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 B2AdventureJoe Strong on the Trapeze; Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus PerformerYoung circus performer Joe Strong dazzles audiences with daring feats and thrilling illusions, even as he faces the dangers behind spectacular tricks like the fiery finale.
Level B1Children'sJoe Strong and his wings of steelA daring young acrobat unveils his latest invention: wings of steel powered by electric motors, promising to lift him into the skies.
Level B2Children'sJoe Brennan's luckNewlyweds Joe and Kitty start their life together full of hope, but as Kitty takes on managing their home alone, Joe soon discovers that love alone can’t guarantee domestic bliss.
Level B2Children'sJock with MousieA curious boy named Jock eagerly awaits his eighth birthday, juggling childhood wonder and the responsibility of caring for his ailing mother.
Level B2Children'sJoan's handfulIn a charming English rectory, Joan delights in country life and her creative projects, while old friendships and new visitors stir gentle adventures and heartfelt moments.
Level C1RomanceJoan of the Sword HandIn a rugged hillland ruled by the proud young Duchess Joan, political intrigue and soldierly camaraderie intertwine as captains Jorian and Boris navigate loyalty, love, and the wei…
Level C1Children'sJoan and Peter: The story of an educationBorn into a world of new ideas during Queen Victoria’s reign, young Peter’s story unfolds in a bright nursery filled with love and modern hopes, as his thoughtful parents navigate…
Level C1Children'sJoan and Co.In the glittering world of New York’s social season, Dicky Burnett wrestles with his feelings for the captivating Joan Fairburne, whose sincere aloofness both intrigues and frustra…
Level B2Children'sJo's BoysA decade after their youthful dreams, a beloved community thrives at Plumfield, where the original boys return as they face new challenges and adventures, guided by the caring sist…
Level B2AdventureJimmy, Lucy, and AllA lively family heads to the old mining town of Castle Cliff for a mountain retreat filled with adventure, camping, and curious discoveries—though the gold mines are long abandoned…
Level B2Children'sJimmy Kirkland of the Cascade College TeamAt Cascade College, James Lawrence Kirkland, a confident young athlete and heir to a fortune, arrives eager to prove himself among diverse, worldly students, only to face unexpecte…
Level B2Children'sJimmy Kirkland and the Plot for a PennantAs the championship series heats up, the Bears face setbacks with injured stars and internal tensions, while a determined, slender youth arrives seeking the team’s manager—ready to…
Level A2Children'sJimmy CrowA young boy named Jack cares for a playful crow named Jimmy who loves mischief, from hiding boots to stealing Christmas candles.
Level B1Children'sJimmy BoyJimmy Boy is a spirited young lad whose adventures with his pet burro and mischievous sister Lucy reveal a charming world of childhood innocence, playful antics, and family warmth…
Level B2AdventureJim Spurling, Fisherman: or Making GoodAs Commencement week unfolds at a New England academy, three determined friends—Jim Spurling, Roger Lane, and Winthrop Stevens—face the challenges of youth, ambition, and making th…
Level B2Children'sJill: A Flower GirlAmid the dazzling grandeur of London's high society, a young flower girl named Jill stands silently, captivated by a world far removed from her own.
Level B2Children'sJill's Red BagThree mischievous siblings turn a quiet Sunday into a chaotic adventure filled with playful pranks, runaway nurses, and lively antics that challenge the limits of patience and orde…
Level B2AdventureJibby JonesOn the mighty Mississippi, a group of Riverbank boys guard their summer island haven—until the tall, spectacled newcomer Jibby Jones arrives, unsettling their close-knit world with…
Level B2Children'sJewish fairy storiesDive into a world where King Solomon seeks a magical worm capable of splitting stone without iron tools, blending ancient wisdom and mystical creatures in enchanting tales rooted i…
Level B2Children'sJewel's Story BookA young girl named Jewel eagerly prepares to visit her grandfather in New York, anticipating a special dinner and exciting adventures as she travels by train dressed in her finest…
Level B2Children'sJessie Carlton: The Story of a Girl who Fought with Little Impulse, the: Wizard, and Conquered HimIn a quiet village near New York, young Jessie Carlton embarks on a charming adventure of courage and character, battling the mischievous Impulse, the Wizard.
Level C1Children'sJessieA young girl, facing the loss of her family home and dreams, finds hope in the kindness of neighbors who offer her a new home and a chance to pursue education while working to supp…
Level B2Children'sJessica's First Prayer; and, Jessica's MotherA lonely coffee-stall keeper encounters Jessica, a hungry, neglected girl seeking warmth and comfort beneath a London railway bridge, revealing a poignant tale of hardship, kindnes…
Level C1MysteryJessica Trent: Her Life on a RanchA spirited horseback chase through narrow canyon trails leads a stranger to the remote Sobrante ranch, where he meets Jessica Trent, a fearless rider who shares her unique life amo…
Level B2Children'sJessica Trent's InheritanceA young girl embarks on a daunting journey across the country, leaving her beloved ranch and loved ones behind.
