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
Level B2Children'sFolk Tales Every Child Should KnowStep into a world where ancient beliefs, magical creatures, and timeless superstitions come alive through enchanting folk tales passed down through generations, revealing the hidde…
Level C1MysteryFlying the Coast Skyways; Or, Jack Ralston's Swift PatrolTwo daring pilots, flying under aliases, embark on a secret mission from San Diego to the East Coast, navigating smoky skies and coded conversations to meet with Secret Service con…
Level B2Children'sFlying Plover: His stories, told him by Squat-by-the-fireIn the harsh wilderness of Labrador, young Flying Plover lives with his wise grandmother, Squat-by-the-fire, who shares enchanting tales of their Mountaineer tribe’s adventures, an…
Level B2Children'sFloyd's Flowers; Or, Duty and Beauty for Colored Children: Being One Hundred Short Stories Gleaned from the Storehouse of Human Knowledge and Experience: Simple, Amusing, ElevatingA collection of one hundred short stories designed to inspire and uplift young readers, blending duty and beauty through engaging tales and illustrations by a gifted artist.
Level B2Children'sFlower legends for childrenEnchanting flower legends come to life through fairy tales of angels, knights, and gods—each bloom holding a magical story that reveals its beauty and meaning in a world where fair…
Level B2PoetryFlower FablesBeneath a shimmering summer moon, fairies gather to share enchanting tales of love and courage, as they face the chilling threat of the Frost-King who threatens their floral world.
Level B2PoetryFlower Children: The Little Cousins of the Field and GardenDiscover a charming celebration of children and flowers, revealing their deep connection through tender poems and drawings that invite young hearts to see themselves as part of nat…
Level C1Children'sFloraIn a quiet village framed by elm trees and gentle country charms, Flora navigates the subtle complexities of rural life and society’s expectations, discovering friendship, curiosit…
Level A2AdventureFlop Ear, the Funny Rabbit: His Many AdventuresA young rabbit with a floppy ear lives happily in a cozy underground home with his family, unaware that adventures and troubles lie beyond the woods.
Level B2Children'sFlaxie Growing Up: Flaxie Frizzle StoriesTwelve-year-old Flaxie Frizzle longs to shed her childish nickname as she navigates family duties, school challenges, and imaginative play with friends who transform into fanciful…
Level C1AdventureFix Bay'nets: The Regiment in the HillsA rugged regiment of youthful soldiers endures a grueling mountain march, their spirits lifted by camaraderie and the stirring beats of a brass band.
Level C1Children'sFive years of youthTwo young sisters, worn but well-mannered, navigate life on a quaint farm under the care of Nurse Rickham, uncovering memories and virtues shaped by both ordinary days and the quie…
Level B2Children'sFive little Peppers in the Little Brown HouseWhen Ben Pepper rescues a mysterious black chicken from a swamp, the Pepper family dreams of a Thanksgiving feast centered on Polly’s famous chicken pie.
Level C1Children'sFive Minutes' StoriesA wealthy man, despairing after seeking happiness in art, knowledge, and pleasure, embarks on a transformative year of selfless giving that reveals the true secret to joy and fulfi…
Level B2Children'sFive Mice in a Mouse-trap, by the Man in the Moon.From his perch on the Moon, a curious observer watches the mischievous adventures of five children living in a quirky house called the Mouse-trap.
Level B2AdventureFive Little Starrs in the Canadian ForestFive adventurous siblings endure a rugged journey into the wild Canadian forest, facing harsh travel and untamed nature as they prepare for a winter in a remote lumber camp.
Level B2Children'sFive Little Peppers at SchoolAt school, the lively Pepper siblings navigate friendship, rivalry, and daily mischief, with new classmates joining their merry adventures.
Level B1Children'sFive Little Peppers and their FriendsIn a charming garden, a lonely girl’s longing meets Phronsie’s kindness, sparking a tender friendship between two worlds apart.
Level B2Children'sFive Little Peppers and How They GrewIn a humble kitchen, five spirited siblings face hardship with unbreakable cheer and dreams of brighter days.
Level B2Children'sFive Little Peppers MidwayA young girl named Phronsie embarks on a heartfelt adventure to bake a perfect plum pie for her beloved Polly, forging a sweet bond with Jefferson, the cook, amid the bustling kitc…
Level B1Children'sFive Little Peppers Grown UpAs Amy Loughead’s brother is set to visit, young Polly Pepper faces the challenge of helping Amy master the piano in time, balancing kindness with her own commitments in a bustling…
Level C1AdventureFive Little Peppers AbroadThe lively Pepper family embarks on a thrilling overseas adventure, navigating new sights, friendships, and unexpected surprises aboard a grand steamer and across European landscap…
Level B2FantasyFive Children and ItFive children move to a country house surrounded by woods and wild gardens, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
Level B2AdventureFitz the FilibusterA young midshipman, eager to prove himself, joins a secretive armed boat crew on a mysterious night mission, craving adventure beyond the dull routine of naval life.
