry for Children: Parts 1 and 2Step into a world of rhythmic joy and gentle wonder with a carefully chosen collection of lyrical poems designed to delight young readers and invite them into the enchanting realm…
Level B2AdventureThe Call of the Beaver Patrol; Or, A Break in the GlacierFour Boy Scouts embark on a daring mission to find two missing breaker boys who vanished from a deserted mine, uncovering mystery, danger, and hidden motives beneath the surface of…
Level B2Children'sThe Cadets of Flemming HallAt Flemming Hall, a lively group of cadets welcomes a new arrival, Leon Arnold, into their brotherhood of daring adventures, strict teachers, and spirited school life.
PoetryThe Butterflys' BallGentle creatures gather for a whimsical celebration in a charming poem that invites young readers into a magical world where butterflies and their friends come alive with joy and c…
Level C1PoetryThe Butterfly's Funeral: A Sequel to the Butterfly's Ball and Grasshopper's FeastIn a tender woodland farewell, the insect friends gather to mourn the butterfly’s passing, weaving a poetic tribute that blends nature’s charm with gentle sorrow.
Level B2Children'sThe Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's FeastIn a sunlit forest clearing, insects from beetles to butterflies gather for a grand ball and feast, setting aside differences to celebrate with music, dance, and laughter under the…
Level C1PoetryThe Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's FeastCelebrate the whimsical gathering of butterflies, grasshoppers, and other charming creatures as they come together for a joyful ball and feast, brought to life through elegant engr…
Level B2AdventureThe Bushranger's SecretIn the vast, rugged grasslands of South Australia, a restless young man wrestles with despair and secrets alongside a weary companion, setting the stage for a gripping adventure fi…
Level B2AdventureThe Bush Boys: History and Adventures of a Cape Farmer and his FamilyOn the remote frontier of Southern Africa, Hendrik Von Bloom, a former soldier turned nomadic farmer, navigates the harsh wilderness and tense relations with native tribes, while h…
Level B2AdventureThe Buried Treasure; Or, Old Jordan's "Haunt"In a humble cabin marked by loss and hardship, young David Evans dreams of a brighter future despite his father’s bitterness and their shattered past.
Level C1MysteryThe Bungalow Boys in the Great NorthwestTwo adventurous brothers return to their serene Maine valley, now transformed and strangely tame after past dangers, but old mysteries and new visitors hint that excitement—and per…
Level B2AdventureThe Bungalow Boys North of Fifty-ThreeThree adventurous boys brave the icy silence and frozen wilderness north of the fifty-third parallel, setting off on a thrilling journey aboard the quirky steamer Yukon Rover, wher…
Level B2AdventureThe Bungalow Boys Along the YukonThree adventurous boys board a mysterious, privately owned steamer bound for Alaska, stirring curiosity and suspicion at Seattle’s docks.
Level C1Children'sThe BuildersIn a fading Virginia plantation, resourceful sisters face hardship with cheerful courage, while Caroline, a spirited nurse haunted by lost dreams, awaits a change that might finall…
Level C1AdventureThe Buffalo Runners: A Tale of the Red River PlainsCaught in a brutal prairie blizzard, two determined hunters embark on a desperate trek across the frozen Red River Plains to save their starving friends, battling nature’s fury and…
Level C1PoetryThe Buckle My Shoe Picture BookDelight in whimsical nursery rhymes and imaginative verses brought to life with charming illustrations, weaving playful counting games and fanciful creatures that spark wonder and…
PoetryThe Brownies: Their BookJoin the mischievous Brownies as they embark on whimsical adventures—from school and skating to circuses and seaside fun—in a charming collection of poems brimming with playful mag…
Level B2FantasyThe Brownies and Prince Florimel; Or, Brownieland, Fairyland, and DemonlandIn a kingdom where appearances deceive, a tiny prince with extraordinary sight and magical arrows faces a cunning uncle’s treachery as he fights to claim the throne meant for him.
Level B2Children'sThe Brownies and Other TalesChildren’s daily struggles with forgotten chores and missing toys come to life in a whimsical tale where a young girl’s messy playroom sparks adventures and surprises, revealing th…
Level B2FantasyThe Brown Owl: A Fairy StoryIn a vast kingdom ruled by the powerful magician King Intafernes, his daughter Princess Ismara faces a mysterious promise to "cherish the Owl" as her father’s reign nears its end,…
Level C1Children'sThe Brown Fairy BookJourney across diverse lands through enchanting tales of princes, magical creatures, and ancient customs, where every story reveals the universal wonder and wisdom shared by childr…
Level B2Children'sThe Brother of a HeroA fifteen-year-old boy arrives alone in a sleepy riverside town, eager to explore before starting school at Maple Hill Academy.
Level B2AdventureThe Broncho Rider Boys with the Texas Rangers: Or, The Capture of the Smugglers on the Rio GrandeThree daring young riders, known as the Broncho Rider Boys, navigate the rugged Rio Grande border to capture a band of smugglers, testing their courage and friendship in thrilling…
Level B2AdventureThe Broncho Rider Boys with Funston at Vera Cruz: Or, Upholding the Honor of the Stars and StripesFour daring boys spot a suspicious band of riders poised to rob a train near Pachuca, and despite the odds, they devise a bold plan to outwit the bandits and protect innocent passe…
Level B2AdventureThe Broncho Rider Boys on the Wyoming Trail: Or, A Mystery of the Prairie StampedeThree daring boys ride from Arizona to Wyoming, uncovering mysteries and taming wild horses along the way.
