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.

King Midas and the Golden Touch

King Midas and the Golden Touch

10
 min
5
+
4.65

In this traditional Greek story about King Midas, you will learn why we need to think carefully about what we wish for. Sometimes even when we have the best intentions, our decisions can bring disaster – as King Midas discovered, when he wished for everything he touched to turn to gold. Fortunately, it all turned out well in the end!

The Woman and Her Bear

The Woman and Her Bear

8
 min
5
+
4.64

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...

Rapunzel

Rapunzel

9
 min
5
+
4.64

A jealous witch wanted to have the beautiful Rapunzel all to herself, so she locked her up in a tower with no door. The only way up there was on Rapunzel’s long, golden plait. A prince, however, decided to thwart the witch’s plans and set Rapunzel free.

Iktomi and Muskrat

Iktomi and Muskrat

8
 min
5
+
4.63

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!

The Donkey, the Table and the Stick

The Donkey, the Table and the Stick

15
 min
5
+
4.62

This English fairy tale is about a boy named Jack who sets out to roam the world. He gets many magical gifts for his hard work, but the greedy innkeeper always robs him of everything. Will Jack manage to punish the greedy man in the end?

A Raindrop

A Raindrop

7
 min
5
+
4.62

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.

The Good-natured Imps

The Good-natured Imps

11
 min
5
+
4.61

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 Owl They Called Stupid

The Owl They Called Stupid

7
 min
8
+
4.61

It seems Pauline the owl is not as wise as the other owls, and this bothers her a lot. However, a doctor fixes this problem, and Pauline finds out she’s not stupid after all.

The Exercise Book Alliance

The Exercise Book Alliance

11
 min
8
+
4.61

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 Little Tailor

The Little Tailor

11
 min
5
+
4.61

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 Crows and the Cobra

The Crows and the Cobra

8
 min
8
+
4.6

Even if it seems impossible, our wits can help us overcome the most difficult obstacles. The story teaches us that even the most powerful enemy can be defeated - one has to just think a bit. When a dangerous cobra moves in near the crow’s nest, they start to fear for their lives. They eventually learn how to get rid of the cobra from the wise old jackal.

The Quarrelling Letters

The Quarrelling Letters

8
 min
5
+
4.6

One day the letters in books start arguing and a huge mess ensues. Because of their fights, the books cannot be read at all. But one clever little girl decides to put it all in order - and solve the big alphabet quarrel.

Jake’s Big Ears

Jake’s Big Ears

6
 min
5
+
4.6

Jake’s classmates laugh at him because of his ears. They are too big, unlike the small ears of his friends. However, everything changes the moment Jake turns the mockery to his advantage. Find out what he can do, thanks to his ears, in this story about tolerance and diversity.

Pandora’s Box

Pandora’s Box

9
 min
5
+
4.59

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 Good Witch and the Apple Tree

The Good Witch and the Apple Tree

10
 min
8
+
4.59

When three brothers cannot find a girl they want to marry, they ask the village elder for advice. She’s a good witch and gives them good advice, but it’s not so easy to carry out. Can the boys follow her instructions and find their ideal brides?... This traditional folktale shows the importance of forgiveness and compassion.

Eros and Psyche

Eros and Psyche

12
 min
8
+
4.57

Come with us into the world of ancient myths and discover how the god of love Eros fell for a beautiful girl called Psyche. Can love be prevented? How can curiosity and pride get the better of us? Find out in this story.

Elbow Beard

Elbow Beard

13
 min
8
+
4.57

A classic story of how good wins over evil. An evil stepmother, who spoils her own daughter, throws her loving and hard-working stepdaughter out of the house. When Elbow Beard, a little old man with a largely long beard, appears, the stepmother and his daughter soon pay for their greed.

Camping with a Dinosaur

Camping with a Dinosaur

7
 min
5
+
4.57

Vanessa and Simon are twins who set out to camp in the woods with their family. However, they see a scary shadow which looks a lot like... a dinosaur! It gives them quite a fright. Where did it come from? You’ll find out in this fun and educational story.

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.