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 Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep

The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep

11
 min
5
+
4.54

In this story by Hans Christian Andersen you will read about two porcelain figurines—a shepherdess and a chimney sweep—who love one another. But a third figurine, an old man from China, gets in the way of their happiness and so they decide to run away. Where will their big adventure into the outside world take them?

The Magic Rings and Death Valley

The Magic Rings and Death Valley

12
 min
5
+
4.53

Ellie and Annie are inseparable sisters. When they choose sparkly new rings at the fair, they have no idea that the rings hold a mysterious power. Where will the rings take them that night? To a place with an ominous name that is actually rather beautiful. Embark on a journey around the world with these girls to visit all sorts of unique places in this geographical story series.

How Li-li Celebrated the Spring Festival

How Li-li Celebrated the Spring Festival

11
 min
5
+
4.53

It’s nearly time for the Lunar New Year celebrations, also known as the Spring Festival. For many people in the world, including the little girl in this story, these are the most important celebrations of the year. But it looks like Li-li isn’t going to be spending the Spring Festival with her wonderful grandparents this year. Li-li is sad about that, but an unexpected encounter with a magical creature changes everything… Read the story to find out more about Li-li’s adventure and about Lunar New Year traditions.

A Pet that No One Else Has

A Pet that No One Else Has

10
 min
5
+
4.53

Micky is unhappy that he cannot have any animal pets at home like some of his friends. That's why his elder sister gives him something special that's green and bushy. Micky gets a pet that no one else has. At the same time, thanks to it, he gets closer to his elder sister and he learns to love plants.

Seed Town

Seed Town

12
 min
5
+
4.53

Seed Town is a place where the inhabitants desire nothing more than to nestle into the ground and grow up. But they cannot achieve this on their own. When a schoolgirl called Anna visits Seed Town, she makes friends with the little seeds and eventually figures out a way to help them. Can she manage to achieve it? This story imparts a thing or two about plants and Nature.

Jim and the Dragon

Jim and the Dragon

8
 min
5
+
4.52

In this story, you will discover how life changes in one small town when a terrible dragon takes up residence in a nearby cave. What will the dragon do and who will be brave enough to challenge it?

The Legend of the Dombra

The Legend of the Dombra

5
 min
8
+
4.52

Have you ever heard of the dombra, a musical instrument from the Far East? In this Kazakh legend, you will learn about the magical sounds of the dombra and its association with the famous Genghis Khan.

The Man Who Didn't Want To Be Angry

The Man Who Didn't Want To Be Angry

12
 min
8
+
4.5

Mr Wang steals his neighbour's duck and gets taught a really good lesson – he sprouts feathers! A Chinese god tells him that to get rid of the feathers, his neighbour must give him a good scolding. But what if that neighbour is a calm, kind person and doesn’t want to get angry with anyone? Read about Mr Wang’s struggles in this humorous Chinese fairy tale.

Mio and the Astronomical Clock

Mio and the Astronomical Clock

8
 min
5
+
4.48

Mio and his classmates are off on a school trip to a historic palace where there is a very special clock. But that isn't the only fascinating thing they find – they also enjoy listening to all the different languages the other visitors are speaking. Why don't you join them and find out which languages they hear!

Bronwyn the Bee

Bronwyn the Bee

13
 min
5
+
4.47

Bronwyn is quite different from the other bees. She doesn’t seem to be able to do anything right, and doesn’t want to work hard to support the hive. Discover what happens when Bronwyn tries living life differently. A story about (not) fitting in, and with lots to teach you about the life of bees.

Rocketman Saves the Flowers

Rocketman Saves the Flowers

15
 min
5
+
4.47

There is a conflict on Earth that arised because of flowers. Flowers make people with allergies sneeze and wheeze and so they decide to ban them all. That gets the whole world into real trouble. There is only one person who can help them – rocketman! This story was written for you by Mel Candea.

The Woodcutter and the Deer

The Woodcutter and the Deer

14
 min
5
+
4.44

In this beautiful Korean folk tale, a poor woodcutter saves a young deer in the forest. As a thank you, he receives valuable advice on how to find joy. But will this advice be enough to bring him lasting happiness? Although the woodcutter has good intentions, he fails to follow the deer’s advice fully, and it ends up doing him more harm than good.

Sirko the Faithful Dog

Sirko the Faithful Dog

8
 min
5
+
4.44

Sirko is a faithful farm dog, but he is sad because he is so old he cannot be useful on the farm any more and so the farmer drove him away. He finds an unlikely companion to help him out – a wolf. This Ukrainian tale is about the pranks the two furry friends get up to, but it also tells us about mutual help and gratitude.

Sir Twardowski

Sir Twardowski

7
 min
5
+
4.41

This Polish tale takes us to Krakow. There we find a nobleman whose curiosity for learning new and exciting things ends up bringing him face to face with the devil himself. The clever nobleman manages to turn the devil’s powers to good use, helping those around him. Although the devil tries to put an end to his good deeds, the nobleman’s prayers eventually free him from the devil’s clutches.

The Man Who Lived Three Thousand Years

The Man Who Lived Three Thousand Years

9
 min
5
+
4.4

This Korean folk tale tells the story of cunning Mr Tong, who was given a short life. In the end, he managed to live a hundred times longer and he hoped that thanks to his cunning he would be able to live forever. However, he had much too high an opinion of himself, and the messengers from the underworld who were looking for him managed to outwit him. A fairy tale about how no fate is unchangeable and even misfortune can be avoided.

The Toad Who Asked for Rain

The Toad Who Asked for Rain

6
 min
5
+
4.4

The whole earth is afflicted by a huge drought and so a little toad decides to go and ask the gods for rain. The gods don’t take his visit seriously at first, but he comes up with a clever plan to attract their attention.

The Fern Flower

The Fern Flower

16
 min
8
+
4.38

In this Polish tale you will read about curious young Johnny, who sets out to find a magical fern flower that will make his dreams come true. The fern flower only blooms one night a year, but that doesn’t stop Johnny. He’s forbidden from sharing the tempting reward with anyone, and his obsession with wealth overtakes him - leading to a tragic end.

The Impatient Peasant

The Impatient Peasant

5
 min
5
+
4.38

This is the story of a farmer who was too impatient. He didn’t like how slowly the seeds he had planted in his field were growing, he thought they were lazy. So he decided to help them so that he would bring in his harvest sooner. But all he managed to do was damage the plants and in the end his impatience meant there was no harvest at all. Patience and thoroughness always pay off.

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.