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.
- 6,041
- books
Level B2Children'sOur Frank: and other storiesIn a quiet Buckinghamshire village, Mrs.
Level B2AdventureOur Fellows; Or, Skirmishes with the Swamp DragoonsTwin brothers Joseph and Mark, inseparable and often mistaken for each other, navigate life on a vast plantation filled with wild beasts, fierce dogs, and adventures alongside thei…
Level C1HistoricalOur Fathers Have Told Us: Part I. The Bible of AmiensAmidst political unrest and a call for justice, a young English governess seeks to inspire her pupils with a history that reveals the courage and virtue behind Britain's past, chal…
Level B2Children'sOur DenWhen Edric, a delicate boy recovering from illness, faces a boisterous invasion of cousins turning the tower room into a wild "den," he must navigate fear, family, and the hope tha…
Level B2Children'sOur Davie PepperYoung Davie Pepper navigates charming small-town life, helping neighbors while hiding secret jars of quince sass.
Level C1Children'sOur Christmas partyAs Christmas Eve approaches, preparations for a lively party bring together old friends and spirited young guests in a cozy house filled with laughter, costumes, and holiday cheer.
Level B2Children'sOur Children: Scenes from the Country and the TownA young girl’s joyful visit to her grandmother’s cozy country home unfolds into a tender exploration of family, nature, and timeless tales, where birds sing and stories of enchante…
Level B2AdventureOur Boys: Entertaining Stories by Popular AuthorsYoung readers embark on enchanting adventures filled with imaginative tales, from a boy crafting a magical cat-tail arrow to the mysterious origins of Christmas presents in a conve…
Level B2FantasyOswald Bastable and OthersTwo brothers' playful bet over a fives ball leads to a mysterious disappearance and a leaking greenhouse that invites unexpected adventures.
Level B2Children'sOscar; Or, The Boy Who Had His Own WayA bright but stubborn boy, Oscar is used to getting his own way, but his headstrong habits lead to trouble at home, school, and beyond.
Level B2AdventureOscar in AfricaA determined young American ventures into the untamed African interior on a daring sporting expedition, facing suspicion and sabotage from local speculators who want to block his p…
Level C1HistoricalOrville College: A StoryAt Orville College, near London, students return for a new term at a sprawling, uneven school led by the warm-hearted Dr.
Level C1RomanceOriole's daughter, a novel, Volume 3 (of 3)At Yewridge Hall, the Marchmonts grapple with illness, societal expectations, and the weight of appearances, as Fulvia navigates sleepless nights and strained hopes for acceptance…
Level C1Children'sOriole's daughter, a novel, Volume 2 (of 3)Caught in a web of family tension and unspoken desires, a young woman’s delicate health and spirit become the battleground for love, power, and control.
Level C1Children'sOriole's daughter, a novel, Volume 1 (of 3)An English sculptor in Rome wrestles with loss and independence as she pursues her art amid the city's timeless beauty and social challenges.
Level C1Children'sOriginal stories from real life: With conversations, calculated to regulate the affections, and form the mind to truth and goodness.Two young girls, Mary and Caroline, learn to shed their careless prejudices and cultivate kindness and truth under the patient guidance of Mrs.
Level C1Children'sOriental tales, for the entertainment of youth: Selected from the most eminent English writersTwo brothers face fortune and misfortune after their merchant father’s death—one cast out, the other prospering—leading to a tale of rivalry, redemption, and unexpected reconciliat…
Level C1AdventureOrange and Green: A Tale of the Boyne and LimerickAmid the ruins of Castle Davenant, young Walter Davenant navigates the fierce aftermath of Cromwell's conquest in Ireland, where land is seized, loyalties are divided, and ancient…
Level B2RomanceOpposite neighboursTwo soon-to-be-married couples prepare to start new lives as neighbors on Myrtle Street, where friendships, hopes, and hidden challenges bloom alongside their gardens.
Level B2Children'sOpportunitiesA young girl’s gentle spirit shines through a challenging morning as she navigates family tensions and reaches out to a troubled boy, discovering the promise of kindness and growth…
Level B2AdventureOpening the iron trailIn the thrilling race to build the transcontinental railroad, follow Terry Richards and his comrades as they battle the rugged plains and mountains, laying iron rails that will uni…
Level C1AdventureOonomoo the HuronIn the vibrant Ohio wilderness, a Dutchman married to a Shawnee widow navigates the challenges of family life amid the tensions and traditions of Native American village life, wher…
Level B2Children'sOnly an Irish Boy; Or, Andy Burke's FortunesA spirited Irish boy with a determined heart clashes with a proud young aristocrat as he seeks work and a place to belong in a new village, standing up for his family and himself a…
Level B1AdventureOnly a farm boy; or, Dan Hardy's rise in lifeA determined farm boy toils under a harsh employer, dreaming of a better life after his mother's death leaves him penniless.
Level B2AdventureOne of the 28th: A Tale of WaterlooAmid family tensions and hidden pasts, a young boy arrives at Penfold Hall, stirring long-held secrets and challenging the authority of those who have ruled there for years.
