Children's
Read Children's Classics in English
5,949 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'sTales of Passed TimesA princess is cursed to fall into a hundred-year sleep after pricking her hand on a spindle, but a secret fairy’s blessing promises a prince’s awakening.
Level C1Children'sTales of Laughter: A third fairy bookIn a world where a proud rat family seeks the perfect match for their beautiful daughter, they journey from the sun to the wind to the steadfast wall, discovering surprising truths…
Level B2AdventureTales of Folk and FairiesA humble lad named Ashipattle faces scorn and hardship until a monstrous Stoorworm threatens the kingdom, prompting a desperate quest to save the princess and the realm.
Level C1AdventureTales of Daring and DangerIn the rugged Ghauts of India, a young officer faces the dangers of bear hunting and deadly bandits known as Dacoits, as tensions rise and wild adventures unfold amidst treacherous…
Level B2AdventureTales from the Works of G. A. HentySurvivors of a deadly fever-stricken ship plead for rescue aboard a whaling vessel navigating the South Seas, where storms and hostile encounters test their courage and survival.
Level C1Children'sTales from the Lands of Nuts and Grapes (Spanish and Portuguese Folklore)A poor but ingenious student rallies his equally impoverished friends for a daring scheme on the roads of Spain, promising a prize worth more than gold if they dare to seize it.
Level C1Children'sTales from the Hindu DramatistsIn a mystical hermitage, King Dushyanta falls deeply in love with the beautiful maiden Sakuntala, leading to a secret marriage and a promise of union.
Level C1Children'sTales from the Fjeld: A Second Series of Popular TalesVenture into the rugged Norwegian fjeld where ancient tales come alive, blending myth and humor through stories of cunning wives, mysterious fathers, and magical adventures that re…
Level C1Children'sTales from the Arabic — CompleteIn the bustling Khalifate of Haroun er Reshid, a young merchant squanders his inheritance and turns to strangers for fleeting friendship, setting the stage for a night that will ch…
Level B2AdventureTales from Spenser, Chosen from the Faerie QueeneIn a realm where magic and valor intertwine, a humble young knight dons enchanted armor to aid Una, a brave princess seeking to free her captive parents from a fearsome dragon.
Level C1Children'sTales from ShakespeareOn a remote island, Prospero, a learned magician, and his innocent daughter Miranda live among enchanted spirits freed from a witch’s curse, weaving magic and mystery into their is…
Level C1Children'sTales for Fifteen; Or, Imagination and HeartA young girl's vivid imagination, fueled by romantic novels, leads her to believe her fantasies are real, blurring the line between reality and fiction in a charming, whimsical tal…
Level C1Children'sTales and Novels — Volume 01: Moral TalesA young man shuns society's polished manners, valuing independence and sincerity above all, while a collection of moral tales explores virtue, education, and the challenges of grow…
Level B2AdventureTales From Scottish BalladsAn old, blind harper from Lochmaben, thought simple by his neighbors, sets out on a daring quest to steal the English king’s prized brown horse, relying on his wits, his loyal mare…
Level B2Children'sTales From Catland, for Little KittensIn a grand palace where a princess understands the language of animals, two very different cats—stern Glumdalkin and lively Friskarina—navigate their curious adventures, secrets, a…
Level B2AdventureTaking Tales: Instructive and Entertaining ReadingIn a village where good water and clean air prevail, mysterious fevers still strike, prompting Farmer Grey to uncover hidden dangers lurking beneath the cottages.
Level B1Children'sTaken or leftIn a bustling household of ten brothers and one cherished little sister, young Peter navigates family struggles and the heavy burdens his mother bears, determined to protect and ca…
Level C1AdventureTaken by the EnemyA wealthy captain returns from a cruise to shocking news that unsettles his normally composed demeanor, setting the stage for a gripping tale of conflict and loyalty amid the linge…
Level B2Children'sTad Coon's TricksIn a lively woodland where every creature plays a role, clever dogs sing haunting hunting songs that stir the forest to life, while a rabbit and his friends grapple with the myster…
Level B2AdventureTad Coon's Great AdventureLost in the woods, Tad Coon’s friends rally the woodland creatures for a daring rescue, while Nibble Rabbit discovers unexpected love and new challenges in the Deep Woods.
Level B2Children'sTabby's travelsA mischievous tortoiseshell kitten named Tabby navigates the warmth and trials of a bustling kitchen, where playful antics lead to unexpected adventures and lessons about curiosity…
Level B2FantasySylvie and BrunoIn a whimsical realm where protests for "Less Bread!
Level B2RomanceSydney Lisle, the Heiress of St. QuentinOn a rainy London afternoon, young Sydney Lisle eagerly awaits the arrival of her family, clutching a letter that promises her first literary success and a guinea prize—launching h…
Level B2HistoricalSyd Belton: The Boy Who Would Not Go to SeaA spirited boy from a proud naval family shocks his stern uncles by refusing the sea life expected of him, revealing his surprising ambition to become a doctor instead.
