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
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Level B2AdventureMpuke, Our Little African CousinJourney to the heart of Africa and meet Mpuke, a lively boy growing up in a vibrant village surrounded by nature, ancient traditions, and the challenges of tribal life.
Level B2Children'sMouser Cat's StoryOn a stormy day, a lonely woman finds unexpected company and captivating tales from Mrs.
Level B2Children'sMountain-Laurel and MaidenhairA delicate city girl arrives at a quiet mountain farmhouse, where a cheerful local girl offers friendship, fresh air, and the promise of healing amid wildflowers and peaceful woods…
Level C1Children'sMountain Moggy: The Stoning of the WitchA young midshipman climbs the rugged Welsh mountains, captivated by the wild beauty and a mysterious, mournful song rising from a desolate hut.
Level C1Children'sMoufflou, and other storiesIn a vibrant, bustling quarter of Florence, a spirited white poodle named Moufflou shares adventures with his young, kind-hearted master Lolo, a brave crippled boy whose love for l…
Level B2Children'sMou-Setsé: A Negro Hero; The Orphans' Pilgimage: A Story of Trust in GodIn the fortified African town of Eyeo, young Mou-Setsé grows up amidst rich traditions and looming threats as a neighboring tribe prepares to attack.
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt; or, The King of the Wheel: Motor Stories Thrilling Adventure Motor Fiction No 1.Tensions rise in a small town as Matt King, a top athlete and loyal friend, confronts the arrogant captain of the cross-country team to protect Susie from unwanted advances.
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Triumph; or, Three Speeds ForwardIn a Western town where speed and daring rule, Motor Matt and his inventive friends face shadowy rivals and secret societies determined to stop them from winning the thrilling Bord…
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Submarine; or, The Strange Cruise of the GrampusWhen Captain Nemo Jr.
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Short Circuit; or, The Mahout's VowIn a mysterious American town, a snake charmer and an enigmatic figure bound by a sacred vow ignite a dangerous adventure that intertwines exotic rituals with thrilling motor explo…
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Reverse; or, Caught in a Losing CauseCaught in a tense hideout, Motor Matt faces relentless foes plotting against him, as allies emerge from unexpected places and danger looms with every covert move in this thrilling…
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Red Flyer; or, On the High Gear: Motor Stories Thrilling Adventure Motor Fiction No. 6, April 3, 1909Stranded and struggling, a diverse group led by the mysterious Motor Matt faces dangers on rough roads and wild waters.
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Race; or, The Last Flight of the CometIn the rugged hills near Phoenix, daring Motor Matt takes a high-powered roadster for a spin with his restless friends, balancing speed, skill, and the thrill of adventure—all whil…
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Quest; or Three Chums in Strange WatersA daring young motor expert takes command of a submarine for a record-breaking deep dive, navigating perilous waters and complex machinery.
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Queer Find; or, The Secret of the Iron ChestYoung inventor Motor Matt and his daring friends navigate an eerie Louisiana bayou in their airship, drawn by mysterious cries for help near a blazing fire and a lone hut—where dan…
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Promise; or, The Wreck of the HawkMotor Matt, famed for his fearless motor exploits, appears cloaked in mystery and disguise along the New Orleans levee, sparking curiosity and suspicion among his friends as a cruc…
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Prize; or, The Pluck That WinsTwo determined boys—one Chinese, one African American—clash over a coveted job with the daring Motor Matt, sparking a spirited rivalry filled with humor, courage, and unexpected fr…
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Peril; or, Cast Away in the Bahamas: Motor Stories Thrilling Adventure Motor Fiction No. 12, May 15, 1909When a mysterious girl in distress confronts fierce, pirate-like men on an Atlantic City beach, young Carl Pretzel’s courage is put to the test—and a thrilling adventure unfolds in…
Level B2MysteryMotor Matt's Mystery; or, Foiling a Secret PlotIn a lively Western town, Motor Matt, a fearless and athletic lad, stumbles upon a chaotic clash involving a mischievous Dutch boy and eccentric locals—unraveling a secret plot tha…
Level B2MysteryMotor Matt's Mariner; or, Filling the Bill for BunceTwo friends, Motor Matt and cowboy Joe McGlory, stumble upon a mysterious moving-picture show depicting a sinister plot involving a priceless ruby known as the Eye of Buddha.
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Mandarin; or, Turning a Trick for Tsan TiTwo motorcyclists are drawn into a mysterious summons from Tsan Ti, a Chinese mandarin with a peculiar request and a tempting reward, leading them into a daring adventure filled wi…
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Make-and-Break; or, Advancing the Spark of FriendshipA mysterious letter shakes an old clerk in a shady loan office, hinting at secrets and danger linked to an absent broker.
