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 Little Match Girl

The Little Match Girl

12
 min
8
+
4.58

This touching story reminds us to be more attentive, empathetic, and caring. It has a sad ending and is about a poor girl who wanders the streets alone in winter. No one either notices, or helps her.

King Midas and the Golden Touch

King Midas and the Golden Touch

10
 min
5
+
4.58

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 Good Witch and the Apple Tree

The Good Witch and the Apple Tree

10
 min
8
+
4.57

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.

Rabbi Loew and the Golem

Rabbi Loew and the Golem

10
 min
5
+
4.56

Let this story carry you off to Renaissance Prague, a city of mystery and alchemy, where Rabbi Loew managed to do something unheard of: bring the legendary golem, a clay statue, to life.

The Good-natured Imps

The Good-natured Imps

11
 min
5
+
4.55

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.

Jake’s Big Ears

Jake’s Big Ears

6
 min
5
+
4.55

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.

The Pearl Diver

The Pearl Diver

10
 min
8
+
4.55

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.

The Monkey and the Drum

The Monkey and the Drum

11
 min
5
+
4.53

When a clumsy monkey gets a thorn in its tail, it has no choice but to rely on human help. However, it very quickly abuses this help and shows its greed. In this way the monkey gets a lot of things from people in exchange.

The Owl They Called Stupid

The Owl They Called Stupid

7
 min
8
+
4.53

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 Little Tailor

The Little Tailor

11
 min
5
+
4.53

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?

Deucalion and Pyrrha

Deucalion and Pyrrha

7
 min
8
+
4.52

Being cruel to others can come back to bite us. Seeing the immense cruelty of humanity, Zeus decides to send a huge flood to the ground to punish the people for their anger. Only Deucalion and Pyrrha will survive.

The Woman and Her Bear

The Woman and Her Bear

8
 min
5
+
4.5

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 Legend of Vanilla

The Legend of Vanilla

6
 min
5
+
4.5

Beautiful Xanath, who comes from a wealthy family, falls in love with a poor young man. They start meeting secretly because her parents would never accept someone from a penniless family. A god who lives in a nearby temple also falls in love with Xanath. But despite his wealth, he fails to win the girl's heart. He punishes Xanath in anger because there are some things in life no money can buy. We can’t buy the most important things in life such as health or love.

A Raindrop

A Raindrop

7
 min
5
+
4.5

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 Three Slackers

The Three Slackers

10
 min
5
+
4.47

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?

Thumbelina

Thumbelina

20
 min
8
+
4.47

A classic story by the world-famous author Hans Christian Andersen. Various traps await the charming Thumbelina. First, she is kidnapped by a frog who wants Thumbelina as a bride for her son, and later she is threatened with marriage to a blind, heartless mole. Eventually she finds her longed for happiness and love.

Dynamite and TNT Have a Disagreement

Dynamite and TNT Have a Disagreement

6
 min
8
+
4.47

TNT and dynamite argue over who is better at blowing things up. They're both convinced they're better than the other. The roadworks tools step in to help decide - who do you think they chose?

The Exercise Book Alliance

The Exercise Book Alliance

11
 min
8
+
4.46

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?

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.