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 B1MysteryFairview Boys at Camp Mystery; or, the Old Hermit and His SecretWhen the notorious bully Jed Burr returns to school promising to behave, three friends face the challenge of his reputation while uncovering secrets at their camp—and an old hermit…
Level B1MysteryFairview Boys and Their Rivals; or, Bob Bouncer's SchooldaysThree schoolboys face rivalry, mischief, and unexpected adventure when a runaway automobile threatens to crash near their school.
Level B1Children'sFairies I Have MetA lonely girl dreams of becoming a nightingale to sing sweetly and fly freely, seeking help from a wise magician who demands a costly price for magic.
Level B2FantasyFairies AfieldTwo young sisters, orphaned and struggling to survive, tend their beloved garden on the edge of a mysterious forest.
Level B1AdventureFacing the WorldOrphaned and guarded by a harsh relative, a young boy runs away and finds unexpected friendship with a traveling magician.
Level B2AdventureFacing the German FoeTwo Boy Scouts, Harry and Dick, discuss the growing threat of war with Germany and how their training prepares them for more than just adventure.
Level B1Children'sFables for Children, Stories for Children, Natural Science Stories, Popular Education, Decembrists, Moral TalesTimeless fables weave lessons of kindness, cunning, and consequences through tales of ants, lions, and clever mice.
Level C1Children'sEyes and No Eyes, and Other StoriesTwo boys take the same walk but experience it very differently—one finds the path dull, while the other discovers fascinating plants and hidden wonders.
Level B2Children'sEyebright: A StoryAt Miss Fitch’s school, young Isabella—nicknamed Eyebright—navigates the lively joys and small rebellions of childhood, from secret tree perches to the strict rules that shape her…
Level B2Children'sEye Service and Love ServiceTwo sisters prove the difference between mere "eye service" and true love by responsibly caring for their home and baby brother, resisting temptation and disobedience.
Level C1HistoricalExiled for the Faith: A Tale of the Huguenot PersecutionAmid the opulent courts of Renaissance France, a young Scottish noble seeks fortune and patronage while navigating the perilous religious tensions of the Huguenot persecution.
Level B2Children'sExcursion to the Orkney IslandsA family receives an unexpected letter inviting them to England, sparking excitement for a summer journey across the Atlantic.
Level B2FantasyEverychildA young boy named Everychild faces the giant Fear and embarks on a mysterious journey through enchanted realms, encountering legendary figures like Cinderella and the Sleeping Beau…
Level B2Children'sEverybody's businessIn the storm-battered village of Old Maxham, young Jessie senses trouble brewing beyond the crashing waves and restless wind.
Level B2PhilosophyEvery-day heroismA young boy battles a day filled with setbacks and frustration, learning from his mother that true heroism lies in conquering inner struggles and mastering self-control amidst life…
Level B2Children'sEvery Girl's Library, Volume 8 of 10: A Collection of Appropriate and Instructive Reading for Girls of All Ages from the Best Authors of All TimeTwo children, Paul and Virginia, share an inseparable bond in a simple island life untouched by the outside world.
Level C1PoetryEvenings at Home; Or, The Juvenile Budget OpenedA collection of engaging tales and lessons crafted to delight and instruct children from ages four to fourteen, blending simplicity with wisdom to inspire young minds and nurture t…
Level B2Children'sEvening TalesIn a whimsical world where hobgoblins and fairies roam, Brother Rabbit faces the cunning and boastful Brother Goat, whose tricks spark a clever plan to turn rivalry into friendship…
Level B2FantasyEva's Adventures in Shadow-LandA curious girl’s quiet afternoon by a pond turns magical when a talking toad beckons her into a mysterious shadow-land beneath the water’s surface, where enchanted moons and strang…
Level B2Children'sEunice and CricketTwo young girls embark on a charming adventure with their new Kodak camera, learning the art of photography through playful attempts to capture their lively friends and a mischievo…
Level C1HistoricalEtheldreda the Ready: A School StoryHoliday cheer turns to mystery as the Saxon family faces a sudden, unexplained change in their lives, culminating in a surprising holiday summons to a remote country house.
Level B1Children'sEthel's trialA young girl faces her fears and learns the value of courage, kindness, and responsibility as she encounters a rough but gentle boy and begins her journey toward becoming a devoted…
Level B1Children'sEthel Morton's HolidaysAs Halloween approaches in Rosemont, Roger Morton and his cousins prepare decorations and plan a fun, harmless party with their Service Club friends, determined to prove that misch…
Level B2Children'sEthel Morton's EnterpriseIn a snowy January, Ethel "Blue" Morton and her cousins explore the wonders of nature through a magnifying glass, dreaming of discovering hidden worlds beneath the snowflakes.
