Stories for 8+ years old

These stories should be understandable for eight years olds. However, we believe they can be fun at any age above that as well. The age requirements are based on vocabulary, topics, and overall story length.

The Good-natured Imps

The Good-natured Imps

11
 min
5
+
4.52

What (or who!) keeps plants healthy and ensures they grow well? The process of nurturing all the greenery is not always straightforward. In this story, we get to the root of it. Here you’ll be transported to the world in which teeny-tiny imps secretly look after the forest, taking good care of the natural environment and ensuring that it prospers.

The Monkey and the Turtle

The Monkey and the Turtle

8
 min
8
+
4.52

Don’t expect to see the fruit of your work without putting in the effort required. A turtle and a monkey pull a banana tree out of the river. They immediately divide it into two parts. The monkey insists on getting the top, which has nice green leaves. The lower part (without leaves) is all that remains for the turtle. The turtle takes care of its part all the more, and soon it is covered in bananas and ready for harvesting - while the monkey watches as the top of the tree slowly dries up.

The Man Behind the Messy Mould

The Man Behind the Messy Mould

6
 min
5
+
4.52

Alec's head was always busy with so many ideas it made him forgetful and untidy. And he always had a runny nose, too! So when he grew up, he became a doctor. He wanted to find a cure for bacteria, which could be deadly. And after not just one, but two accidents, he discovered something really special. Read on to find out more!

The Exercise Book Alliance

The Exercise Book Alliance

11
 min
8
+
4.52

Jack’s mum comes up with an idea to help him stop forgetting to take all his books to school – she sticks them together into one giant book. She has no idea, though, how much the different subjects in the book will constantly argue and fight. Will they eventually learn how to put up with one another, or even work together?

The Evil Sons

The Evil Sons

5
 min
8
+
4.5

This Indian story is about an old man who, at the end of his life, carefully divides all his property between three sons. Sadly for him, he receives no gratitude from them at all in return. Annoyed, the old man eventually comes up with a way to give his ungrateful sons the lesson they truly deserve.

The Pearl Diver

The Pearl Diver

10
 min
8
+
4.5

This story will transport you to Portugal, where you will encounter an unusually successful pearl diver. But diving to collect pearls from the seabed is no easy task! Come with Tiago, the story’s hero, and find out what you have to do if you want to be really good at something.

Orpheus and Eurydice

Orpheus and Eurydice

12
 min
8
+
4.5

In this story, you and your children can explore one of the best-known Greek myths. You’ll read about the lovers Orpheus and Eurydice, about Orpheus’s journey to the underworld and about the incredible things that love makes possible. You’ll also find out more about the role of the storyteller or writer and about how stories are invented and how they can change.

A Raindrop

A Raindrop

7
 min
5
+
4.48

A little schoolgirl called Jane is stuck because it's raining outside and she got soaked without an umbrella. However, when she meets a magical raindrop, she learns from it how important rain is to all of us - and what a long journey awaits every drop in the natural world.

Myth of the Minotaur

Myth of the Minotaur

9
 min
8
+
4.48

This well-known Greek legend takes us into the lives of the kings and queens, as they intermingle with gods and magic in these ancient times. Eventually the story brings us, along with Theseus, into a huge, complex labyrinth in the middle of which lurks a fierce creature called the Minotaur. In order to save human lives, Theseus must slay the Minotaur. But can the hero survive this challenge, and will he ever find his way out of the maze?

The Woman and Her Bear

The Woman and Her Bear

8
 min
5
+
4.47

A lonely old Inuit woman is given a polar bear cub. She raises it as her son and they are very happy together. The village also likes the bear and includes it in their activities. But as the bear gets older, it gets bigger...

The Three Slackers

The Three Slackers

10
 min
5
+
4.44

These three brothers, who by now were grown men, only knew how to be lazy and idle. They avoided any notion of work, yet they longed for wealth and happiness. In order to survive in the easiest possible way, they decided to look for a treasure chest. But can such slackers manage to find one? And if so, will it be filled with the treasures they were expecting?

