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 B2AdventureJungle and Stream; Or, The Adventures of Two Boys in SiamTwo adventurous boys navigate life in the wilds of Siam, surrounded by exotic jungles, rivers, and creatures, as they face daily challenges from nature and culture in a remote, tro…
Level B1AdventureJulius, the Street Boy; or, Out WestA street-smart boy leaves his city life and blacking box behind to seek respectability out West, facing the challenges of rural life and new adventures alongside colorful companion…
Level C1Children'sJuliana Horatia Ewing And Her BooksDiscover the life and letters of a beloved storyteller, revealing her passion for nature, music, faith, and the joy she found in teaching and writing for children.
Level B2AdventureJulian Mortimer: A Brave Boy's Struggle for Home and FortuneA determined sixteen-year-old boy joins a rugged trapper guiding a wagon train through dangerous frontier lands, where every night brings the threat of Indian attacks and the fight…
Level B2Children'sJulia and the Pet-Lamb; or, Good Temper and Compassion RewardedA compassionate girl named Julia discovers an injured pet lamb and faces a choice between her mother's rules and helping the frightened animal.
Level B1Children'sJulia Cary and her kittenA young girl sails up the Hudson, discovering the true meaning of wealth beyond money as she meets a poor immigrant family and longs for the love she’s lost.
Level B2Children'sJudyIn a charming orchard cottage, shy Anne and her spirited pets welcome Judy, the Judge’s granddaughter from the city, sparking a friendship between two very different girls as they…
Level B2Children'sJudith Lynn: A Story of the SeaJudith Lynn, a spirited girl disguised in fisherman's oilskins, navigates the rugged life of lobster trapping while guarding the gentle secret of her beloved little sister Blossom.
Level C1Children'sJudge Ben B. Lindsey on the child—the movie—and censorshipA seasoned juvenile court judge challenges governmental censorship, advocating for cooperative, community-driven standards to protect youth without stifling the powerful, unifying…
Level C1RomanceJude the ObscureAn ambitious young scholar leaves his village for the university city of Christminster, chasing dreams of learning and ordination.
Level B1Children'sJubilee HallThree siblings burst with excitement upon hearing they will spend the midsummer holidays at Jubilee Hall, sparking joyful adventures and lively mischief in a charming countryside s…
Level C1Children'sJoyce's Investments: A Story for GirlsA determined young woman inherits a vast fortune and refuses to live a life of ease, choosing instead to build a model town with care and purpose.
Level C1Children'sJoyceA worldly soldier returns home after years abroad to claim his unexpected inheritance, navigating the strange customs and warm welcomes of a family estate that feels both familiar…
Level C1PoetryJourneys Through Bookland, Vol. 7Explore the beauty and craft of poetry through vivid nature scenes and rhythmic patterns, from golden daffodils dancing in the breeze to the quiet resilience of a mouse displaced b…
Level C1PoetryJourneys Through Bookland, Vol. 6Amidst the siege of ancient Rome, brave Horatius stands defiant at the city gates, facing overwhelming odds to protect his homeland, its sacred temples, and the legacy of his ances…
Level A2PoetryJourneys Through Bookland, Vol. 5Explore a rich collection of poetry and stories that traverse history, myth, and adventure—from Jonathan Swift's mischievous youth to King Arthur's legendary quests and the daring…
Level C2PoetryJourneys Through Bookland, Vol. 4Explore timeless poems and stirring stories that celebrate simple joys, noble character, and heroic deeds, weaving history, nature, and human spirit into a rich tapestry of verse a…
Level A2AdventureJourneys Through Bookland, Vol. 3Embark on a wondrous adventure through enchanted lands where pumpkins grow to surprising sizes, genies grant palaces, and curious creatures tell their tales.
Children'sJourneys Through Bookland, Vol. 2Step into a magical world of timeless tales, from wise fables and enchanting fairy tales to poetic wonders and mythical adventures, each story inviting young readers to explore les…
Level C1Children'sJourneys Through Bookland, Vol. 10: The GuideDiscover how the combined efforts of teachers and parents shape a child's character and future, emphasizing the powerful influence of home reading to inspire growth, culture, and s…
Level B2MysteryJosie O'Gorman and the Meddlesome MajorJosie O’Gorman starts her new job at a bustling department store where thefts are on the rise, including a missing box of expensive lace.
Level B2MysteryJosie O'GormanA clever girl detective with a famously unremarkable face discovers a surprising talent for disguises, using her unusual nose to outwit villains and hide her identity.
Level B2AdventureJosiah in New York; or, A coupon from the Fresh Air FundA young farm boy from a tiny village eagerly prepares for his first solo journey to bustling New York City, fueled by the promise of visiting friends he met through the Fresh Air F…
Level C1Children'sJoseph and His BrethrenBetrayed by his jealous brothers and sold into slavery, a young dreamer’s journey from a pit to a distant land reveals how even the darkest trials can fulfill a greater purpose gui…
Level B2Children'sJonas on a Farm in WinterYoung Jonas wakes early on a snowy winter morning to tend the fire and prepare for a day hauling wood on the farm.
