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'sHarry Harding—Messenger "45"A mischievous schoolboy faces punishment after a prank with a lifelike rubber snake lands him in trouble.
Level B2Children'sHarry Harding's Year of PromiseTwo friends spend a summer vacation filled with mischief, adventure, and meaningful stories that reveal the secret to happiness, inspiring them to make their year truly promising.
Level B2Children'sHarry Fenimore's PrinciplesIn a city where autumn's glow fades behind walls and pavements, young Hal Fenimore finds triumph and tension in a game of chess, revealing lessons about competition, kindness, and…
Level C1AdventureHarry Escombe: A Tale of Adventure in PeruSeventeen-year-old draughtsman Harry Escombe is offered a thrilling chance to gain real-world experience surveying a challenging railway project across Peru’s rugged mountains.![Cover of Harrison's New Nursery Picture Book by J. [Compiler] Harrison](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da7ai1acitjc73afmd30.webp)
Children'sHarrison's New Nursery Picture BookDiscover a charming collection of seventy detailed engravings designed to captivate young imaginations and introduce children to a world of wonder and delight through timeless nurs…
PoetryHarrison's Amusing Picture and Poetry BookDive into a whimsical collection where seventy captivating engravings meet playful poetry, inviting readers to explore humor and imagination through vivid imagery and clever verse.
Level C1Children'sHarriet Beecher Stowe: a biography for girlsBorn in a picturesque Connecticut village surrounded by inspiring hills, a young girl grows up immersed in nature's beauty and the rich heritage of her family and hometown.
Level B2HistoricalHarebell's friendA lonely child named Harebell returns to England after losing her parents, only to face an uncertain future under the care of a stern aunt.
Level B2FantasyHarding's luckIn a grim, colorless neighborhood, lame boy Dickie dreams of green and life beyond the dirty yard he calls home, sparking a quiet rebellion as he and a kindly neighbor plot to tran…
Level A2PoetryHappy and Gay Marching AwayDelight in charming scenes of childhood wonder and whimsy, where little hearts set a bird free, dance in springtime joy, and navigate the bittersweet moments of growing up with pla…
Level B2AdventureHappy Pollyooly: The Rich Little Poor GirlA resourceful young housekeeper faces a mysterious threat to her friend, the dancer Esmeralda, involving a relentless nobleman abroad.
Level B1Children'sHappy Little Edward: And His Pleasant Ride and Rambles in the Country.Join happy little Edward on a charming springtime journey from city streets to countryside wonders, where he discovers playful squirrels, curious woodpeckers, and warm family momen…
Level A2Children'sHappy HeartsThree children move to a country home and eagerly prepare for Christmas, learning that true happiness comes from kindness, good thoughts, and helping others—discovering the magic o…
Level B2AdventureHappy Days for Boys and GirlsStep into a charming old English garden where young Polly, guided by her wise grandmother, discovers the simple joys of nature, imagination, and family through apple seeds, playful…
Level B2HistoricalHans Brinker; Or, The Silver SkatesIn a vivid journey through 19th-century Holland, young Hans Brinker and his sister Gretel navigate everyday life, Dutch traditions, and the challenges of a plucky little country th…
Level B2FantasyHans Andersen's Fairy TalesIn a misty northern moor ruled by the mysterious Marsh King, a lost princess of fairy descent arrives, stripped of her magical swan-feathers and trapped in a strange land.
Level B2AdventureHalsey & Co.: or, The Young Bankers and SpeculatorsIn the high-stakes world of Wall Street, young Fred Halsey uncovers a daring plot involving a forged check and risks everything to stop the criminals before they strike.
Level B1AdventureHallowe'en at MerryvaleJoin Toad and his friends as they prepare for a thrilling Halloween party filled with spooky costumes, pumpkin lanterns, and playful ghostly fun in the charming small town of Merry…
Level A2Children'sHalf-Past Seven StoriesJoin the Toyman and the Three Happy Children in a world of playful adventures, handmade toys, and heartwarming mischief around the White House with the Green Blinds by the Side of…
Level B2FantasyHalf-Hours with JimmieboyOn a restless Christmas Eve, a young boy named Jimmieboy discovers not one, but two Santa Clauses, who invite him on a magical adventure to help deliver gifts despite the challenge…
Level C1Children'sHalf-A-Dozen Housekeepers: A Story for Girls in Half-A-Dozen ChaptersSix spirited girls seize the unexpected chance for a two-week adventure when their school recitation hall burns down, deciding to keep house alone in a country cottage under the wa…
Level B2Children'sHalf a dozen boysSix boys navigate the joys and challenges of everyday life in a small New England town, where school, friendship, and unexpected trials, like Fred's sudden blindness, shape their c…
Level B2Children'sHalf a Dozen GirlsIn a sunny household filled with patchwork and playful quarrels, spirited Polly Adams navigates childhood's lessons in patience, friendship, and family warmth.
Level B2MysteryHal Kenyon DisappearsIn the rugged beauty of Mummy Cañon, a group of spirited Boy Scouts and their eccentric headmaster return from a mountain outing, ready to build a campfire and share stories.
