Children's
Read Children's Classics in English
5,947 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 A2Children'sSunny Boy and His PlaymatesSunny Boy is eager to master his new ice skates with the help of Grandpa Horton, while sharing playful adventures and Christmas treasures with his friend Nelson.
Level C1AdventureSunk at SeaBorn with an unquenchable thirst for adventure, young William Osten defies all limits, crawling into danger and mischief from infancy.![Cover of Sunday sunshine by Catharine [Editor] Shaw](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dabo3q09638s73a341ng.webp)
Level A2Children'sSunday sunshineIn a quiet, dusty corner near a bustling Indian city, a small Hindu girl in a red sari sits patiently atop a mud house, her sad eyes hinting at a deeper story as the sun sets in a…
Level C1HistoricalSunday at Home (From "Twice Told Tales")Each Sabbath morning, a quiet observer watches the church steeple as it awakens with the sunrise, embodying the town’s spirit and marking the sacred stillness of Sunday.
Level B2AdventureSummer DaysAs summer begins, Alice Grey eagerly leaves the scorching city for her family’s cottage at Sandy Shore, where friendship and adventure with Susy Lee promise a delightful escape fil…
Level B2PoetrySugar and Spice: Comical Tales Comically DressedChildren transform daily chores into lively adventures, from playful parties to inventive boot-making and garden games, revealing the joy and lessons hidden in everyday moments.
Level B2Children'sSue, A Little HeroineIn a gritty London neighborhood, young Sue navigates tough streets and rough characters, drawn to the inspiring sermons of a street preacher.
Level A2Children'sSuch a happy dayEarly morning adventures lead young Cyril and his family to a golden wedding celebration, while a determined flower girl named Bella sells her blooms in the bustling city, each wea…
Level C1Children'sStuyvesant: A Franconia StoryIn a peaceful mountain village, young cousins Phonny and Malleville discover the power of kindness and example through simple, everyday adventures—like storytelling to a kitten and…
Level B2Children'sSturdy and Strong; Or, How George Andrews Made His WayYoung George Andrews faces hardship when his mother must enter a workhouse infirmary due to failing health, leaving him alone and determined to rise above adversity through perseve…
PoetryStruwwelpeter: Merry Stories and Funny PicturesDive into a collection of whimsical and cautionary tales where mischievous children face humorous consequences for their antics, brought to life through lively verses and vivid, un…
Level B2AdventureStruggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's LuckIn a small village, a determined boy with humble means challenges the privileged son of a wealthy banker to a daring skating race for a prized watch, setting the stage for a story…
Level B1Children'sStrong and Steady; Or, Paddle Your Own CanoeA privileged boy from a wealthy family faces sudden poverty and resolves to "paddle his own canoe," determined to succeed through hard work and perseverance at the Essex Classical…
Level B2Children'sStrive and Thrive; or, Stories for the Example and Encouragement of the YoungTwo boys face a life-or-death test of courage when their friend breaks through thin ice while skating.
Level B2Children'sStrive and Succeed; or, The Progress of Walter ConradA determined young boy adopts a new identity to investigate a suspicious mining company's downfall and uncover hidden truths.
Level B2AdventureStrange Stories of the Great Valley: The Adventures of a Boy PioneerA boy pioneer in 1816 Ohio navigates the wilderness on a flatboat, seeking fortune and safety amidst the untamed frontier.
Level B2AdventureStrange Stories of the Great River: The Adventures of a Boy ExplorerA spirited boy explorer joins daring French adventurers navigating the mysterious Great River, encountering wild tribes, untamed landscapes, and strange legends that shape the dest…
Level C1AdventureStrange Stories from History for Young PeopleUncover daring tales of forgotten history where British plots, Seminole alliances, and a rogue bandit’s fortress challenge the early American frontier.
Level B2Children'sStraight forward; or, walking in the lightAt school, Lucy’s steadfast refusal to spend beyond her means contrasts sharply with her peers’ impulsive debts, sparking a moral tale about honesty, self-control, and walking in t…
Level B2Children'sStory-Tell LibIn a quiet mountain village, a fragile, crippled girl known as Story-Tell Lib captivates her neighbors with simple, heartfelt tales that teach gentle truths without preaching.
Level B2AdventureStorm-Bound; or, A Vacation Among the Snow DriftsFour Boy Scouts embark on a winter adventure to surprise a reclusive uncle in a remote snowbound forest, but when they lose their way, their scouting skills and teamwork are put to…
Level B2Children'sStories told by the millerOrphaned siblings Janet and Peter endure harsh days with their cruel grandmother near the mysterious mill by the pool.
Level B2Children'sStories of the Old WorldA young hero, Jason, embarks on a perilous quest to retrieve the legendary Golden Fleece, assembling a band of extraordinary warriors and facing divine challenges on the voyage of…
Level B2Children'sStories of the Nibelungen for Young PeopleIn a kingdom ruled by a wise king, his willful son Siegfried sets out to seek his fortune and discovers a mysterious blacksmith and a deadly forest monster.