Philemon and Baucis

Philemon and Baucis

9
 min
8
+
4.43

This is an ancient Greek story of generosity, a beautiful relationship and lifelong love between spouses Philemon and Baucis. For their kindness and service to the Greek gods, they wanted nothing more than to die at the same time so they wouldn't have to be without each other. Their story teaches us about the value of lifelong true love, and about peacefully accepting that all life has an end.

Pandora’s Box

Pandora’s Box

9
 min
5
+
4.42

Who is Pandora and what is hidden in the magic box she was given by Zeus? Here we venture to the ancient world, at a time when the Greek gods roamed among the humans and generally had the upper hand. This tale has us pondering over the meaning of good and bad, happy and sad, and all of the many facets of everyday existence. It teaches us that the positive and negative are utterly connected, and helps us see that life is fascinating.

The Little Tailor

The Little Tailor

11
 min
5
+
4.42

In this Austrian fairy tale, you will travel the world with a tailor who seems rather small and ordinary, but has some magical gifts. Will he be able to withstand the challenges he faces? How can he win a battle with an evil giant?

The Sacred Stone of Namuncura

The Sacred Stone of Namuncura

9
 min
8
+
4.4

This interesting tale from South America teaches us that we have to take good care of the things we are in charge of. Deep in the Amazon rainforest there once lived a native Indian tribe. The inhabitants of the settlement by the river had been taking care of a miraculous stone for many years. They believed its great power would protect them from danger. One of the seniors decides not to take care of the stone anymore, and strange things begin to happen.

Broad, Long and Sharpsight

Broad, Long and Sharpsight

15
 min
8
+
4.4

When we join forces, we can overcome difficult obstacles. An adventurous story about how a young man chooses to win the heart of a princess. Three brave helpers, who he meets on the way to the castle, help him to overcome the obstacles and difficult tasks that stand in his way.

Iktomi and Muskrat

Iktomi and Muskrat

8
 min
5
+
4.37

Iktomi is a Dakota Native American, a lazy trickster, who is hiding with a pot of soup. When a friend comes by, instead of sharing the soup he tries to trick him with a race. But tricks don’t always work!

How Granny Maryann Forgot About Workplace Safety

How Granny Maryann Forgot About Workplace Safety

7
 min
8
+
4.35

Granny Maryann is cleaning the glass recycling factory, like she does every day, but this time her order is disturbed by the disruptive spider Servus and his web. In the heat of the moment, Maryann forgets about safety at work. It would have ended tragically - if it hadn't been for the unexpected help of Servus.

Questions about

Stories for 8+ years old

How can I encourage my 8-year-old to read more often?

To encourage your 8-year-old to read more often, consider the following strategies:

  • select books that match their interests and reading level. At Readmio, you can find a range of genres and series that might captivate their attention.
  • set aside dedicated time for reading each day, such as before bedtime or after school. Consistency helps build a reading habit.
  • discuss the stories, ask questions, and make predictions about what will happen next. This interaction makes reading more engaging and fun.
  • utilize Readmio’s interactive features and audio versions to make reading more dynamic and enjoyable.

How often should my child be reading at home?

For optimal literacy development, aim for your child to read at home daily. About 20-30 minutes of reading time each day is ideal. This regular practice helps build reading skills, vocabulary, and comprehension. Incorporating a mix of independent reading, shared reading, and listening to stories can make this time enjoyable and effective.

Can Readmio help my child improve their reading comprehension?

Yes, Readmio can help improve your child’s reading comprehension through several features. First of all, our stories are enriched by music and sounds that engage children and encourage active participation. All Readmio include questions after reading and interactive quizzes that help children think critically about the text and discuss what they have read.A wide range of stories with different themes and genres helps expand vocabulary and comprehension skills by exposing children to varied contexts and language.

Is it still important to read aloud to 8 year old children?

Yes, reading aloud to 8-year-olds remains important for many reasons. Hearing fluent reading helps children understand proper pronunciation, intonation, and pacing.Even at this age children are exposed to new words and phrases that they might not encounter in their own reading. Moreover, reading aloud together fosters a love of books and strengthens the parent-child bond. At this age children are already capable and willing to discuss the story, which enhances comprehension and critical thinking.Reading aloud complements their independent reading and supports their overall literacy development.