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 C1Children'sShort Stories of the New America: Interpreting the America of this age to high school boys and girlsExplore vivid tales that bring to life the hopes, struggles, and ideals shaping modern America, inspiring young readers to understand and engage with their nation's spirit through…![Cover of Short Stories of Various Types by Laura F. [Editor] Freck](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dagmhr6icedc739b69c0.webp)
Level C1Children'sShort Stories of Various TypesDive into a diverse collection of tales that spark adventure, humor, and human emotion—each crafted to captivate young readers with vivid settings from bustling cities to open coun…
Level C1Children'sShort Stories for High SchoolsExplore a curated collection of short stories tailored for high school readers, blending timeless classics with vibrant modern tales that capture the swift pace and diverse experie…
Level B1PoetryShining HoursStep into a world where childhood imagination and simple wonders come alive—from a little girl’s loyal love for her old doll to a curious cat’s baffling encounter with a mysterious…
Level C1AdventureShifting Winds: A Tough YarnAmid a fierce coastal storm, a fisher family's tense vigil reveals deep worries and wild emotions, while a retired naval captain reflects on his modest life and the urgent need to…
Level B2Children'sShifting For Himself; or, Gilbert Greyson's FortunesA determined boy faces sudden poverty just as he prepares for college, forcing him to leave his dreams behind and embrace hard work.
Level B2Children'sShells and pebbles: A story for childrenAn eight-year-old boy from inland England discovers the wonders of the sea during a winter visit to the coast, exploring beaches, marine birds, and ships while learning about the o…
Level B2AdventureShelled by an Unseen FoeThree young cadets wrestle with duty, family, and war as one plans a daring return to England amid global conflict, while another faces a personal crisis that could change everythi…
Level B2Children'sSheer Off: A TaleIn a village stirred by the christening of the school-master’s first child, tensions simmer as envy and old grievances clash.
Level B2Children'sShawn of SkarrowA spirited boy named Shawn spends his days fishing and causing mischief until a kind woman offers to support his dream of becoming a doctor.
Level B1AdventureSharp Eyes, the Silver Fox: His Many AdventuresIn the heart of the North Woods, Sharp Eyes and his siblings learn the cunning craft of survival from their clever father, as they prepare to face the wild and outwit dangers lurki…
Level C1HistoricalShanty the Blacksmith; a Tale of Other TimesIn a fading borderland castle, a restless young heir struggles between lofty dreams and harsh realities, turning to invention and the local blacksmith to revive his family's fortun…
Level B2HistoricalShaggycoat: The Biography of a BeaverFollow the life of a beaver whose industrious nature shapes forests and meadows, intertwining with Native American traditions and the relentless expansion of the fur trade that fue…
Level B1AdventureShaggo, the Mighty Buffalo: His Many AdventuresA mighty buffalo named Shaggo lives peacefully in a protected national park, yet his strange recent behavior intrigues his curious young companions as they venture together to the…
Level B2MysteryShadow, the Mysterious DetectiveOn a stormy night, a mysterious murder shocks the city, drawing Detective Howard into a dark investigation where danger lurks and secrets threaten to unravel.
Level C1Children'sSeven daughtersIn a lively household filled with seven daughters, the joys and challenges of girlhood unfold through humor, family dynamics, and dreams of love, all set against the backdrop of a…
Level B2Children'sSeven Xmas EvesTwo ragged, starving children, Nick and Nan, cling to each other for survival in a grim London attic, their mysterious pasts unfolding through the eyes of a kind washerwoman who wa…
Level B1Children'sSeven O'Clock StoriesThree happy children with unusual names live a joyful country life filled with curious animals, playful adventures, and the simple wonders of nature.
Level B2FantasySeven Little People and their FriendsSeven Little People embark on enchanting adventures beneath the sea and beyond, guided by mysterious wishes granted on their birthdays.
Level B2AdventureSeven Frozen SailorsA determined captain and a secretive doctor assemble a rugged crew for a daring Arctic expedition, disguised as a sealing voyage.
Level B2AdventureSettlers and Scouts: A Tale of the African HighlandsA father and son embark on a daring journey to the untamed highlands of British East Africa, seeking new beginnings amid wild landscapes, exotic wildlife, and the challenges of pio…
Level B2AdventureSeth Jones; or, The Captives of the FrontierIn the untamed wilderness of early America, a rugged woodman’s peaceful life is interrupted by the arrival of a mysterious stranger from New Hampshire.
Level B2MysterySergeant Silk, the Prairie ScoutA skilled scout and a young gentleman cross the vast Canadian prairie, where a mysterious stranger accused of a crime seeks the help of a North-West Mounted Police sergeant to clea…
Level B2Children'sSerbian Fairy TalesA boy born of a bear and a woman sets out from his cave, wielding a mighty club, to explore a world filled with strange challenges and fierce rivals—including a formidable suitor n…
Level B2HistoricalSentimental Tommy: The Story of His BoyhoodIn a gritty London stairwell, young Tommy navigates childhood with a vivid imagination and a guarded spirit shaped by loss and hardship.
