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 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.

Philemon and Baucis

Philemon and Baucis

9
 min
8
+
4.49

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.

Rumpel Stiltskin

Rumpel Stiltskin

8
 min
5
+
4.49

Children at school laugh at Rumpel because of his name - he sounds just like a famous fairy tale. But Rumpel decides to make the best of this disadvantage and let the children know their teasing doesn't bother him. In the end, it turns out that his ability to guess every name comes in really handy!

Orpheus and Eurydice

Orpheus and Eurydice

12
 min
8
+
4.49

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.

Of Eagles and Bugs

Of Eagles and Bugs

5
 min
8
+
4.47

Our wits can help us defeat much stronger opponents and overcome difficult obstacles. When the eagle catches the hare in its claws, the little beetle orders him to release the poor animal immediately. But the eagle just laughs, and certainly does not plan to give up its prey because of a little beetle. The beetle succeeded in swindling the eagle in the end.

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?

Burnt Gingerbread Biscuits

Burnt Gingerbread Biscuits

11
 min
5
+
4.47

What to do with the slightly burnt gingerbread biscuits? Although they are not so tasty to eat and could be made into Christmas tree decorations, the story goes quite differently. An adventurous pre-Christmas trip awaits them, all thanks to one small mistake.

The Legend of the Milky Way

The Legend of the Milky Way

8
 min
5
+
4.47

This old Chinese legend tells the story of two lovers – the beautiful heavenly weaver, daughter of the Emperor of the Heavens, and a cowherd from the world of humans. Unfortunately, their love makes them forget about all their duties, and so they end up separated forever by the Milky Way.

The Monkey and the Drum

The Monkey and the Drum

11
 min
5
+
4.41

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.

Myth of the Minotaur

Myth of the Minotaur

9
 min
8
+
4.41

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?

King Midas and the Donkey Ears

King Midas and the Donkey Ears

11
 min
5
+
4.36

Let’s take a trip to Ancient Greece, back into that mythical time when gods roamed the earth. One day, King Midas gets mixed up in a godly contest and is rewarded for his impudence with a pair of donkey’s ears. He is ashamed, and tries to hide them. But how can he live with his secret? And will anyone find out?

The King and the Weaver

The King and the Weaver

10
 min
8
+
4.35

Life experience is often more valuable than theories from books. Sometimes even the poor weaver can be smarter than the sages at the imperial court, who are generously paid for their services.

The Owl They Called Stupid

The Owl They Called Stupid

7
 min
8
+
4.35

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 Daisy

The Daisy

12
 min
8
+
4.34

This sad and cruel story of the little flower points to what is really important in life: love, humility, gratitude and consideration for everything around us. The little daisy doesn’t mind not being counted among the favourite flowers in the garden. She enjoys the sun and the singing of the skylark. However, life takes a turn for the worse when she gets trapped with the skylark in a cage - simply for the amusement of the children.

The Snake and the Gold Coins

The Snake and the Gold Coins

5
 min
5
+
4.23

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.

The Little Match Girl

The Little Match Girl

12
 min
8
+
4.22

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.

The Reckless Man and the Swallow

The Reckless Man and the Swallow

4
 min
8
+
4.21

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.

Deucalion and Pyrrha

Deucalion and Pyrrha

7
 min
8
+
4.2

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.

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.