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 B2Children'sJanice Day at PoketownA determined young girl travels alone to the lakeside town of Poketown to live with her uncle while her father is away, eager to discover the charm and challenges of this new place…
Level B2Children'sJanice DayA determined young girl embarks on her first solo journey from Greensboro to the mysterious Poketown, where she must live with her uncle while her father is away.
Level B2Children'sJanet; or, The Christmas StockingsIn the harsh slums of New York, young Janet discovers unexpected kindness from a mysterious bishop who gifts her Christmas stockings filled with hope and sweets, sparking a heartwa…
Level B2Children'sJanet: A Stock-Farm ScoutA city girl arrives at Green Hill Farm, diary in hand, expecting a summer of rest but finds herself drawn into lively Scout adventures and the refreshing challenges of country life…
Level B2Children'sJanet's college careerJanet navigates the challenges of setting up her college room, balancing home treasures and budget woes, while preparing for a new chapter filled with friendships, traditions, and…
Level B2Children'sJanet's boysIn a household shadowed by loss and discord, a spirited young man challenges the rigid order his father clings to, sparking change and unexpected warmth in their once-staid home.
Level C1Children'sJanet McLaren, the Faithful NurseIn a remote Highland village, a devoted nurse takes in the pastor’s orphaned children, determined to guide and protect them through hardship and loss while nurturing their educatio…
Level B1MysteryJanet Hardy in Radio CityJanet Hardy wakes before dawn to chase her Hollywood dreams, navigating early calls, rival sabotage, and thrilling adventures on a movie set.
Level B2MysteryJanet Hardy in HollywoodAs winter snows linger, Janet Hardy rushes to school where the senior class eagerly awaits the announcement of parts for their play, "The Chinese Image.
Level B2AdventureJane, Stewardess of the Air LinesFresh from nursing school, Jane faces the daunting uncertainty of life beyond graduation while clinging to her friendship with Sue and dreaming of a future that promises more than…
Level B2Children'sJane Allen, Right GuardA spirited young girl faces the challenge of leaving her beloved Western home to attend Wellington College, determined to embrace her new life with courage and make the most of her…
Level C1Children'sJane Allen, JuniorAt Wellington College, juniors gather beneath the grandmother poplar for a secret ritual called the Whisper, but Jane Allen is mysteriously absent, sparking curiosity and whispers…
Level C1Children'sJane Allen, CenterA spirited girl faces the bittersweet end of summer at her family ranch before returning to college, embracing life’s storms and sunshine with resilience and joy.
Level A2Children'sJan of the Windmill: A Story of the PlainsAmidst storms both outside and within, a humble windmiller’s family faces unexpected trials and changing fortunes on the plains, weaving a tender story of resilience, hope, and the…
Level B1Children'sJakie's ChristmasIn a remote log cabin, young Jakie clings to the hope of meeting jolly Santa Claus despite his grandmother's warnings of poverty and distance.
Level B2AdventureJacqueline of the Carrier PigeonsIn the serene city of Leyden, a golden-haired girl and her younger brother embark on a journey steeped in history and courage, where carrier pigeons carry messages of hope amid tal…
Level A2AdventureJacky Dandy's DelightFollow Jacky Dandy’s lively journey through a bustling fair filled with wild beasts, playful animals, and charming birds, where each encounter reveals a new wonder and delight.
Level C1HistoricalJackanapes, Daddy Darwin's Dovecot and Other StoriesAmid the quaint village of Goose Green, where age-old tales and local lore intertwine, residents face the turmoil of war and strange visitors, all while children fear the ominous B…
Level C1Children'sJack: 1877A young boy named Jack, burdened by exile and new surroundings, arrives at a prestigious Jesuit school in 1858 Paris with his enigmatic mother, whose charm masks hidden secrets.
Level B2AdventureJack, the Young Ranchman: A Boy's Adventures in the RockiesA frail city boy embarks on a rugged adventure at his uncle's remote Rocky Mountain ranch, where wild animals, untamed landscapes, and the challenges of cowboy life await him.
Level B2AdventureJack, the Fire DogIn a bustling city where Engine 33 reigns supreme, Jack, the clever and devoted fire dog, races alongside his firemen comrades through freezing winter nights, ready to brave danger…
Level B2HistoricalJack's Ward; Or, The Boy GuardianIn post-Civil War New York, young Jack Harding faces hardship with a hopeful heart, stepping up to support his unemployed father and struggling family.
Level B2Children'sJack's Two SovereignsIn a cramped family home, thirteen-year-old Jack navigates sibling rivalries and the challenges of growing up as a printer’s boy, while his lively household juggles work, school, a…
Level B1MysteryJack the runaway; or, On the road with a circusA determined farm boy defies his strict guardian to experience the excitement of a traveling vaudeville show, setting off on an adventurous journey with a circus.