Level C1RomanceStories of the Days of King ArthurStep into a world where Merlin’s magic weaves through tales of King Arthur’s rise, the legendary Round Table, and knightly quests filled with chivalry, enchantment, and timeless ro…
Level B2Children'sStories of a GovernessFour children, still mourning their mother, eagerly await their new governess, whose quiet grace and gentle presence may bring warmth and guidance to their lonely home amid the ble…
Level B1AdventureStories of Siegfried, Told to the ChildrenHidden away in a magical forest under the care of a dwarf blacksmith, a young prince named Siegfried grows strong and fearless, embarking on adventures filled with mysterious creat…
Level B2AdventureStories of Robin HoodIn a land ruled by cruel Normans, young Robin Hood vows to fight injustice by stealing from greedy lords to aid the starving poor.
Level B2Children'sStories of Old Greece and RomeStep into a world where gods rule from shining Olympus and mighty heroes shape the fate of mankind.
Level B2PoetryStories of Many LandsJourney across continents to meet children from England to China, discovering that despite cultural differences, their joys, mischiefs, and dreams are remarkably alike.
Level C1RomanceStories of King Arthur and His Knights: Retold from Malory's "Morte dArthur"Step into a world of noble knights and chivalrous deeds as King Arthur and his legendary Round Table embark on quests filled with honor, valor, and the sacred pursuit of the Holy G…
Level C1HistoricalStories of Invention, Told by Inventors and their FriendsDive into inspiring tales of creativity and discovery, guided by inventors and their friends, encouraging young readers to explore public libraries and unlock the power of original…
Level B2HistoricalStories of Heroic Deeds for Boys and Girls: Historical Series - Book IIDiscover timeless tales of gods, mortals, and moral lessons that bring history to life—where divine encounters spark justice, music contests reveal pride, and kindness shines amid…
Level B2FantasyStories of EnchantmentIn a hidden mountain valley where reality and enchantment intertwine, a white-haired girl named Snow-flower grows up among a Native tribe, caught between two worlds and the mysteri…
Level B2AdventureStories of ChildhoodOrphaned boy Nello and his loyal dog Patrasche forge an unbreakable bond in a humble Flemish village, where hardship and kindness intertwine beneath the watchful eyes of an aging w…
Level B1Children'sStories of BirdsDiscover the enchanting world of birds through charming stories and poems that bring nature’s feathered friends to life, as a curious girl befriends a cheerful chickadee on a snowy…
Level B2HistoricalStories of Animal SagacityDiscover the cleverness of animals as they use reason and perseverance to solve problems, from a cat who learns to knock on a door to gain entry, to other tales revealing surprisin…
Level C1HistoricalStories of American Life and AdventureJourney into early America where a troubled English boy lives among Native tribes, navigates colonial strife, and witnesses the harsh realities of frontier life, revealing the spir…
Level B2Children'sStories from the Iliad; Or, the siege of TroyAmidst gods’ rivalries and mortal passions, a golden apple sparks a legendary conflict as Paris’s choice ignites the decade-long siege of Troy, where heroes rise and kingdoms clash…
Level B1AdventureStories from the Faerie Queen, Told to the ChildrenIn a kingdom ravaged by a fearsome dragon, the brave and beautiful princess Una seeks the Faerie Queen’s help, embarking on a perilous journey with the fearless Red Cross Knight to…
Level B2Children'sStories from SwitzerlandYoung readers discover the joy and wisdom found in the Bible through heartfelt stories of children learning to read and share its teachings in the Swiss countryside, inspiring kind…
Level C1HistoricalStories from LivyTwin sons of a deposed king grow up as shepherds, unaware of their royal heritage, until fate and fierce loyalty lead them to reclaim their rightful throne in ancient Alba.
Level B2Children'sStories from Hans AndersenA wicked demon creates a mirror that distorts beauty and goodness, shattering into shards that twist the world’s view and freeze hearts like ice.
Level C1Children'sStories from Everybody's MagazineAn imaginative eleven-year-old girl, enchanted by romantic novels, secretly falls for her college-aged neighbor and weaves vivid fantasies of love while navigating her lively seasi…
Level B1HistoricalStories from English HistoryJourney back to ancient Britain, where fierce tribes clash with ambitious Roman invaders in a land of wild forests and untamed warriors.
Level C1Children'sStories for the Young; Or, Cheap Repository Tracts: Entertaining, Moral, and Religious. Vol. VI.A cunning poacher and his family survive on the moor through beggary, trickery, and theft, struggling between sloth and survival.
Level B1PoetryStories for children: A book for all little girls and boysFollow Corinne as she discovers the enchanting Fairy of the Rose, who rewards her innocence with magical gifts and sweet songs, teaching the joys of kindness and obedience in a wor…
Level C1Children'sStories for HelenA mischievous girl’s careless words spark unintended consequences at home, teaching valuable lessons about discretion and kindness.