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.

Bronwyn the Bee

Bronwyn the Bee

13
 min
5
+
4.52

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.

Donkey Skin

Donkey Skin

14
 min
5
+
4.49

A kind princess was told she must marry a cruel prince. To free herself from this horror, she gives the prince a series of difficult tasks to achieve, expecting that he would fail and she could safely avoid the wedding. But this ploy doesn’t work, so she’s left with only one option — to flee the palace disguised as a peasant. As a result, her life takes a curious turn.

Sir Twardowski

Sir Twardowski

7
 min
5
+
4.46

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 Legend of the Dombra

The Legend of the Dombra

5
 min
8
+
4.44

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.

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.

The Man Who Lived Three Thousand Years

The Man Who Lived Three Thousand Years

9
 min
5
+
4.43

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 Impatient Peasant

The Impatient Peasant

5
 min
5
+
4.41

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.

The Toad Who Asked for Rain

The Toad Who Asked for Rain

6
 min
5
+
4.41

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 Woodcutter and the Deer

The Woodcutter and the Deer

14
 min
5
+
4.4

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.

The Fern Flower

The Fern Flower

16
 min
8
+
4.4

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 Little Straw Bull

The Little Straw Bull

12
 min
5
+
4.38

Once there was an old man and an old woman who were so poor they couldn’t even afford a single ox. So they had to figure out a way to earn some money. It started with making a little bull out of straw and resin. From there, they used lots of cunning and exercised good teamwork… And their reward was great. Let this charming Ukrainian folktale delight and inspire you.

The Animal Menagerie

The Animal Menagerie

11
 min
5
+
4.29

In this story, you will meet the Polish scientist Simona Kossak and her extraordinary animal family, who lived together in the Białowieża Forest. Simona was a biologist and an expert on animal life, and in her household there really were many of them - for example, a small crow, a wild pig and a lynx! Read the story to learn more about this extraordinary family.

Saint Nick, the Demon, and the Angel

Saint Nick, the Demon, and the Angel

8
 min
3
+
4.24

Saint Nick is busy preparing for the festive occasion. As usual, he has his angel and his demon lined up to accompany him on his visits to all the houses on the eve of Saint Nicholas Day. But this year is a little different because a new demon has been chosen — a spirited female called Asmodea. She is really excited about it, but also very anxious about how it will go…

The Borrowed Cauldron

The Borrowed Cauldron

4
 min
8
+
4.23

Meet Nasreddin Hodja, the legendary medieval Turkish sage and trickster, about whom many stories and anecdotes still circulate today in Turkey as well as in Central and Southern Asia. You’ll find there is always a grain of wisdom hidden in these short, humorous tales.

The Crystal Heart

The Crystal Heart

10
 min
8
+
4.15

Mi Nuong falls in love with a song that she hears one day from outside her window. She thinks it must have been a young gentleman singing it just for her. But this fantasy and her superficiality end up causing a lot of suffering – both to others and to herself.

Sir Humphrey and His Trusty Steed

Sir Humphrey and His Trusty Steed

8
 min
8
+
4.11

This well-known Czech legend connected with the fortress at Vyšehrad in Prague tells the story of the pitiless ruler Kengrave and bold Sir Humphrey, who dared revolt against his cruelty. What part does his trusty horse Slicker play in their tale? Read the story to find out.

Dividing of the Goose

Dividing of the Goose

7
 min
8
+
5.0

A darker and a little bit cruel folk tale of how wits and justice win over greed. The ingenuity and wits of a poor peasant amuse the senses of a rich and fair earl. The farmer smartly deals with a problem given, and solves the issue of the division of the geese. The earl rewards him handsomely for his efforts.

The Lawyer from the Village

The Lawyer from the Village

8
 min
8
+
4.88

It’s always worth fighting for justice. Once a craftsman accidentally forgets to pay his debt to an innkeeper, who in turn charges him an unfairly high late fee. Eventually an old man helps him out at the court.

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.