Level B2PoetryFishy-WinkleA mischievous trio of children escape to the seaside, where they meet Fishy-Winkle, a curious mer-baby longing to return to the sea.
Level B2AdventureFirst in the Field: A Story of New South WalesA tense clash unfolds among schoolboys over a fragile thrush's nest, revealing rivalries, secrets, and the harsh judgments tied to family reputations in the rugged backdrop of New…
Level B2AdventureFirst at the North Pole; Or, Two Boys in the Arctic CircleTwo determined boys join an daring Arctic expedition aboard the Ice King, facing fierce polar bears, deadly icebergs, and brutal cold on a quest to reach the North Pole, testing th…
Level B2Children'sFirst Base FaulknerA weary sixteen-year-old boy arrives in a cold, unfamiliar town carrying a heavy valise and uncertain hopes, as he embarks on a new life with a distant relative in a place that fee…
Level B2AdventureFire in the Woods: IllustratedThree friends embark on a perilous adventure through wild forests, roaring rivers, and fiery disasters, facing nature’s fury and mysterious challenges as they search for a missing…
Level B2AdventureFire Island: Being the Adventures of Uncertain Naturalists in an Unknown TrackCaught in a deadly storm while exploring the perilous reefs near New Guinea, a young naturalist battles towering waves and fading hope aboard a crippled brig.
Level C1Children'sFinnish Legends for English ChildrenEnter a magical realm inspired by the Kalevala, the Finnish epic, where heroic figures, forest gods, and mythical creatures weave enchanting tales that introduce children to the br…
Level B2Children'sFinkler's Field: A Story of School and BaseballAt Maple Ridge School, fierce rivalries ignite on the baseball diamond as the Boarders and Towners prepare for their annual showdown, with sharp-witted players and spirited coaches…
Level B2MysteryFinding the Lost TreasureTwo siblings discover a cryptic family memorandum hinting at a lost treasure that might save their struggling family from foreclosure.
Level C1Children'sFindelkindA dreamy boy named Findelkind lives in a quaint mountain village beneath the towering Martinswand, where he spends his days lost in wonder and stories, caught between the magic of…
Level A2PoetryFigures in Verse and Simple Rhymes, for Little Learners (Second Series; No. 2)Engage young minds with playful verses that teach numbers and simple rhymes, blending counting and rhythm to make early learning fun and memorable.
Level B2HistoricalFighting with French: A Tale of the New ArmyAs young men train in the art of jujutsu and prepare to enlist, a new army faces the looming threat of war.
Level B2AdventureFighting the WhalesA young boy faces hunger and despair in a struggling seaport town, but a fateful encounter sets him on a perilous journey into the brutal world of whale hunting, where man battles…
Level B2AdventureFighting the Sea; Or, Winter at the Life-Saving StationA daring sailor from a life-saving station climbs a church steeple to fix a twisted weather vane, but when his ladder breaks, he’s left stranded high above the ground—setting the s…
Level C1AdventureFighting the FlamesIn a cold London night, a stern railway magnate and his grieving daughter face hidden struggles behind their elegant fireside.
Level B2AdventureFighting in FranceTwo American brothers join the French army during World War I, facing the brutal reality of trench warfare and aerial combat as they prepare for a decisive attack in the war-torn p…
Level B2AdventureFighting in Cuban watersAmid the fiery battles of the Spanish-American War, a young sailor joins the flagship Brooklyn, navigating blockades and naval clashes that will test his courage and resolve.
Level B2AdventureFighting for the RightAmid the Civil War's turmoil, a young naval officer wounded in battle wrestles with duty and recovery, embodying the quiet heroism of those who fight not just on the battlefield bu…
Level B1MysteryFighting for fortuneA thrilling collection of clean, adventurous tales follows young heroes as they strive for success and fortune, embodying the spirit of fair play and determination in the great out…
Level B2AdventureFighting King GeorgeAs tensions ignite in 1775 Charleston, young Tom Deering and his mighty companion Cole navigate the turbulent waters of revolution and personal vengeance against the brutal British…
Level C1AdventureFighting Joe; Or, The Fortunes of a Staff Officer. A Story of the Great RebellionFollow Captain Thomas Somers as he navigates the chaos of the Civil War, balancing daring military exploits with personal loyalty and honor amid a nation on the brink of collapse.
Level C1HistoricalFifty-two Stories of the British Navy, from Damme to Trafalgar.Explore fifty-two gripping tales tracing the rise of the British Navy from early Saxon battles against the Danes to the legendary conflict at Trafalgar, revealing how maritime cour…
Level B2Children'sFifty-Two Stories For GirlsAt Miss Melford’s school, young Gloria Dene befriends a gifted music mistress whose soaring voice and tragic past intertwine with romance, ambition, and unexpected peril—where a si…
Level B2Children'sFifty Famous People: A Book of Short StoriesDiscover inspiring tales of fifty remarkable individuals whose real-life deeds shaped history, each story blending truth with moral lessons to engage and uplift young readers throu…