The 18 best short stories in English (for kids)

Do you want your child to learn English? A good and effective way to do it is through reading and from a very early age. Reading helps the child become familiar with grammatical structures, vocabulary and pronunciation.

The reason for promoting this learning from a young age is that at an earlier age, the brain is more plastic. In other words, it works like a sponge and 'absorbs' information and therefore learning in a more effective way.

• It may interest you: "The 25 best traditional and classic tales"

18 short stories for children in English

The best way to know and master a language is practice and repetition: if you listen to, read and speak that language a lot, you will get a good learning of that language.

A good way to promote this learning is through reading, and on the other hand, we will promote a positive attitude towards learning a language, so it could be said that we killed two birds by one threw.

In this article we bring you a recommended series of short stories in English for children

, with annotations and benefits of why these short stories in English are also useful at the content level.

1. Pinocchio, by Carlo Collodi

We start the list of short stories in English with this classic of world literature. In short story format, this children's story that we all probably already know is about the value of honesty.

There are many versions in bookstores, so you will surely find its version in English for children.

2. Where's Spot?, by Eric Hill

This story can be found in book format for the little ones (1-2 years). The protagonist is a puppy that the little one has to look for. He has a simple and basic vocabulary to start learning.

The book is illustrated with little text, a white background, and numerous images.

3. Merlin the Wizard by Godfrey of Monmouth

A story that is part of the short stories in English where the protagonist is a fantastic being; a magician. For children to develop imagination and creativity.

4. The mikmail and her pail by Aarne-Thompson-Uther

This story is about greed and its consequences. Basically it is the fable of the milkmaid and the story of the ambitious accounts of him. If you want the story in a short version and in English, you will find it for all ages and levels.

5. Hansel and Gretel by the Brothers Grimm

Another classic of children's literature. This is a story read from generation to generation. Its simple and short version in English makes it easier for children to develop a taste for reading and, in particular, to become infatuated with short stories in English.

6. The Ant and the Grasshopper, by Escopo

This ancient and traditional story is one of the short stories in English, in fable format, ideal to begin teaching values ​​to children through morals.

7. Ten little fingers and ten little toes, by Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury

This is a story that exists in a bilingual version format, therefore it is ideal for learning.

The book is about babies who are born in very different places. The text is rhyming and repetitive, thus facilitating the child's participation and memory. It is recommended for around 2 years.

8. The very hungry caterpillar, by Eric Carle

It is a story made book that tells the story of a very small caterpillar with a lot of hunger. Throughout history the caterpillar is eating and finally it turns into a butterfly.

It is very illustrative and deals with many basic elements such as the days of the week, colors, numbers, etc. It is in book format for children 3-4 years old.

9. The pigeon needs a bath by Mo Willems

Another of the short stories in English with an animal as the main character. This story tells the adventure of a pigeon to take a bath. In book format for about 3 years.

10. The cat in the hat by Dr. Seuss

This story in English, book version, is recommended for slightly older children: about 5-6 years old.

With a slightly more elaborate text, the story is about a peculiar and extravagant cat. It has a large vocabulary and slightly more elaborate grammatical structures. It also presents some very animated and funny illustrations.

11. Brown bear, brown bear, What do you see?, by Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle

This is a classic of short stories in English for children. It is a story with repetitive text that deals with animals and colors. The pages of the book contain simple questions, with their answers contiguous. It is recommended for 2 or more years.

12. The Gingerbread Man

Barbara McClintock's version of this story is ideal for reading a Christmas story to children, due to its illustrations and easy-to-follow text. The story is about a gingerbread cookie who one day suddenly becomes a man.

13. The Princess and the Pea, by Hans Christian Andersen

Another famous tale. Like all the classics, it exists in several versions in bookstores. Nice story about princesses and queens.

14. Leaf by Sandra Dieckmann

This book is geared toward 3-4 year olds. It is a highly illustrated book that tells the story of a polar bear that reaches a forest far from his usual home.

15. The Vain Little Mouse

Who has not heard of the smug little mouse? This is one of the short stories in English with the most versions.

16. What's in the witch's kitchen, by Nick Sharratt

Another of the curious short stories in English that deals with a fantastic character (witch) and what she keeps in her kitchen.

The story is in book format, with fold-out illustrations that facilitate reading adherence. Recommended for children from 5 years of age.

17. Pete the cat, rocking in my school shoes, by Eric Litwin and James Dean

This book is ideal for children between the ages of 3 and 5, as it contains a song that is repeated with small variations.

Pete, the main character, lives one day at school and all his adventures are narrated. It is a dynamic book, as it asks the reader questions about the protagonists. .

18. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs by Walt Disney

And finally, we end up with another classic. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is the first animated video produced by Walt Disney and the first included in the group of “Walt Disney Classics”.

It is also one of the short stories in English with the most versions. It can be found edited in book form for many ages. Ideal for learning English while enjoying yourself.