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Meet the Classics

For Teachers

Meet the Classics books are complete retellings of great novels for ages 6–9, in English and in bilingual editions that pair every English sentence with its translation. Here’s how classrooms, homeschools and libraries use them.

Bilingual editions in the classroom

Explore the bilingual editions

Each bilingual edition keeps the same story, the same illustrations and the same English text as the English book. Beneath every English sentence is its translation in Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), French, German or Korean, so students can lean on one language while they grow in the other.

  • ESL / ELL

    Students read a real classic in English with their home language right beneath each sentence, a support they can use less as they gain confidence.

  • Dual-language & immersion

    Both languages share the page, so partner reading and side-by-side comparison come naturally. Read a page in one language, retell it in the other.

  • World-language classes

    English speakers learning Spanish, Chinese, French, German or Korean meet a story they can follow, with the English there to check meaning.

  • Homeschool & libraries

    One book serves the whole family or a mixed-language storytime. Libraries can offer the same classic in English and in bilingual editions.

Classroom sets

Ordering for a class, school or library? Tell us which book, which edition and how many copies, and we’ll reply by email with the options.

For adults only. We use these details only to answer your request.

ISBNs for schools and libraries

ISBNs are listed here as each edition is published.

BookEditionISBNStatus
Pride and PrejudiceEnglishTo be announcedAvailable
Little WomenEnglishTo be announcedComing soon
Sense and SensibilityEnglishTo be announcedComing soon
EmmaEnglishTo be announcedComing soon
Mansfield ParkEnglishTo be announcedComing soon
Northanger AbbeyEnglishTo be announcedComing soon

Reading at home

Each book tells the whole story in eight to ten short chapters, so it fits easily into bedtime reading: one chapter a night is a gentle, satisfying pace.

Younger readers (6–7) usually enjoy the books read aloud, pausing on each picture to talk about what’s happening. Confident readers (8–9) can read on their own — every page has a short passage of about 60 to 100 words beside a full-page illustration.

Look out for the quote cards: real lines from the original novel, so children hear the author’s own words alongside the retelling.

  • Pause on the pictures. Ask “What do you think she’s feeling?” before turning the page.
  • Do the voices. Mrs. Bennet’s flutters and Mr. Collins’s bows are made for reading aloud.
  • Revisit a favorite chapter. Children love returning to the muddy walk or the grand ball.

In the classroom

The short chapters map neatly onto a two- or three-week unit: one chapter per session, with time to discuss, draw, and retell.

Because the retellings keep the real plot and characters, they make a friendly first step into literature that students will meet again later — and a natural way to talk about character, kindness, and changing your mind.

  • Use the character cards for retelling: students order the cards and tell the story back.
  • Pair each chapter with two discussion questions from our free guide.
  • Build vocabulary with words from the story — stile, petticoat, estate — and their kid-friendly meanings.

Gentle, but true to the story

We keep the heart of every classic and leave out anything frightening. Conflicts are real — misunderstandings, proud words, family worries — but they’re told in a way that suits young readers, and every story ends with warmth.

Discussion guides & activities

All free resources

Questions from teachers & parents

Is the English in a bilingual edition the same as the English book?

Yes. The English text is the same retelling, sentence for sentence, with the translation added beneath each sentence. The illustrations are the same too.

Which languages are available?

English paired with Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), French, German or Korean. Each book’s page shows which bilingual editions it has.

Do you offer classroom pricing?

Send a classroom-set inquiry with the book, edition and quantity, and we’ll reply by email.

Is it the whole story?

Yes. Each book retells the complete novel from beginning to end, with its main characters and turning points, in words a young reader can follow.

What ages are the books for?

Ages 6–9. Younger children enjoy them read aloud; older children can read them independently.

How long is each book?

About 72 pages, with a full-color illustration on every page and a short passage of text alongside it.

Are the activities really free?

Yes. Most printables download straight away. A few, like the full activity pack, are a thank-you for joining our email list (for adults only).

See the books

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