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 A2Children'sLittle White BarbaraA pale, thin girl named Little White Barbara lives with two aunts who try every remedy to make her rosy and fat, until a mischievous boy with a frog and a guinea-pig brings laughte…
Level B2Children'sLittle Tora, The Swedish Schoolmistress and Other StoriesA determined little Swedish girl, longing for new shoes, bravely sings for a kindly doctor and his family, inspired by tales of a famous singer’s success.
Level B1Children'sLittle Tony of ItalyIn the bustling streets of Naples, young Tony finds an unlikely companion in a stray dog from a marionette show.
Level B2FantasyLittle TomIn a secluded forest hut, a mysterious widow brews powerful herbal remedies that cure the village’s ailments, while ancient legends whisper of knights, ruins, and a precious altar…
Level B2Children'sLittle Tales of The DesertAmidst the rugged desert winter, young Mary experiences a magical Christmas unlike any other, complete with a desert-dressed Santa and surprising gifts.
Level B2Children'sLittle Susy's Little ServantsA curious little girl discovers the mysterious "servants" that help her explore the world—her eyes, ears, and tongue—each revealing new wonders and joys in her everyday life.
Level B2Children'sLittle Susan and her lambOn a summer morning, kind-hearted Susan rescues a weak lamb destined for the market, nurturing it back to health while learning lessons of mercy, faith, and the joy found in kindne…
Level B2Children'sLittle SunbeamBlind since infancy, Peggy "Little Sunbeam" Pringle faces the bustling streets of London with courage and cheerfulness.
Level A2Children'sLittle Stories for Little ChildrenGentle tales reveal the lessons of kindness, honesty, and care through the everyday adventures and mistakes of children like John, Jane, and Ann.
Level B1PoetryLittle SongsDelight in charming rhymes and gentle melodies that invite children into a world of gardens, moons, lullabies, and playful creatures, blending whimsical verses with tender lessons…
Level B2AdventureLittle Snap the Postboy; Or, Working for Uncle SamA young postboy braves a wild mountain route, carrying mysterious messages and encountering shadowy figures who threaten his dangerous journey.
Level B2AdventureLittle Sky-High; Or, The Surprising Doings of Washee-Washee-WangWhen a mysterious Chinese boy named Sky-High arrives to live below stairs, the Van Buren children discover a world of surprising friendships and cultural lessons sparked by his uni…
Level A2Children'sLittle Scenes for Little Folks: In Words Not Exceeding Two SyllablesFollow the charming adventures of thoughtful children as they explore kindness, nature, and play in simple, heartwarming scenes crafted with gentle lessons and everyday joys.
Level B2PoetryLittle SarahA determined girl races through each step of growing grain to bake her grandmother’s Johnny-cake in record time, discovering the patience and effort behind simple blessings.
Level B2Children'sLittle Saint Elizabeth and Other StoriesAn eleven-year-old heiress raised under the stern care of her austere aunt navigates a lonely life of wealth and sorrow in New York, longing to discover the joys and warmth of chil…
Level B2RomanceLittle Robins' Love One to AnotherIn a charming countryside setting, the lively Robin family navigates lessons of behavior, kindness, and family dynamics as young Jack tests boundaries and each bird learns the valu…
Level B1HistoricalLittle Robins Learning to FlyA curious boy discovers a robin caring for another bird's nest, sparking a gentle exploration of kindness and cooperation in nature.
Level C1AdventureLittle Rifle; or, The Young Fur HuntersA skilled young trapper navigates the wilds of the Upper Columbia, alone and alert, setting traps and surviving in a rugged landscape filled with danger and mystery—while pondering…
Level B2Children'sLittle Prudy's Sister SusyThree Parlin sisters prepare for Christmas with secret gifts and sibling mischief, revealing their unique personalities and close family bonds.
Level B1Children'sLittle Prudy's Dotty DimpleA joyful family welcomes a new baby sister, sparking tender moments and sibling adventures.
Level B2Children'sLittle Prudy's Cousin GraceTwo inseparable friends, Grace and Cassy, share dreams, secrets, and the desire to form their own secret society, challenging the boys who claim all the power.
Level B1HistoricalLittle Prudy's Captain HoraceIn a quiet Indiana town, young Horace dreams of becoming a soldier while his sister Grace imagines angelic harps under starry skies.
Level B1Children'sLittle PrudyA lively little girl named Prudy Parlin navigates childhood mischief and patchwork projects, bringing laughter and warmth to her family’s home in Maine.
Level A2Children'sLittle PresentDiscover the charming world of farm animals through simple descriptions that teach about oxen, cows, horses, cats, dogs, and sheep—their habits, roles, and how they help people eve…
Level B2Children'sLittle PollieA shy little girl ventures into the bustling streets of London to sell violets, learning hard lessons about survival and kindness amid the city's noise and crowds.