Level B2AdventureOne of Clive's Heroes: A Story of the Fight for IndiaAmidst the turbulent years of 1754 to 1757, a young adventurer becomes entwined in the daring capture of Gheria and the fierce Battle of Plassey, navigating loyalty, honor, and the…
Level B2AdventureOn to Pekin; or, Old Glory in ChinaA young lieutenant is sent from Manila to join an international allied force combating the deadly Boxer rebellion in China, facing fierce battles to protect foreigners and restore…
Level B2Children'sOn the mountainA young girl wrestles with harsh judgments and neighborhood gossip about a troubled family, challenging her own beliefs and prejudices in a small community shadowed by secrets and…
Level C1Children'sOn the frontierAiling and seeking health, a traveler ventures into the untamed Northwest, facing the dangers of river desperadoes and the vibrant chaos aboard a Mississippi steamer.
Level B2AdventureOn the face of the floodA young boy troubled by his uncle’s mysterious behavior seeks refuge and guidance from trusted friends in a remote forest village, uncovering secrets that threaten his safety and c…
Level B2PoetryOn the Tree TopA miller’s daughter faces a deadly challenge: to spin straw into gold by sunrise or lose her life.
Level B2AdventureOn the Trail of Pontiac; Or, The Pioneer Boys of the OhioYoung pioneers Dave and Henry Morris navigate the uncertain peace after the French and Indian War, facing the wrath of Chief Pontiac and his allies as tensions ignite on the Ohio f…
Level B2AdventureOn the Pampas; Or, The Young SettlersA struggling English architect and his family decide to leave behind their crowded life for the vast, untamed Pampas, seeking new opportunities and a fresh start in the wilderness.
Level C1AdventureOn the Irrawaddy: A Story of the First Burmese WarCaught in the turmoil of the First Burmese War, a young boy faces a new life far from England, learning to navigate the challenges of empire, culture, and conflict along the perilo…
Level B2MysteryOn the Edge of the Arctic; Or, An Aeroplane in SnowlandTwo Canadian boys debut their innovative aeroplane, the "Spirit of the Wind," at Calgary's Stampede, hoping to prove its worth in the harsh Arctic wilderness.
Level B2AdventureOn the Border with Andrew JacksonIn the untamed Muscogee forests of 1812 Alabama, two young frontiersmen and a Cherokee brave navigate a wilderness filled with danger, mystery, and the looming threat of Red Stick…
Level C1AdventureOn the Banks of the AmazonBorn amid the towering, fiery volcanoes of Ecuador, a young boy with English and Spanish roots grows up surrounded by majestic Andean mountains and the mysteries they hold, setting…
Level B2Science FictionOn a lark to the planets: A sequel to "The wonderful electric elephant"Soaring beyond Earth’s atmosphere in a magical balloon, young travelers embark on a breathtaking journey through the solar system, encountering dazzling planets and mysterious cele…
Level B2AdventureOn Your Mark! A Story of College Life and AthleticsAmid the chill of a fading autumn evening, college athletes gather for a tense mile race where seasoned runners face off against ambitious freshmen, including a mysterious freshman…
Level B2Children'sOn Time; or, Bound to Get ThereAn enterprising young man seizes a chance to buy a bankrupt boat at auction, dreaming of turning it into a profitable pleasure craft for fishing and lake excursions, despite doubts…
Level C1AdventureOn The BlockadeA young naval officer, barely eighteen, takes command of the steamer Bronx amidst the tense backdrop of the Civil War’s Southern coast blockade.
Level C1AdventureOn Board the Esmeralda: Martin Leigh's Log - A Sea StoryAn orphaned boy, burdened by family cruelty and hardship, sets sail on a perilous voyage around Cape Horn, embarking on a sea adventure that will test his courage and shape his des…
Level B2Children'sOn Angels' WingsConfined to a turret-shaped window, little Violet watches the world pass by, her heart heavy with the loss of her mother and the burden of her difference.
Level B1AdventureOn Adventure IslandSoaring high above the countryside, daring pilot Terry Mapes embarks on a secret mission to South America, facing rival airmen, sabotage, and perilous skies to protect her family's…
Level B2MysteryOliver Bright's Search; or, The Mystery of a MineA determined young man embarks on a daring journey west to uncover the truth behind a mysterious mine tied to his ailing father's future.
Level B2PoetryOlive Leaves; Or, Sketches of CharacterA young boy’s secret defiance leads him to a perilous swim in a swift river, where danger and unexpected rescue by strangers test his courage and faith.
Level C1Children'sOld-Time StoriesA princess is blessed by fairies with every gift imaginable—until a spiteful old fairy curses her to prick her hand and fall into a hundred years of sleep.
Level C1Children'sOld-Fashioned Fairy TalesEnter a world where new fairy tales unfold with timeless themes—the weak outwitting the strong, wishes gone awry, and sprites yearning for humanity—each story crafted with brevity,…