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Illustrated classics, always free.

Stories to share with a grown-up: read or listen here on our hosted shelves, read elsewhere on a provider's site, or borrow from your library. A separate collection from our original stories.

Ages 10–12 · extra area · freeReader LabThoughtful book picks, codebreaking, logic trails and a private writing desk.

Searches our hosted shelf and our short hand-picked list of outside links. It does not search library or provider catalogs.

Read here: checking

Listen here: 3 recordings

Read elsewhere: 9 links

Listen here

Complete LibriVox audiobooks that play right on this page. Each is a standalone recording, separate from our picture books.

These LibriVox recordings are public domain in the United States. Rules differ elsewhere and we have not checked them. We do not look up your location; we simply ask.

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  • LibriVox recording cover for The Tale of Peter Rabbit

    The Tale of Peter Rabbit

    Beatrix Potter

    Read by Kara Shallenberg for LibriVox

    6.8 minutes · Full audiobook

    Collection artwork: The Great Big Treasury of Beatrix Potter

    Listen hereAges 3–5Ages 5–7AnimalsAdventurePublic Domain US

    A curious little rabbit slips into Mr. McGregor’s garden. A complete LibriVox audiobook to listen to here.

    For grown-ups:Includes a rabbit being chased and a reference to Peter’s father being put in a pie.

    Audio only: a complete standalone recording. It does not turn pages or follow a particular printed edition.

    The player appears after the grown-up check above.

    See an illustrated edition
    Recording source and rights
    Reader
    Kara Shallenberg, LibriVox volunteer
    Source
    LibriVox recording page(opens in a new tab)
    License
    Public Domain US(opens in a new tab)
  • LibriVox recording cover for The Story of the Three Little Pigs

    The Story of the Three Little Pigs

    L. Leslie Brooke

    Read by Denny Sayers for LibriVox

    9.0 minutes · Full audiobook

    Listen hereAges 5–7Ages 7–10AnimalsFairy TalesPublic Domain US

    Three houses and a determined wolf in the traditional 1904 story. A complete LibriVox audiobook to listen to here.

    For grown-ups:The original tale includes pigs being eaten and the wolf dying; not a softened modern retelling. Listen together.

    Audio only: a complete standalone recording. It does not turn pages or follow a particular printed edition.

    The player appears after the grown-up check above.

    Illustrated edition (opens Project Gutenberg in a new tab)
    Recording source and rights
    Reader
    Denny Sayers, LibriVox volunteer
    Source
    LibriVox recording page(opens in a new tab)
    License
    Public Domain US(opens in a new tab)
  • LibriVox recording cover for The Velveteen Rabbit

    The Velveteen Rabbit

    Margery Williams

    Read by Marlo Dianne for LibriVox

    28.8 minutes · Full audiobook

    Listen hereAges 5–7Ages 7–10Ages 10–12FantasyAnimalsPublic Domain US

    A much-loved toy rabbit discovers what it means to become real. A complete LibriVox audiobook to listen to here.

    For grown-ups:Includes illness and the planned burning of a toy; some children may want a grown-up nearby.

    Audio only: a complete standalone recording. It does not turn pages or follow a particular printed edition.

    The player appears after the grown-up check above.

    Illustrated edition (opens Project Gutenberg in a new tab)
    Recording source and rights
    Reader
    Marlo Dianne, LibriVox volunteer
    Source
    LibriVox recording page(opens in a new tab)
    License
    Public Domain US(opens in a new tab)

Read here

Read elsewhere

Hand-picked links that open on Project Gutenberg or LibriVox. Not hosted here, and no account needed on our site.

  • Illustrated edition at Project Gutenberg

    The Tale of Peter Rabbit

    Beatrix Potter

    Read elsewhereanimalsrabbits

    For grown-ups:Share the pictures and read aloud with a grown-up. Includes a chase and a reference to Peter's father's death; preview first.

    Read at Project Gutenberg (opens Project Gutenberg in a new tab)

    Opens on Project Gutenberg, not this site

  • Illustrated edition at Project Gutenberg

    The Story of the Three Little Pigs

    L. Leslie Brooke

    Read elsewhereanimalspigs

    For grown-ups:A traditional illustrated version, not a softened modern retelling. Includes animals being eaten and the wolf's death; a grown-up should preview it.

    Read at Project Gutenberg (opens Project Gutenberg in a new tab)

    Opens on Project Gutenberg, not this site

  • Illustrated edition at Project Gutenberg

    The Velveteen Rabbit

    Margery Williams Bianco

    Read elsewherefriendshipbelonging

    For grown-ups:Read together and discuss belonging and change. Includes illness and the planned burning of a treasured toy.

    Read at Project Gutenberg (opens Project Gutenberg in a new tab)

    Opens on Project Gutenberg, not this site

  • Illustrated edition at Project Gutenberg

    Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

    Lewis Carroll

    Read elsewhereadventureimagination

    For grown-ups:This illustrated 1916 abridged edition has fantasy peril and old-fashioned language. Talk about wordplay together.

    Read at Project Gutenberg (opens Project Gutenberg in a new tab)

    Opens on Project Gutenberg, not this site

  • Illustrated edition at Project Gutenberg

    The Secret Garden

    Frances Hodgson Burnett

    Read elsewheregardenfriendship

    For grown-ups:An older-reader discussion pick, including ages 10–12. Contains bereavement, racist colonial language and outdated disability attitudes; preview and discuss with a grown-up.

    Read at Project Gutenberg (opens Project Gutenberg in a new tab)

    Opens on Project Gutenberg, not this site

  • Illustrated edition at Project Gutenberg

    The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

    L. Frank Baum

    Read elsewhereadventurefriendship

    For grown-ups:An illustrated older-reader adventure, including ages 10–12. Contains danger, death and animal violence; discuss courage, friendship and the difference between appearance and evidence.

    Read at Project Gutenberg (opens Project Gutenberg in a new tab)

    Opens on Project Gutenberg, not this site

  • Audiobook at LibriVox

    The Secret Garden

    Frances Hodgson Burnett

    Read elsewheregardenfriendship

    For grown-ups:A separate chaptered audiobook read by Kara Shallenberg. Preview the historic language, bereavement and disability themes. Not checked for synchronization with our illustrated picks.

    Listen at LibriVox (opens LibriVox in a new tab)

    Opens on LibriVox, not this site

  • Audiobook at LibriVox

    The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

    L. Frank Baum

    Read elsewhereadventurefriendship

    For grown-ups:A separate chaptered audiobook read by J. Hall. Includes fantasy peril and violence. Not a synchronized soundtrack for the illustrated edition.

    Listen at LibriVox (opens LibriVox in a new tab)

    Opens on LibriVox, not this site

  • Audiobook at LibriVox

    The Railway Children

    E. Nesbit

    Read elsewherefamilykindness

    For grown-ups:A chaptered audiobook read by Karen Savage for older readers, including ages 10–12. Includes family separation, wrongful imprisonment and dangerous railway situations; preview with a grown-up.

    Listen at LibriVox (opens LibriVox in a new tab)

    Opens on LibriVox, not this site