Level B2Children'sSelf-Denial; or, Alice Wood, and Her Missionary SocietyIn a charming village school, Alice Wood inspires her classmates to form a Missionary Society, sacrificing small pleasures to raise funds for spreading the Bible and aiding distant…
Level B1Children'sSeeking his fortune, and other dialoguesA determined young man leaves his rural home, dreaming of city life and fortune in bustling Bostown, despite his parents' worries and warnings about the challenges ahead.
Level B2AdventureSeek and Find; or, The Adventures of a Smart BoyA sharp-witted boy named Ernest Thornton embarks on a thrilling adventure after rescuing a frightened young girl who leaps into a lake, sparking a mysterious and daring quest along…
Level B2AdventureSecrets of the AndesTwo friends survive a harrowing car accident deep in the wilderness and face a desperate trek to safety through the rugged Andes.
Level C1Children'sSecond Book of TalesJourney back to post-war Kansas aboard the rickety Han'bul 'nd St.
Level A2AdventureScouting with Kit CarsonTwo weary riders pause at a mountain spring, wary of the rugged Rockies and the hidden dangers—wild beasts and hostile tribes—that lie ahead.
Level B2MysteryScott Burton on the RangeAn eager newcomer to the rugged West encounters a seasoned old rancher whose tales of fierce rivalries and vast mountain ranges reveal a land shaped by courage, conflict, and the r…
Level B2Children'sScott Burton in the Blue RidgeAssigned to manage timber sales in the mysterious Blue Ridge Mountains, Scott Burton faces a new challenge far from his familiar southwestern terrain.
Level B2MysteryScott Burton and the Timber ThievesA determined forest patrolman arrives in Florida to track down elusive timber thieves plundering the Okalatchee woods, armed with little more than a vague letter and his own grit.
Level B2HistoricalSchoolgirl rivalsAn Australian girl ventures into the unfamiliar world of an English boarding school, where spirited classmates and fierce competitions test her courage and resolve.
Level C1HistoricalSchool-days in 1800Step back to 1800 through the vivid memories of a 90-year-old grandmother, who recounts lessons in both practical skills and traditional schooling, revealing education and daily li…
Level C1Children'sScenes in SwitzerlandJourney through the autumnal Swiss Alps, where misty mountains, ancient legends, and charming villages come alive alongside warm friendships and timeless traditions.
Level B2RomanceScandalIn a dazzling New York summer, Beatrix Vanderdyke, society's brightest debutante, defies expectations by secretly consorting with Sutherland York, a charming yet controversial port…
Level B2Children'sScamp and I: A Story of City By-WaysIn bustling 1875 London, a quick-witted ragged boy named Dick leads his sister Flo on a daring adventure through the city's dazzling shops and lively streets, dreaming of riches an…
Level B2AdventureSaved from the Sea; Or, The Loss of the Viper, and her Crew's Saharan AdventuresAfter surviving a shipwreck off the African coast, a young linguist embarks on a perilous journey through the Sahara, guided by his passion for languages and the unexpected friends…
Level B2AdventureSaved by the LifeboatAmid a fierce November storm, a newly arrived lifeboat faces its ultimate test as a brig is stranded on treacherous sands, prompting brave sailors and townsfolk to confront nature’…
Level B2Children'sSaved by loveIn the shadowed streets of London, two young girls—one an orphaned dreamer, the other a street-smart survivor—forge an unlikely friendship as they navigate loss, hardship, and the…
Level B2AdventureSaved at seaBorn during a fierce storm on a remote island lighthouse, young Alick Fergusson grows up amidst the wild sea and rugged isolation, dreaming of one day taking over his grandfather’s…
Level B2Children'sSasha the serf, and other stories of Russian lifeIn a Russian village under the rule of a distant baron, young Sasha the serf wrestles with questions of ownership, freedom, and the wild forest that surrounds him—where even a bear…
Level B1HistoricalSaratoga National Historical Park Junior Ranger ProgramStep into the heart of the American Revolution at Saratoga National Historical Park, where you become a Junior Ranger exploring the 1777 campaign that turned the tide against Briti…
Level B2Children'sSarah's School FriendIn a grand Yorkshire mansion, spirited Sarah challenges her family’s traditional views and clashes with her mother and brother over respect, education, and the roles of women—spark…
Level B2Children'sSara, a Princess: The Story of a Noble GirlIn a humble fishing village, young Sara balances household duties and her thirst for learning, determined to honor her late mother's wish for an education despite the hardships her…
Level B2Children'sSara Crewe; Or, What Happened at Miss Minchin's Boarding SchoolAt Miss Minchin's Select Seminary, Sara Crewe arrives wealthy and cherished, but when her fortune vanishes and her father dies, she faces harsh realities and cold cruelty, revealin…