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
- books
PoetryJack Jingle, and Sucky ShingleDive into a playful world of rhythm and rhyme where Jack Jingle and Sucky Shingle come to life through charming verses that invite you to explore their whimsical adventures.
Level B2MysteryJack Haydon's QuestA school captain on the cusp of adulthood faces a mysterious stranger demanding a secret letter, thrusting him from the familiar fields of sport into a shadowy world of danger and…
Level B2AdventureJack Harvey's Adventures; or, The Rival Campers Among the Oyster PiratesA spirited young boy chooses a rugged winter with his friends over a refined European voyage, stepping into a world of adventure and self-reliance along the Maine coast, where riva…
Level B2AdventureJack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The Turks: Book Number Fifteen in the Jack Harkaway SeriesCaught between youthful daring and the strict commands of a ship’s captain, Jack Harkaway navigates perilous adventures and cultural challenges among the Turks, where loyalty and c…
Level B2AdventureJack Harkaway in New York; or, The Adventures of the Travelers' ClubAn idle young man in London receives a mysterious letter from a beautiful American heiress, pulling him into a tangled web of rivalry, secret warnings, and the danger of duels.
Level B2AdventureJack Harkaway and His Son's Escape from the Brigands of GreeceA grand ball in Greece draws the unsuspecting Mr.
Level B2AdventureJack Hardy: A Story of English Smugglers in the Days of NapoleonAmidst the rugged English coast during the Napoleonic Wars, young midshipman Jack Hardy faces the dull task of hunting smugglers while uncovering family ties and local secrets.
Level B2Children'sJack HallThirteen-year-old Jack Hall turns a bright February morning into a playful battlefield of snowballs, outsmarting neighborhood rivals and stirring up snow-covered mischief near Bost…
Level C1AdventureJack BuntlineA blue-eyed apprentice and a seasoned sea captain navigate the harsh realities of maritime life, revealing both the gallantry and brutal hardships faced by sailors.
Level B2MysteryJack Archer: A Tale of the CrimeaA young schoolboy’s dull routine is shattered when a sudden summons from home hints at an urgent family matter, thrusting him toward an unexpected destiny beyond Latin verses and s…
Level B1AdventureJack Among the Indians; Or, A Boy's Summer on the Buffalo PlainsA young boy returns to the vast buffalo plains for a summer filled with thrilling adventures alongside Native American tribes, hunting game and facing the challenges of life on the…
Level B2Children'sJ. ColeA small but determined boy named J.
Level C1AdventureIvar the Viking: A romantic history based upon authentic facts of the third and fourth centuriesStep into the fierce and vivid world of Norse chiefs as a young Viking rises through rites, battles, and voyages to shape history during the twilight of Rome’s power.
Level B2FantasyIt's Your Fairy Tale, You KnowA boy enchanted by fairy tales escapes his dull schoolwork and modern world, longing for the magic of knights and wishes.
Level C1AdventureIsles of the sea; or, Young America homeward boundA young academy squadron embarks on a thrilling homeward voyage across the Atlantic, exploring exotic islands like Madeira and the Azores while navigating the challenges of rank, r…
Level C1AdventureIsla HeronA young preacher visits a rugged New England coastal village, where she encounters the gruff but kind-hearted Joe Brazybone and his fearsome sister-in-law, setting the stage for a…
Level B2Children'sIs There a Santa Claus?A young boy’s question about Santa Claus leads to a heartfelt journey through holiday cheer, kindness, and the true spirit of giving, from the White House to the streets of New Yor…
Level B2Children'sIrma in Italy: A Travel StoryA sixteen-year-old girl sets off on an exciting journey through Italy, balancing the thrill of travel with the challenge of keeping up her studies.
Level C1Children'sIrish Fairy TalesStep into a world where ancient Irish hills and streams come alive with enchanting fairy tales crafted to inspire love for Ireland’s rich traditions.
Level C1FantasyIrish Fairy TalesIn a clash of old beliefs and new faiths, a determined abbot besieges a steadfast gentleman who refuses to abandon ancient gods and customs.
Level B2AdventureInto Mexico with General Scott: When attached to the Fourth United States Infantry, Division of Major-General William J. Worth, Corps of the famous Major-General Winfield Scott, known as Old Fuss and Feathers, campaign of 1847, lad Jerry Cameron marched and fought beside Second Lieutenant U. S. Grant all the way from Cera Cruz to the City of Mexico, where six thousand American soldiers planted the Stars and Stripes in the midst of one hundred and fifty thousand amazed peopleFollow young Jerry Cameron as he marches and fights alongside Second Lieutenant U.
Level C1Children'sInterruptedIn a bustling church society, Claire Benedict juggles leadership, friendship, and countless responsibilities with grace and determination, all while those around her wonder how muc…
Level C1RomanceInstead of the Thorn: A NovelAmid the elegant South Shore Club, a spirited young woman dazzles with her vibrant charm, while her sensible sister navigates the complexities of family expectations and modern ide…
Level A2Children'sInfant's Cabinet of Birds & BeastsDiscover a charming collection of birds and beasts designed to delight young minds with simple, engaging illustrations and descriptions.