Level B2AdventureJack the Young Trapper: An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky MountainsAn Eastern boy returns to his uncle’s ranch in the rugged Rocky Mountains, eager to explore the wild frontier where trappers brave fierce storms and untamed wilderness in pursuit o…
Level B2AdventureJack the Young Explorer: A Boy's Experiances in the Unknown NorthwestA young explorer ventures into the untamed Northwest, following mountain goats, elk, and elusive buffalo through rugged terrain where few white men have gone.
Level B2AdventureJack the Young Cowboy: An Eastern Boy's Experiance on a Western Round-upAn Eastern boy embraces the rugged life of a cowboy during a transformative era on the Western cattle range, facing the harsh realities behind the romantic allure of open plains, l…
Level B2AdventureJack the Young Canoeman: An Eastern Boy's Voyage in a Chinook CanoeA young boy embarks on a daring voyage along the rugged British Columbia coast, discovering the mysterious beauty of the fiords and the traditional fishing methods of the indigenou…
Level B2AdventureJack the Hunchback: A Story of Adventure on the Coast of MaineWhen a deformed boy drifts ashore in a lifeboat carrying a hungry baby, a Maine farm boy’s dull day turns into a gripping adventure sparked by a ship’s explosion and a desperate es…
Level C1AdventureJack the Giant KillerIn a world where giants roam and griffins soar, a fearless young hero trains to face monstrous foes and win glory.
Level B2Children'sJack the EnglishmanIn the sunlit hills of Tasmania, young Jack, proud of his English heritage and eager to grow up, dreams of joining his naval captain father in England—yet the waiting and farewells…
Level B1AdventureJack of the Pony Express; Or, The Young Rider of the Mountain TrailsA young rider and his swift pony navigate treacherous mountain trails to deliver vital mail between isolated settlements, facing wild landscapes and unexpected dangers on their dar…
Level B2AdventureJack in the Rockies: A Boy's Adventures with a Pack TrainA young boy embarks on a rugged journey through the untamed Yellowstone and Piegan territories, discovering wild landscapes and forming deep friendships along the way.
Level C1AdventureJack at Sea: All Work and No Play Made Him a Dull BoyA delicate, bookish boy struggles to meet his outdoorsy father's expectations of health and vigor, sparking a journey from quiet study to adventures in nature, collecting insects a…
Level C1FantasyJack and the Check BookA desperate mother faces ruin until her resourceful son, Jack, trades their cow for a mysterious pot of beans—only to wake to a giant, magical beanstalk leading to an unexpected ad…
Level C1PoetryJack and the Bean-Stalk: English HexametersA lazy boy trades his cow for magic beans that grow into a towering beanstalk leading to a mysterious island guarded by a fearsome giant and his wife.
Level B2AdventureJack and his ostrichOn the vast South African veldt, young Jack Treby navigates a rugged life with his father, their faithful farmhands, and the wild landscape surrounding them.
PoetryJack and Jill and Old Dame GillFollow the whimsical adventures of Jack, Jill, and Old Dame Gill in charming verses that capture timeless mischief and playful rhyme.
PoetryJack and Jill and Old Dame GillJoin Jack, Jill, Old Dame Gill, and their lively companions as they dance and play through this charming, illustrated collection of joyful rhymes and jigs.
Level B2Children'sJack and JillOn a crisp December afternoon in Harmony Village, Jack and Jill race down snowy hills and brave icy ponds, their friendship and fearless spirits shining amid winter’s frolic and th…
Level B2Children'sJack Winters' Gridiron ChumsIn a small town eager to make its mark, a determined group of boys train relentlessly under a seasoned coach’s watchful eye, led by the spirited newcomer Jack Winters, as they stri…
Level B2AdventureJack Winters' CampmatesThree adventurous boys—Jack, Steve, and Toby—plan the ultimate summer outing, fueled by friendship, sportsmanship, and an unexpected benefactor ready to sponsor their dream camping…
Level B2Children'sJack Winters' Baseball Team; Or, The Rivals of the DiamondThree boys from Chester rally to lead their underdog baseball team against the county's unbeatable Harmony nine, facing fierce rivals and a mysterious worry that threatens their ch…
Level B1AdventureJack Ranger's Western Trip; Or, from Boarding School to Ranch and RangeA daring boarding school prank leads Jack and his friends into a night of mischief and justice, as they don ghostly disguises to confront a cruel neighbor and defend the innocent.
Level B1AdventureJack Ranger's Gun Club; Or, From Schoolroom to Camp and TrailA fierce rowing race unfolds between the skilled and popular Jack Ranger and the boastful bully Dock Snaith on Rudmore Lake, sparking rivalries and testing endurance in this thrill…
Level B1AdventureJack North's Treasure Hunt; Or, Daring Adventures in South AmericaAn eager young man races against a rival to secure a coveted job at a bustling New England engine shop, sparking a fierce rivalry that will lead him from humble beginnings to darin…
Level A2AdventureJack Mason, the Old SailorAn old sailor with a lifetime of sea adventures shares captivating tales of icy northern voyages, encounters with unfamiliar tribes, and the perils of navigating treacherous iceber…
Level B2AdventureJack Manly; His Adventures by Sea and LandA young man trapped in the frozen, bleak town of St.