Level A2Children'sLittle Playfellows:: Sugar Plum SeriesFollow the adventures and lessons of children and animals, from a kind boy rewarded for quiet play to a brave dog aiding soldiers, in heartwarming tales that teach kindness, cautio…
Level B1Children'sLittle Pitchers: Flaxie Frizzle StoriesIn a charming riverside town, mischievous twins Pollio and Posy Pitcher embark on playful adventures, their contrasting looks matched only by their inseparable bond and lively spir…
Level A2Children'sLittle Pilgrim at Aunt Lou'sA young girl embarks on a summer journey to Aunt Lou’s countryside home, where new cousins, playful adventures, and heartfelt moments await.
Level B1Children'sLittle Philippe of BelgiumIn a Belgian farm just outside Brussels, young Philippe, nicknamed "Little Brussels Sprout," dreams of a baby sister sprouting from his garden cabbages, believing in a charming fol…
Level C1FantasyLittle Peter: A Christmas Morality for Children of any AgeAmid the towering pine forest, a little boy’s journey unfolds, revealing nature’s secret song of growth, obedience, and self-sacrifice.
Level B2HistoricalLittle Paulina: Christmas in RussiaIn the bleak Russian winter, a determined young girl braves snow and danger to reach her exiled father, guided by a lost stranger whose own hardships intertwine with her perilous j…
Level C1AdventureLittle Oskaloo; or, The White WhirlwindAmid the looming clash between Native tribes and advancing American forces in 1794, two warriors navigate a perilous frontier where alliances, revenge, and survival intertwine.
Level B2Children'sLittle Nettie; or, Home SunshineA young girl named Nettie brightens her weary mother's life as they prepare their humble home for an unexpected boarder, facing hardship with quiet strength and hope.
Level B2FantasyLittle Mr. Thimblefinger and His Queer CountryOn a lively Southern plantation, a spirited girl named Sweetest Susan and her companions discover a magical world where dolls come to life and mysterious voices emerge from the fir…
Level B1Children'sLittle Mittens for The Little Darlings: Being the Second Book of the SeriesCharming tales unfold as two rosy-cheeked girls discover playful kittens and mitten mishaps on a snowy day, weaving warmth and whimsy into stories perfect for little darlings cravi…
Level B2Children'sLittle Miss WeezyToddler Weezy's mischievous adventures unfold as she playfully locks out her caretaker, turning a simple day into a bubbling kitchen chaos.
Level B2Children'sLittle Miss Peggy: Only a Nursery StoryIn a bustling nursery filled with lively siblings, little Peggy navigates the curious rules and whimsical conversations of childhood, all while pondering big questions about the wo…
Level B1Children'sLittle Miss OddityIn a cluttered backyard where nothing beautiful seems to grow, young Cassy discovers two tiny green shoots and dares to hope they will bloom into a flower—if only she can protect h…
Level B2Children'sLittle Miss MouseAunt Hester’s Saturday sewing lessons become a window into family history and childhood chores for young Ruth, who navigates the small frustrations and secret joys of growing up wi…
Level B1AdventureLittle Miss MothThree spirited sisters—Charity, Hope, and Faith—embrace a fresh start in a cozy countryside cottage, where new adventures and heartfelt bonds await beyond the gloomy London streets…
Level B2AdventureLittle Miss JoyIn a quiet seaside town, a weary mother faces loss and hardship as her young son runs away, while a hopeful friend offers a chance for a new beginning amid the restless tides and n…
Level B2AdventureLittle Miss GrasshopperA lively young girl, nicknamed Little Miss Grasshopper for her nimble jumps, eagerly awaits a summer journey to the breathtaking Gemmi Pass in Switzerland, where her family will ex…
Level C1HistoricalLittle MetacometIn the peaceful New England woods before King Philip's War, a young Native American boy named Little Metacomet explores nature and the complex world around him, meeting pioneers an…
Level B2HistoricalLittle Men: Life at Plumfield With Jo's BoysA ragged boy arrives at Plumfield, a welcoming home buzzing with lively children and warm lights, where Aunt Jo’s boys learn, play, and grow together.
Level C1Children'sLittle Meg's ChildrenIn the grim labyrinth of London’s East End, young Meg shoulders the weight of caring for her ailing mother and siblings alone, while their sailor father remains far at sea.
Level A2Children'sLittle MaryAs evening falls in the countryside, Little Mary’s gentle kindness shines through—from feeding a robin to helping a poor traveler—inviting young readers to explore a world of simpl…
Level B2Children'sLittle Maid MarianA thoughtful young girl tests her faith by commanding a distant mountain to move, seeking answers from a kind neighbor while navigating the quiet challenges of childhood and belief…
Level B2AdventureLittle Lucy's Wonderful GlobeWhen little Lucy wakes to find herself covered in mysterious red spots, she embarks on a curious adventure under the care of Mother Bunch and her great-uncle’s wondrous museum, whe…