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 Owl They Called Stupid

The Owl They Called Stupid

7
 min
8
+
4.33

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.

Stephen and the Calculating Machine

Stephen and the Calculating Machine

5
 min
8
+
4.31

Ever since he was little, Stephen had been fond of maths and physics. Thanks to a connection with a good, inspiring teacher, his hobby would become a life-long passion. Despite extreme difficulties, Stephen Hawking became a legend in the field of science. Read with your kids a fairy tale based on his life story.

The Snail and the Rosebush

The Snail and the Rosebush

16
 min
8
+
4.3

A story by a world-famous storyteller about the meaning of life, which aptly points out various character traits. When the snail begins talking to the garden rose, he seems fully determined to move forward. And he can’t help criticizing the rose for its inaction. However, his plan of moving forward ends in nothing but empty words.

The Wall

The Wall

5
 min
8
+
4.27

This story involves the strong-willed characters Hare, Wall, Gap, and Blackbird... Hare wakes up to a day that’s quite different from what she expected. All because of Wall, which mysteriously appeared overnight. How will Hare deal with such an unwelcome obstacle? (Hint: Gap and Blackbird are involved!) It’s all about determination and the discovery of one’s own strength and creativity. And of course, one’s ability to enjoy the unfolding adventure.

Daedalus and Icarus

Daedalus and Icarus

9
 min
8
+
4.25

It’s always worth listening to good pieces of advice from those more experienced than us. When Daedalus and his son Icarus try to leave the island where they live in exile, Icarus tragically dies. He doesn’t care to listen to the wise advice of his father, and his curiosity kills him.

The Monkey and the Drum

The Monkey and the Drum

11
 min
5
+
4.19

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 Brewery of Egg-Shells

The Brewery of Egg-Shells

7
 min
8
+
4.15

When a mother goes to the cradle in the morning, she realizes her baby has been swapped with a fairy. She gets a lot of different advice, but only takes the advice of a famous healer to get her baby boy back.

How Rupert Skynose Definitely Discovered Infinity

How Rupert Skynose Definitely Discovered Infinity

6
 min
8
+
4.1

Astronomer Rupert Skynose longs to discover the infinite, so he searches the stars night after night. When his telescope breaks, it may seem like a disaster, but it is actually this accident with the broken glass lens that sets Rupert on the right track.

The Red Shoes

The Red Shoes

6
 min
8
+
4.06

A darker and cruel story by Hans Christian Andersen about a smug and vain little girl. A noble lady takes in an orphaned girl and looks after her with great kindness, but the little girl is conceited and doesn’t behave politely. She gets the red shoes she wants, but they end up teaching her a very harsh lesson.

The Reckless Man and the Swallow

The Reckless Man and the Swallow

4
 min
8
+
3.82

One swallow doesn’t make a summer. A man has wasted his inheritance and is left only with one giant winter coat. But he sells this, too, for a few coins, when it gets warmer and he spots a lone swallow - which he mistakenly believes is a sign of the coming spring.

Pelops

Pelops

5
 min
8
+
3.73

This fable teaches us that even in the past people could tell the difference between good and evil intentions. Although the story is typical of the time in which the fable originated, the main theme is still relevant today. Pelops longs for the beautiful Hippodamea and decides to fight for her heart. But her father will give his daughter as a bride only to one who can defeat him in a four-carriage race. However, the loser must pay with his life.

The Snake and the Gold Coins

The Snake and the Gold Coins

5
 min
5
+
3.5

This fairy tale, originally from India, tells the story of a reverent farmer who treats a snake living on his land with respect. He gets an unexpected reward for this, but his greedy son wants to abuse the good will of the magical serpent. He (naturally) is punished for this.

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.