10 Children’s Books to Start Reading in English

Did you know September 13th is Roald Dahl Day?

If you don’t already know Roald Dahl, you don’t need to look far to find his work: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and James and the Giant Peach were all magicked up by the beloved British author. For many children across the UK, Roald Dahl is their very first introduction to reading.

Starting your reading journey in a foreign language is always a little bit intimidating: there are tonnes of words you don’t understand, you feel like you’re constantly looking things up, and suddenly you’re spending more time googling the word mantelpiece than you are actually reading (read: it’s the shelf above a fireplace).

The solution? Start with children’s books. The language is simpler, the plots are easier to follow, and you can build your confidence without reaching for a dictionary every other word.

Besides, children’s books are often overlooked by adult readers, but many are masterpieces in their own right. Because whether you’re 8 or 80, chocolate is still delicious and magic is still magic.

So, in celebration of Roald Dahl Day, here are 10 children’s books to check out this month – even if it’s your first time reading in English 📚

1) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Difficulty: ⭐

What child (or adult) wouldn’t dream of finding a golden ticket to the world’s most extraordinary chocolate factory?

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a great starting point for English learners because it’s short, funny, and full of quick dialogue, making it relatively easy to follow. Try watching the film with subtitles before diving into the original story – you’ll already know what happens, so you can focus on the language.

2) Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you’re an advanced learner looking for more of a challenge, this one’s for you. Written in the 19th century, you’ll find lots of older vocabulary and expressions you might not encounter in everyday English.

The heartfelt story and memorable characters more than make up for the occasional linguistic setback, however. Plus, who wouldn’t want to sprinkle a little 19th-century vocabulary into their English?

3) Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone by J. K. Rowling

Difficulty: ⭐⭐

There’s a good chance you already know the story of Harry Potter. Maybe you’ve even read it in your own language – which makes the first book in the series a particularly good choice for English learners.

The writing is simple and the familiar story means you don’t have to work too hard to understand what’s happening. You’ll also pick up plenty of British vocabulary along the way too!

4) A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐

Find a lot of children’s literature a little too... happy? If you need a bit more darkness in your reading, try A Series of Unfortunate Events.

The writing is straightforward and aimed at children, but the themes can get surprisingly mature. It’s also the perfect pick to expand your vocabulary: the author deliberately uses more sophisticated words and pauses to explain them to the reader.

Just don’t expect things to go particularly well for the protagonists.

5) James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

Difficulty: ⭐

Another whimsical tale from Roald Dahl about a giant peach, a group of talking insects, and a boy called James. What more could you want?

Like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach is short and easy to read. It’s also a great book to read aloud and practise your pronunciation at the same time.

6) His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ready for something more challenging? Enter the world of His Dark Materials.

Phillip Pullman’s famous fantasy trilogy is aimed at older children and teenagers, so the ideas and vocabulary are significantly more complex than Dahl’s books. Because of this, it’s better suited to more advanced learners, but it’s also an excellent introduction to contemporary English fiction.

7) The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐

Step through the wardrobe and into Narnia.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a classic for a reason, and its relatively straightforward storytelling and dialogue make it another great entry point into classic English fiction.

C.S Lewis was writing in the 1950s, however, so some vocabulary and expressions might feel slightly old-fashioned to modern English learners. It’s a good choice for intermediate learners who want to try a classic without tackling something as demanding as Little Women.

8) The Hobbit by J RR Tolkien

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bilbo Baggins might be a hobbit, but reading Tolkien’s children’s classic is no small feat.

Although originally written for younger readers, Tolkien’s language can be surprisingly challenging for English learners. You’ll find lots of archaic vocabulary, elaborate descriptions, songs, poems, and plenty of invented fantasy words.

It’s a step up from Roald Dahl, but if you’re an advanced learner looking for a challenge, it’s a wonderful introduction to Tolkien’s magical world.

9) The Witches by Roald Dahl

Difficulty: ⭐⭐

Already in the mood for spooky season?

The Witches is another short and accessible read from Roald Dahl about a young boy who encounters a group of English witches with a devious hatred of children.

Check out the 1990 or 2020 film adaptation for a fun way to familiarise yourself with the story first!

10) The Giver by Lois Lowry

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐

While technically a young adult read, the language is simple and the book is short enough to feel manageable for less advanced readers.

The Giver follows Jonas, a boy living in a seemingly perfect society where pain, conflict, and choice have been eliminated. But not all is as simple as it first seems, as Jonas learns that there’s more to life than feeling comfortable.

This is a great choice if you’re not quite sold on the idea of children’s fiction but still don’t feel ready for adult fiction in English.

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