Level B2Children'sJerry; or, the sailor boy ashoreA sailor boy returns home after a long absence, only to face the changes and losses that time has wrought on his family.
Level B1MysteryJerry Todd and the rose-colored catWhen a mysterious letter promises the arrival of a rare rose-colored cat, Jerry Todd and his friends set out to uncover the truth behind the curious feline—and the surprising secre…
Level B1MysteryJerry Todd and the Talking FrogA ghost haunts the old brick house where a puzzle maker met a strange death, and Jerry Todd and his friends must unravel the eerie mystery involving a talking frog and a secret cal…
Level B2MysteryJerry Todd and the Oak Island TreasureJoin Jerry Todd and his friends as they turn an old canal boat into a thrilling stage show while unraveling the mystery of a ghostly presence, a hidden treasure on a lonely island,…
Level C1Children'sJeremy and Hamlet: A Chronicle of Certain Incidents in the Lives of a Boy, a Dog, and a Country TownIn a quaint English town of 1894, a boy named Jeremy and his dog Hamlet navigate the bittersweet rhythms of childhood, loyalty, and the quiet dramas unfolding beneath the kitchen w…
Level B2Children'sJeremyAn eight-year-old boy wakes on his birthday to claim new rights in the family nursery, sparking playful battles and moments of self-discovery as he steps into a larger world beyond…
Level C1Children'sJenny: A NovelAmid the bustling streets and timeless beauty of Rome, a young traveler named Helge is drawn into the city's vibrant life and history, discovering unexpected emotions and the thril…
Level C1HistoricalJemmy Stubbins, or the Nailer Boy: Illustrations of the Law of KindnessA young boy is forced into the harsh labor of nail-making from childhood, his growth stunted by poverty and toil.
Level C1Children'sJemima Placid; or, The Advantage of Good-NatureA gentle girl’s calm and kind nature guides her through childhood challenges, contrasting sharply with her cousin’s peevish temper.
Level B2AdventureJeff Benson, or the Young CoastguardsmanA spirited young man, orphaned and determined, rejects a dull legal career to embrace the sea, rising from novice sailor to coastguard near his hometown.
Level B2Children'sJed, the Poorhouse BoyIn a harsh poorhouse ruled by bitter overseers, sixteen-year-old Jed faces daily cruelty with quiet strength and independence.
Level B2Children'sJean of GreenacresAs Christmas approaches at Greenacres, the Robbins sisters bustle with letters, baking, and preparations, weaving family affection and the simple joys of winter into a heartwarming…
Level B1Children'sJean Craig in New YorkA young artist leaves her quiet farm life for the vibrant streets of New York, where art lessons, old friends, and new adventures await.
Level B1Children'sJean Craig Grows UpAs Jean plans a lively party to brighten their home, her family grapples with the uncertain health of their father, recently returned from the hospital.
Level B1RomanceJean Craig Finds RomanceAn aspiring artist torn between her dreams and a budding romance, Jean Craig navigates family adventures and unexpected challenges in their new country home, while her spirited sis…
Level B2Children'sJean Cabot at AshtonA young woman leaves her familiar life in California to begin college at Ashton near Boston, facing the challenge of new surroundings, friendships, and self-discovery as she naviga…
Level C1Children'sJataka talesA clever monkey must outwit a cunning crocodile determined to capture him by trickery and guile.
Level B2Children'sJasperIn a chilly morning filled with childish defiance and sibling quarrels, young Chrissie refuses to put on her stockings, sparking gentle lessons on obedience, happiness, and selfles…
Level B2AdventureJarwin and CuffyStranded on a deserted Pacific island, a weary sailor clings to life alongside his loyal terrier, battling hunger and despair while adrift on a fragile raft surrounded by endless o…
Level B2Children'sJapanese folk stories and fairy talesA willful princess refuses to marry until she finds a worthy lord, prompting a parade of suitors including eighty-one brothers with a brave youngest sibling who shows kindness to a…
Level C1Children'sJapanese Fairy World: Stories from the Wonder-Lore of JapanDiscover a collection of enchanting Japanese folk tales that reveal the artistry and imagination behind ancient myths, stars, and traditions, including the beloved story of the Wea…
Level B2Children'sJapanese Fairy TalesA fearless warrior encounters a mighty dragon guarding a bridge, who beseeches him to slay a monstrous centipede terrorizing the lake’s kingdom.
Level B2Children'sJanice Day, the Young HomemakerA determined young girl balances school ambitions and household duties after her mother's death, navigating challenges at home with a stubborn maid and mischievous neighbors in a s…