Level B2Children'sEthel Morton at Sweetbrier LodgeThree cousins bond over caring for newly hatched chicks and watch eagerly as a new house takes shape nearby, blending the wonders of nature and construction in a charming rural adv…
Level B2Children'sEthel Morton at Rose HouseIn a small New Jersey town, a spirited group of young club members plans to bring city children suffering from poverty to the countryside for a healing summer of fresh air, care, a…
Level B2Children'sEthel Morton at ChautauquaA family embarks on a summer journey to Chautauqua, guided by history and curiosity, as they explore the land once traveled by Native Americans carrying their canoes across obstacl…
Level B2Children'sEthel Morton and the Christmas ShipWhen a long-lost aunt and her daughter suddenly reconnect with the Morton family, a quiet town buzzes with new friendships, family secrets, and the promise of a heartwarming Christ…
Level B2Children'sEthel Hollister's Second Summer as a Campfire GirlSixteen-year-old Ethel yearns to escape her mother's social ambitions by joining the Camp Fire Girls, finding adventure and friendship despite family pressures and secrets.
Level B1Children'sEsther's triumphIn a harsh world where schoolyard judgments and family duties weigh heavily, Esther navigates challenges at home and school, confronting her own frustrations and the rough realitie…
Level B2AdventureEsther's Charge: A Story for GirlsA serious young girl becomes her mother's trusted advisor as they face the sudden arrival of two lively cousins needing care and education during their father's absence abroad.
Level B2Children'sEsther : a book for girlsA thoughtful girl named Esther navigates the challenges of youth, friendship, and self-discovery amidst the lively backdrop of Redmayne House and its surrounding adventures.
Level B2Children'sEster Ried Yet SpeakingIn a rain-soaked city, a young clerk wrestles with how to continue the meaningful work of his late sister, Ester, who was devoted to helping neglected boys.
Level B2Children'sEster RiedAmid the lively chaos of a bustling household, Ester Ried balances the demands of caring for boarders, managing household chores, and tending to her spirited niece, all while navig…
Level B2Children'sErnest Bracebridge: School DaysAt Grafton Hall, a distinguished school led by the respected and kind Doctor Carr, boys navigate the challenges of school life amid games, lessons, and camaraderie in a grand Eliza…
Level C1RomanceErling the BoldTwo fierce Norse warriors clash on a rocky island, each fighting for the hand of a fair maiden caught between duty and desire, where honor and love collide amid the rugged beauty o…
Level A2Children'sErick and SallyIn a quaint Swiss village, young Erick navigates schooldays filled with lessons, family, and the gentle challenges of childhood, inviting readers into a world where every moment sh…
Level C1Children'sEric; Or, Little by LittleA spirited boy eagerly anticipates starting school, but his cousin Fanny fears the harsh lessons and changes that may lie ahead.
Level B2AdventureEric: or, Under the SeaYoung adventurer Eric embarks on a thrilling journey through Europe, exploring ancient castles and diving beneath the sea in armor, where he discovers sunken treasures and faces ch…
Level C1Children'sEric, or Little by LittleA spirited boy eagerly anticipates school and the return of his parents, but his cousin fears the harsh lessons ahead might change him forever.
Level B2HistoricalEric, a waifIn a small village on the edge of Epping Forest, young Eric Hunter faces suspicion and isolation after his mother's mysterious death, as whispers of witchcraft and outsider fears s…
Level A2PoetryEric's Book of BeastsWhimsical watercolors and playful jingles bring to life a charming menagerie of beasts, from elephants to crocodiles, blending humor and imagination to delight children and adults…
Level B2HistoricalEnglish Literature for Boys and GirlsExplore the rich evolution of storytelling, from ancient fireside tales of war to the refined literature shaped by monks and minstrels, revealing how stories reflect the changing l…
Level C1Children'sEnglish Fairy TalesA brave young knight, marked by mysterious signs, escapes a wicked enchantress and embarks on a quest to save a land plagued by a fearsome dragon.
Level B2Children'sEnemiesA proud boy struggles with the sting of poverty and family rejection after his mother is turned away by her wealthy father-in-law.
Level B2Children'sEmmy Lou: Her Book and HeartIn a bustling primer class, shy Emmy Lou struggles to catch up with her classmates until a mischievous boy’s playful challenge offers her a glimpse of friendship and courage in a w…
Level C1Children'sEmmy Lou's Road to Grace: Being a Little Pilgrim's ProgressA young girl named Emmy Lou struggles to reconcile her innocent understanding of right and wrong with the confusing lessons of home, church, and school.
Level B2HistoricalEmily of New MoonIn a secluded house surrounded by birch trees, young Emily finds solace in nature, books, and her loyal pets as she navigates loneliness and mysterious moments called "the flash.