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Make Up; or, Playing a New RôleAmid the quirky wonders of a traveling side-show, Motor Matt and his companions face unexpected chaos when a mischievous spark ignites trouble—testing loyalties and daring in a wor…
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Launch; or, A Friend in NeedA young motor enthusiast faces a crossroads between adventure and education when he meets a spirited stranger challenging him to a test of skill and friendship amid the windswept s…
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Hard Luck; or, The Balloon-House PlotA daring young sailor known as Motor Matt faces off against a band of thieves in a Western town, where stolen inventions and high-flying airships spark a thrilling battle between h…
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Engagement; or, On the Road with a ShowAmid the vibrant chaos of a traveling show near the Wabash River, a mischievous elephant, a feisty Chinese boy, and a quarrelsome German youth set the stage for adventure and unexp…
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Enemies; or, A Struggle for the Right: Motor Stories Thrilling Adventure Motor Fiction No. 22, July 24, 1909Motor Matt faces off against a dangerous clique in a high-stakes battle of wits and courage, where loyalties are tested and secrets lurk beneath the surface of fast cars and shadow…
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Double Trouble; or, The Last of the HoodooA daring journey unfolds when Motor Matt encounters treachery aboard a train carrying a priceless red jewel, setting off a thrilling chase involving cunning thieves, loyal friends,…
Level C1AdventureMotor Matt's Defiance; or, Around the HornA daring young motor enthusiast, known as "Mile-a-minute Matt," embarks on a high-stakes adventure navigating treacherous South American waters, where espionage and shifting allegi…
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Daring; or, True to His Friends: Motor Stories Thrilling Adventure Motor Fiction No. 2, March 6, 1909A fearless one-legged adventurer takes on a roaring new motor-cycle, sparking a thrilling race against danger and daring in a Western town.
Level B2MysteryMotor Matt's Daring Rescue; or, The Strange Case of Helen BradyIn a Western town shadowed by crime, Motor Matt—a fearless young motorist—and his allies face a tangled mystery when Helen Brady, daughter of a convicted thief, vanishes without a…
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Clue; or, The Phantom AutoTwo boys in the wilds of New Mexico encounter a ghostly white automobile that steers itself along a dangerous cliffside road—mysterious, silent, and driverless.
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's Close Call; or, The Snare of Don CarlosIn steamy Belize, daring Motor Matt and his loyal friends find themselves entangled in a dangerous snare set by the cunning Don Carlos, igniting a thrilling adventure of revolution…
Level B1AdventureMotor Matt's Air Ship; or, The Rival InventorsWhen curious boys Matt and Carl spot a mysterious air-ship called the Hawk, they uncover a battle between rival inventors—one honest, one criminal—and a daring adventure that could…
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt's "Century" Run; or, The Governor's CourierAn inventive ex-desperado readies his one-legged flight in a daring flying machine, aiming to amaze the town and win the governor’s favor, while a fiery red-headed boy watches nerv…
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt on the Wing; or, Flying for Fame and FortuneA daring young man answers a high-stakes ad to pilot a risky new aëroplane, aiming for fame and fortune despite the deadly fate of its inventor.
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt in Brazil; or, Under The AmazonA daring motor enthusiast and his loyal crew navigate a submarine through the treacherous Amazon and South American waters, facing mechanical failures and fierce sea creatures in a…
Level B2AdventureMotor Matt Makes Good; or, Another Victory For the Motor BoysAmidst the eerie fog off the Chilean coast, three adventurous boys aboard a submarine encounter mysterious glowing lights beneath the waves, sparking a daring chase to uncover secr…
Level B2AdventureMotor Boat Boys' River Chase; or, Six Chums Afloat and AshoreSix adventurous boys set off on their motorboats along the Mississippi River, ready for a thrilling Easter holiday cruise filled with mysteries surrounding a curious island known f…
Level B2AdventureMotor Boat Boys on the St. Lawrence: Or, Solving the Mystery of the Thousand IslandsFive adventurous boys, united by their love of motorboats and baseball, plan a secret summer cruise on the St.
Level B2AdventureMotor Boat Boys on the Great Lakes; or, Exploring the Mystic Isle of MackinacTwo boys exploring Michigan’s wilds face a charging bull, forcing quick wit and daring escapes.
Level B2AdventureMotor Boat Boys Mississippi Cruise; or, The Dash for DixieA group of determined boys set off on a thrilling motorboat race down the Mississippi, chasing a coveted silver cup and uncovering family secrets along the way.
Level B2AdventureMotor Boat Boys Down the Danube; or, Four Chums AbroadFour adventurous friends navigate the blue Danube, exploring Budapest’s vibrant streets and pondering the brewing tensions of Europe on the brink of war.
Level B2AdventureMotor Boat Boys Down the Coast; or, Through Storm and Stress to FloridaSix adventurous boys set off from Philadelphia in their motor boats, cruising down the Atlantic coast toward Florida.
Level B2AdventureMotor Boat Boys Among the Florida Keys; Or, The Struggle for the LeadershipAmidst the sunlit Florida Keys, a spirited fishing contest ignites between rival boys aboard their daring motor boats, each eager to claim leadership on a thrilling voyage from the…
Level B2AdventureMother's golden guineasIn the quiet village of Burdeck, a hardworking family’s careful savings—the mother’s golden guineas—promise security and hope amid humble lives and unexpected challenges in this he…
Level B2Children'sMother's Nursery TalesAncient fairy tales gathered from distant lands come alive, revealing timeless truths where good conquers evil.
Level C1PoetryMother Truth's Melodies. Common Sense For Children. A KindergartenDelight in charming rhymes and vivid illustrations that nurture young minds with simple truths and gentle wisdom, guiding children from infancy to growth with melodies that blend i…