Level C1Children'sIndian Fairy TalesDiscover enchanting tales rooted in Indian tradition, where ancient fables and lively folk stories reveal the shared origins of myths across East and West, inviting children to exp…
Level B1Children'sIndian Child LifeFollow the adventures of young Indian children and their animal friends as they navigate playful mischief, lessons in kindness, and the rhythms of nature in a vibrant tribal world.
Level B2Children'sIncidents of childhoodA lazy fisherman's son spends his days idly by the sea, dreaming of luck and adventure.
Level B2AdventureIn the volcano's mouth; or, A boy against an armyA grieving father and his spirited son, Madcap Max, embark from England to Egypt, confronting loss and adventure aboard a grand steamer.
Level C1HistoricalIn the hollow of His handAmidst the harsh persecution of the Stundists in Russia, a mother lies dying far from home, urging her son to hold fast to faith and courage despite the cruel trials they face.
Level B2AdventureIn the great white landIn the heart of the Arctic's endless winter, a determined captain battles frozen isolation and snow-blindness aboard the barque Walrus as the first fragile rays of spring promise a…
Level B2MysteryIn the camp of the Black RiderTwo friends, Ted and Buck, balance summer work and football dreams while planning an adventurous camping trip.
Level B2AdventureIn the Yellow SeaRejected from the navy due to a supposed eyesight defect, a determined young man grapples with disappointment while harboring dreams of adventure on the seas between China and Japa…
Level B2AdventureIn the Wilds of AfricaA voyage along Africa’s coast turns perilous as a young supercargo faces deadly fever, treacherous seas, and unreliable crew aboard the brig Osprey, all while trading for precious…
Level C1AdventureIn the Wars of the Roses: A Story for the YoungIn a land torn by the fierce Wars of the Roses, young Paul longs to prove himself amidst royal processions and looming battles.
Level C1AdventureIn the Track of the TroopsA young inventor’s passion for explosives leads him to create a powerful torpedo, but a test goes awry with explosive consequences, sparking a thrilling tale of innovation, danger,…
Level C1HistoricalIn the SaddleAmid the turmoil of the Civil War, two branches of the Lyon family stand divided—loyal Unionists and Southern secessionists—clashing over plantation life, loyalty, and survival.
Level C1Children'sIn the Roar of the SeaA young girl spends a sunny afternoon lost in playful reverie while her weary father battles the relentless sea winds threatening their coastal church.
Level B2AdventureIn the Reign of Terror: The Adventures of a Westminster BoyA sturdy English boy is sent to revolutionary France, where liberty fights chaos and danger lurks at every turn.
Level C1AdventureIn the Pecos CountryA band of New England settlers, led by the idealistic Caleb Barnwell, seek to build a new community in the perilous Rio Pecos valley, unaware that the fearsome Apache chief Lone Wo…
Level A2PoetryIn the Nursery: Happy Hours for the Little OnesWhimsical poems and charming tales bring to life talking animals, playful children, and their joyful adventures on the farm.
Level B2AdventureIn the Musgrave RangesTwo boys journey into the heart of Central Australia, encountering fierce storms and rugged desert men as they embark on a thrilling adventure through the wild Musgrave Ranges.
Level B2Children'sIn the Morning Glow: Short StoriesStep into a sunlit world where a child's adventures unfold alongside a gentle grandfather’s stories, naps, and laughter in a garden alive with bees, butterflies, and timeless famil…
Level B2AdventureIn the Mahdi's GraspIn Victorian London, a dedicated servant and a scholarly doctor navigate the peculiarities of high society and mysterious tales from distant lands, including a soldier’s long-burie…
Level C1Children'sIn the LineA spirited young athlete returns to America after years abroad, eager to prove himself on and off the football field.
Level C1AdventureIn the Land of the Great Snow Bear: A Tale of Love and HeroismAmid the wild Scottish Highlands, young Claude Alwyn’s unusual character unfolds against the backdrop of Dunallan Towers and its vibrant community.
Level C1AdventureIn the King's Name: The Cruise of the "Kestrel"Aboard the swift cutter Kestrel, young midshipman Hilary Leigh navigates duty and ambition while patrolling the Channel for smugglers and rebels in King George II’s navy.
Level C1AdventureIn the Irish Brigade: A Tale of War in Flanders and SpainAmidst religious persecution and exile, young Desmond Kennedy joins the famed Irish Brigade in France, seeking honor and belonging while navigating the shadows of his family's past…
Level B2AdventureIn the Heart of the Rockies: A Story of Adventure in ColoradoA sixteen-year-old boy, burdened by family loss and limited prospects, contemplates leaving home to seek adventure and support his sisters struggling to keep their family together…