Level B2AdventureThe Broncho Rider Boys Along the Border: Or, The Hidden Treasure of the Zuni Medicine ManThree adventurous boys roam the rugged Southwest, facing wild horses and mysterious rivals as they uncover secrets of a hidden Zuni treasure, testing their courage and friendship a…
Level C1Children'sThe Broken Gate: A NovelIn a small town where challenges and grudges simmer beneath the surface, Aurora Lane returns home, stirring whispers and curiosity as she reconnects with her past and faces the sha…
Level B2Children'sThe Broken Bough: No. 435, IV. SeriesTwo brothers leave school on a sunny May afternoon, eager to share lessons about faith, growth, and divine care learned from their kind teacher.
Level B2AdventureThe Brighton Boys with the Submarine FleetTwo Brighton schoolboys answer the urgent call to join Uncle Sam’s submarine fleet, leaving behind campus life for daring underwater missions in the European war.
Level B2AdventureThe Brighton Boys with the Flying CorpsAmid the stirring backdrop of World War I, a group of Brighton Academy boys, led by the curious and determined Jimmy Hill, dream of joining the thrilling new battlefield in the ski…
Level B2AdventureThe Brighton Boys in the TrenchesAs war calls many Brighton Academy boys to daring roles from the skies to the seas, seventeen-year-old Herbert Whitcomb faces the harsh realities of loss and enlistment, determined…
Level B2AdventureThe Brighton Boys in the Submarine Treasure ShipTwo war-hardened naval officers, returning home after heroic service, spot a mysterious object at sea that promises a new adventure beyond their wartime exploits.
Level C1AdventureThe Brighton Boys in the Argonne ForestAmid the grit and glory of World War I, American soldiers from Brighton Academy return to the front lines with unyielding courage and camaraderie, ready to face the horrors of batt…
Level C1AdventureThe Bravest of the Brave — or, with Peterborough in SpainAmidst the turbulent War of the Spanish Succession, a daring general with a fiery temper and unmatched genius faces both battlefield dangers and personal conflicts, while a young g…
Level B2Children'sThe Bravest Girl in SchoolTwo sisters’ quiet afternoon is upended by the unexpected arrival of their glamorous aunt from Australia, bringing excitement and mystery to their humble home.
Level C1HistoricalThe Boys' and Girls' Plutarch: Being Parts of the "Lives" of Plutarch, Edited for Boys and GirlsJourney alongside Theseus, son of Aegeus, as he lifts a hidden sword and shoes, setting out through perilous lands rife with robbers and warriors, destined to fulfill his legendary…
Level B2Children'sThe Boys' Life of Mark TwainFollow the humble beginnings of a boy growing up in the early 19th century American frontier, whose adventurous spirit and vivid imagination set him on a path to becoming a beloved…
Level B2MysteryThe Boys of the Wireless; Or, A Stirring Rescue from the DeepInventive Tom Barnes experiments with wireless telegraphy in his small town, but when crucial equipment goes missing, he and his friends must unravel the mystery and prove their sk…
Level C1HistoricalThe Boys of Old Monmouth: A Story of Washington's Campaign in New Jersey in 1778Amid the lush landscapes of Old Monmouth, New Jersey, witness the fierce struggles and steadfast courage of its patriots during Washington's 1778 campaign.
Level C1AdventureThe Boys of Grand Pré School: IllustratedA group of adventurous boys uncover hidden treasures, face mysterious sounds, and navigate thrilling challenges in the wilderness and historic sites, blending friendship and courag…
Level B2AdventureThe Boys of Crawford's Basin: The Story of a Mountain Ranch in the Early Days of ColoradoIn the rugged Colorado mountains of the 1870s, two hardworking young ranchers face off against Big Reuben, a notorious grizzly bear terrorizing their community.
Level B2AdventureThe Boys of Bellwood School; Or, Frank Jordan's TriumphTrapped under the watchful eye of a harsh aunt and longing for freedom, Frank Jordan’s world shifts when he witnesses a tense standoff between a runaway boy and a menacing relative…
Level C1RomanceThe Boy's King Arthur: Sir Thomas Malory's History of King Arthur and His Knights of the Round TableA young boy raised as a nobleman's ward unknowingly fulfills a divine prophecy by drawing a magical sword from stone, revealing himself as the rightful king of England and setting…
Level B2AdventureThe Boy's Book of the SeaExplore the dramatic evolution of naval warfare from wooden ships to steel battleships, tracing iconic confrontations like Trafalgar and World War I’s North Sea battles.
Level B2AdventureThe Boy's Book of HeroesA rebellious Anglo-Saxon youth named Hereward is outlawed and embarks on thrilling adventures across medieval England and beyond.
Level C1AdventureThe Boy who sailed with BlakeThree young friends in a quiet coastal town find themselves drawn into the turbulent struggle for civil and religious liberty during England’s Civil War, inspired by the steadfast…
Level B2AdventureThe Boy in the BushA fearless fourteen-year-old boy defies a notorious bushranger's threats to seize their prized mare, defending his family's remote Australian station in a wild land where lawlessne…