Level C1AdventureHair-Breadth Escapes: The Adventures of Three Boys in South AfricaThree boys embark on a daring adventure aboard His Majesty’s ship Hooghly, navigating treacherous seas and facing unexpected betrayals as they journey toward South Africa in the ea…
Level B2Children'sGypsy's Cousin JoyA lively girl named Gypsy is suddenly summoned home from school under mysterious circumstances, sparking whispers and wild rumors in her town.
Level B2Children'sGypsy BreyntonGypsy Breynton is a lively, tomboyish girl full of mischief and heart, navigating childhood with scrapes, laughter, and a fearless spirit.
Level B2AdventureGypsies of the AirA determined young pilot takes to the skies in her trusty plane to search for two missing aviator friends on a perilous transatlantic flight, facing danger and uncertainty as she r…
Level C1Children'sGwendolineAmid London's dense fog, Gwendoline Halcombe, the eldest of ten siblings and a talented young artist, seeks a crucial meeting with a respected lawyer, setting the stage for a tale…
Level C1RomanceGwen Wynn: A Romance of the WyeAlong the scenic Wye River stands Llangorren Court, home to the spirited and captivating Gwen Wynn, a young heiress living freely amid her vast estate and vibrant community.
Level B2AdventureGuy in the Jungle; Or, A Boy's Adventure in the Wilds of AfricaA young British captain is tasked with delivering secret documents to the Somali Coast Protectorate amid looming threats of an Abyssinian attack.
Level B2AdventureGuy Harris, the RunawayA spirited boy faces tough challenges from bullies and tests his mettle as he prepares for an unknown adventure on the prairie, armed with a mysterious match-box and a determinatio…
Level B2HistoricalGuy FalconerIn a world of debts and family secrets, a critical stroke of the pen sets the fate of the Old Moat House and its inhabitants in motion.
Level B2Children'sGutta-Percha Willie: The Working GeniusIn a quiet village surrounded by gentle hills, young Willie—nicknamed Gutta-Percha Willie—finds joy and purpose in learning the value of honest work and the wonders of nature, all…
Level B1AdventureGuns and Snowshoes; Or, the Winter Outing of the Young HuntersFour adventurous boys eagerly embrace winter’s snowy wilderness, turning to hunting, fishing, and thrilling snowball fights while uncovering new mysteries in their frozen outdoor e…
Level B2AdventureGunpowder Treason and Plot, and Other Stories for BoysTwo mysterious infant brothers are found adrift in a clever floating nest, sparking a heartfelt adoption by a childless naval couple.
Level B2AdventureGulf and Glacier; or, The Percivals in AlaskaA lively group of young travelers embarks on a thrilling summer expedition from Boston to Alaska, exploring rugged landscapes and forging new friendships aboard a cross-continental…
Level C1RomanceGudrunIn a kingdom where beauty and strength command respect, the proud Princess Gudrun spurns all suitors, igniting rivalries among kings determined to claim her hand—will love or war d…
Level B2Children'sGritli's ChildrenA fragile child confined indoors longs to join the vibrant life of a sunlit garden by the Rhine, where nature’s beauty and gentle river waves promise freedom and joy.
Level B2Children'sGrit; or, The Young Boatman of Pine PointA determined fifteen-year-old boy known as "Grit" supports his struggling mother while facing the impending return of his troubled stepfather, whose past mistakes threaten their ha…
Level B2AdventureGrit A-Plenty: A Tale of the Labrador WildIn the remote Labrador wilderness, trapper Thomas Angus and his family find comfort and adventure in their sturdy cabin by Eskimo Bay, surrounded by vast forests, rushing brooks, a…
Level C1HistoricalGrisly Grisell; Or, The Laidly Lady of Whitburn: A Tale of the Wars of the RosesAmidst the turbulence of the Wars of the Roses, a terrible accident at the Manor-house of Amesbury leaves young Grisell Dacre gravely injured, unraveling a tense drama of blame, lo…
PoetryGrimm Tales Made GayStep into a whimsical world where beloved Grimm fairy tales are playfully reimagined with wit and charm, blending humor and unexpected twists in poetic form that delight and surpri…
Level B2HistoricalGreyfriars BobbyIn the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, a small Skye terrier named Bobby navigates the bustling, historic Grassmarket, drawn by the daily boom of the time-gun and the rhythms of city li…
Level C1AdventureGreycliff WingsSenior girls set off on a lake picnic aboard the Greycliff, their laughter and songs filling the air under a sapphire sky—until the ominous sight of a struggling plane overhead hin…
Level B2Children'sGreycliff HeroinesSummer adventures unfold as spirited girls from Merrymeeting Camp prepare for a house party aboard a boat to Boston, guided by lively counselors and warm family ties.
Level C1AdventureGrettir the Outlaw: A Story of IcelandIn the haunting midnight sun of Iceland's rugged north, a legendary outlaw is born amidst ancient sagas and wild landscapes.
Level B2Children'sGreenacre GirlsIn a snowy coastal home, a group of spirited sisters and cousins juggle preparations for a Valentine’s party while coping with their parents' illness and absence, discovering the s…