Level C1AdventureSwiss Heroes: An Historical Romance of the Time of Charles the BoldAmidst the turbulent ambitions of Charles the Bold, three Swiss heroes rise to defend their homeland, weaving courage, sacrifice, and fierce patriotism into a gripping tale set aga…
Level C1AdventureSwift and Sure: The Story of a HydroplaneIn the tangled wilderness of a South American river, a jaguar’s haunting roar draws a sinister audience of alligators as a mysterious journey begins, promising adventure amid untam…
Level B2AdventureSwept Out to Sea; Or, Clint Webb Among the WhalersA tense fishing trip turns into a life-changing adventure when a quarrel between cousins aboard the sloop Wavecrest sets off a chain of unexpected events on the open sea.
Level A2PoetrySweets for Leisure Hours: Amusing Tales for Little ReadersDelight in charming tales and gentle poems accompanied by colorful engravings, inviting young readers to explore kindness, contentment, and imagination through familiar stories and…
Level B2Children'sSweet P'sAn eight-year-old girl faces the overwhelming attention and endless gifts at her grand birthday gathering, while quietly pondering the puzzling contrasts of her privileged yet lone…
Level B2Children'sSweet ContentA delicate baby survives a devastating scarlet fever outbreak that claims her siblings, leaving her family forever changed.
Level B1AdventureSwatty: A Story of Real BoysThree boys navigate schoolyard battles, family dramas, and a fierce teacher known for her stinging punishments.
Level C1Children'sSuzanna stirs the fireAn imaginative young girl transforms her ordinary morning into a magical kingdom where she reigns as a princess, inviting her little sister to join in a world where everyday life g…
Level B2Children'sSusan: A Story for ChildrenLeft behind while her family journeys to care for her ailing brother, young Susan faces a winter with a mysterious and unfamiliar aunt by the seaside.
Level B2Children'sSusan and Edward; Or, A Visit to Fulton MarketTwo curious children explore the bustling Fulton Market in early 19th-century New York, discovering lively stalls filled with fresh meats, fish, exotic turtles, and vibrant fruits.
Level B1AdventureSure Pop and the Safety ScoutsA spirited boy named Bob dreams of adventure but learns the true meaning of safety when a mysterious scout named Sure Pop saves him from a near accident.
Level C1Children'sSupplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 6 (of 6)Dive into a rich collection of enchanting tales from the supplemental Arabian Nights, featuring cunning sages, mysterious warlocks, and royal intrigues set in ancient Baghdad and b…
Level C1AdventureSupplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 5 (of 6)Dive into a tapestry of enchanting tales featuring kings, lovers, cunning thieves, and brave adventurers spanning hundreds of nights, where mystery, romance, and intrigue unfold in…
Level C1Children'sSupplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 4 (of 6)Dive into a rich tapestry of enchanting tales filled with sultans, sharpers, lunatics, and scholars, where each night unveils new adventures, mysteries, and wisdom from ancient lan…
Level C1Children'sSupplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 3 (of 6) Part 2A restless Caliph disguises himself to explore his city incognito, encountering mysterious figures and strange rituals that hint at deeper tales and hidden truths within Baghdad’s…
Level C1AdventureSupplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 3 (of 6) Part 1Delve into a rich collection of retranslated tales from the Gallandian Nights, blending French, Arabic, and Hindustani influences to reveal the true origins and vibrant storytellin…
Level C1FantasySupplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 3 (of 6)Dive into a rich tapestry of fantastical tales unfolding over hundreds of nights, where legendary adventures and mysterious characters weave an enchanting world beyond the original…
Level C1Children'sSupplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 2 (of 6)Dive into a rich tapestry of enchanting tales featuring clever thieves, noble kings, and whimsical jesters, where mysteries unfold through the stories of sixteen captains of police…
Level C1AdventureSupplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 1 (of 6)Dive into a rich tapestry of enchanting tales filled with kings, merchants, poets, and wise men, exploring themes of fate, patience, and justice in a world where destiny unfolds th…
Level B2AdventureSunshine and snowAt Firdene School, Charley Gordon excels in academics and athletics, facing fierce competitions and unexpected challenges during a winter day’s paper-chase.
Level C1PhilosophySunshine JaneA radiant young woman returns to a sleepy village, unknowingly poised to ignite profound change and uncover life's deepest lessons.
Level B1Children'sSunshine FactoryWhen rain ruins little Jennie’s plans, her inventive Uncle Jack teaches her three simple rules to create happiness indoors, turning a gloomy day into a joyful adventure filled with…
Level B2AdventureSunshine BillA spirited boy known as Sunshine Bill navigates hardship and loss with unbreakable cheer, taking on odd jobs to support his struggling family by the sea.
Level B1AdventureSunny Boy in the CountryA cheerful boy named Sunny Boy loves drumming and helping around the house, but when his drum rolls into the street, a kind stranger's rescue sparks a day full of small adventures…