Level C1AdventureJohnny Nut and the Golden GooseAn innocent young cow-boy named Johnny Nut sets off on a whimsical journey to taste the famed roast goose of Hergnies, encountering quirky characters, unexpected tasks, and lively…
Level B2Children'sJohnny Ludlow, First SeriesAt Dyke Manor, young Johnny Ludlow navigates the complexities of family, friendship, and childhood mischief alongside his spirited stepbrother Tod, set against the backdrop of a gr…
PoetryJohnny Crow's PartyAnimals gather for lively tea parties, musical mishaps, and playful adventures in a whimsical garden where laughter and surprises bloom at every turn.
PoetryJohnny Crow's GardenStep into a whimsical garden where animals don hats, dance jigs, and share tales, all under the watchful eye of Johnny Crow.
Level B2Children'sJohnny Bear, and Other Stories from Lives of the HuntedIn Yellowstone Park, a quirky little bear cub named Johnny navigates life with his fierce mother, Grumpy, amidst a world of wild bears drawn to a hotel’s open garbage feast.
Level B2Children'sJohn's LilyIn a quiet village untouched by swift trains and bustling cities, John Randal's simple world begins to shift when a chance encounter on a London platform introduces him to a fright…
Level B2FantasyJohn of the WoodsIn a vibrant village stirred by the arrival of mysterious tumblers, a frail yet graceful boy with a haunting gaze captivates the crowd, hinting at hidden powers and a world where u…
Level C1Children'sJohn WilliamsA young boy named John Williams, destitute and yearning for freedom, struggles to survive the harsh streets and find his place.
Level B2FantasyJohn Whopper: The NewsboyA daring newsboy's shortcut turns into a thrilling fall through the earth, leading him to a mysterious land on the globe's opposite side.
Level C1Children'sJohn Marchmont's Legacy, Volumes 1-3A young heir embarks on a pivotal Christmas visit to London, where family tensions and social ambitions intertwine against the backdrop of aristocratic expectations and hidden past…
Level C1Children'sJohn Marchmont's Legacy, Volume 3 (of 3)Haunted by loss and driven by a bitter vendetta, Edward Arundel prepares to confront his rival at Marchmont Towers, where past shadows and simmering tensions threaten to ignite a d…
Level B2RomanceJohn Marchmont's Legacy, Volume 2 (of 3)In a summer estate where love and secrets intertwine, a mysterious letter sets a young woman’s heart and fate in turmoil, unraveling hidden truths and testing the bonds between fam…
Level C1Children'sJohn Marchmont's Legacy, Volume 1 (of 3)A carefree young man’s holiday in London sparks the beginning of a life-changing adventure, set against the backdrop of family expectations, social ambition, and the hidden struggl…
Level B2FantasyJohn Dough and the CherubIn a bustling bakery filled with sweet aromas, a mysterious Arab named Ali Dubh flees from shadowy pursuers through the streets, sparking curiosity and hinting at an extraordinary…
Level B1Children'sJogging round the worldJourney alongside children and families from icy Arctic sledges to vibrant Japanese parks, discovering their unique homes, rides, and traditions in a colorful world tour filled wit…
Level B2HistoricalJoel: A Boy of GalileeIn ancient Galilee, young Joel navigates bustling markets, encounters caravan dangers, and dreams of companionship while witnessing the vibrant life surrounding the coming of the N…
Level B2AdventureJoe's Luck; Or, Always Wide AwakeFifteen-year-old Joe Mason, honest and proud despite his ragged clothes, faces hardship and humiliation from his employer's son while earning his place through hard work and integr…
Level B1AdventureJoe the Hotel Boy; Or, Winning out by PluckA resourceful country boy navigates storms and social divides as he works his way from a summer hotel to the bustling city, relying on honesty and determination to overcome hardshi…
Level B2AdventureJoe Wayring at Home; or, The Adventures of a Fly-RodA spirited fly-rod narrates its thrilling adventures with young angler Joe Wayring, battling fierce fish and enduring rugged outdoor trials.
Level B1AdventureJoe Strong, the boy wizard; or, The mysteries of magic exposedFour boys puzzle over a magician’s impossible trick, but none can replicate it—except Joe Strong, a fearless, athletic boy with a mysterious heritage and uncanny talents.
Level B2AdventureJoe Strong, the Boy Fish; or, Marvelous Doings in a Big TankAmid the thrilling spectacle of a bustling circus, young acrobat Joe Strong and his daring trapeze partners prepare to dazzle the crowd with death-defying feats, while the vibrant…
Level B2AdventureJoe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater; Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on RecordStep right up to witness the thrilling act of Joe Strong, a daring young magician who promises to mystify with his vanishing lady trick—no holes, no sleight of hand, just pure, baf…
Level B1AdventureJoe Strong on the high wireTwo young performers navigate the thrilling world of circus life, where underwater acts and a remarkable sea-lion named Lizzie steal the show.