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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.

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The Legend of Vanilla

Mexican Legend

The Legend of Vanilla

6
 min
5
+
4.69

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.

Around the World
The Sisters Tam and Cam

Vietnamese Tale

The Sisters Tam and Cam

18
 min
5
+
4.69

In this story, you will learn about a Vietnamese Cinderella named Tam. She, too, suffers a lot because of her cruel stepmother and her sister Cam. She does not give up, and she eventually gets justice and a happy ending.

Around the World
A Treasured Saxophone

Tereza Sebesta

A Treasured Saxophone

8
 min
5
+
4.69

Maya loves music and plays the sax in the school band. On a weekend visit to her grandma’s, she receives the most wonderful legacy, her great-grandfather’s tenor saxophone. Although she never knew her great-grandfather, thanks to this gift, she is united with him in a completely meaningful way. It is an incredible treasure that Maya will always cherish.

Stories for 5+ years old
Swan Love

Hana Do

Swan Love

14
 min
8
+
4.69

Come and visit a lovely lake where a bevy of white swans live. One day, they receive an unexpected swan visitor. And would you believe it? He’s all black! How will he fit in among the other swans on the lake?

Emotions and empathy
The Forty Brothers and Their Blind Sister

Bulgarian Tale

The Forty Brothers and Their Blind Sister

10
 min
8
+
4.68

United, we can do much more. Forty brothers lived with their blind sister and their old father in modesty and love. But when their father found himself on his deathbed, the brothers quarreled over the only field they were to inherit from him.

Around the World
Justine the Octopus

Lucia Koudelkova Jesenska

Justine the Octopus

8
 min
5
+
4.68

It would be to have more hands, wouldn’t it? However, Justine the octopus doesn't think so at all. She has exactly eight tentacles, but she is always so clumsy with them. She doesn't even know how to fit into the groups of other underwater friends. But then she suddenly finds out that she's really good at something else. What is it? You'll find out in this fairy tale from the sea.

Emotions and empathy
The Daisy

Hans Christian Andersen

The Daisy

12
 min
8
+
4.67

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.

Folk stories
The Little Match Girl

Hans Christian Andersen

The Little Match Girl

12
 min
8
+
4.67

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.

Folk stories
The Legend of the Milky Way

Chinese legend

The Legend of the Milky Way

8
 min
5
+
4.67

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.

Around the World
The Serpent of Warsaw

Polish Legend

The Serpent of Warsaw

8
 min
5
+
4.66

This Polish legend takes you to Warsaw. In ancient times, the city was said to be stalked by a terrible monster that no one knew how to overcome. But a young tailor comes up with the clever idea of using an unusual weapon against the creature — let’s find out together what it was!

Around the World
The Search For the Most Powerful Being

Indian Tale

The Search For the Most Powerful Being

9
 min
8
+
4.65

The greatest riches are closer to us than it might seem, we just have to be attentive enough. When the parents of a beautiful daughter decide to look for the best possible groom for her, the men of the village seem too ordinary to them. But they are in for a big surprise.

Around the World
Not Just Another Pretty Hollywood Face

Mel Candea

Not Just Another Pretty Hollywood Face

8
 min
8
+
4.65

Hedy Lamarr was a beautiful film actress in the 1930s and 1940s. But she had much more to offer than just her good looks – she was a gifted inventor. In fact, her invention she created to help the Allies during WWII is something we all use today!

Science stories
The Black and Red Sweater

African Tale

The Black and Red Sweater

8
 min
5
+
4.64

Sometimes even small misunderstandings can end a friendship. This is what the two inseparable friends in this African story learn when a cunning traveller tricks them.

Around the World
The Ungrateful Tiger

Korean Tale

The Ungrateful Tiger

9
 min
5
+
4.64

A lovely tale about gratitude which surely everyone can take to heart. A fairy tale from the animal kingdom about being grateful, justice and an extraordinary wit that helps save a defenceless human being.

Around the World
The Monster Bulgasari

Korean Tale

The Monster Bulgasari

10
 min
5
+
4.64

This thrilling and perhaps slightly scary story from the Asian continent tells how a monk on the run accidentally creates a prickly monster. It feeds on everything made of metal, and no one can stop it. Find out how the whole Kingdom of Korea is turned upside down, just because its king has wrongfully persecuted all of the monks.

Around the World
How the Cheetah Got Her Marks

African Tale

How the Cheetah Got Her Marks

8
 min
8
+
4.63

This fairy tale from Africa tells of a dishonest hunter who stole the young cheetah from its mother in order to make hunting game easier. The tale shows how important it is to act honestly in life.

Around the World
The Crows and the Cobra

Indian Tale

The Crows and the Cobra

8
 min
8
+
4.62

Even if it seems impossible, our wits can help us overcome the most difficult obstacles. The story teaches us that even the most powerful enemy can be defeated - one has to just think a bit. When a dangerous cobra moves in near the crow’s nest, they start to fear for their lives. They eventually learn how to get rid of the cobra from the wise old jackal.

Around the World
The King and the Weaver

Armenian Tale

The King and the Weaver

10
 min
8
+
4.62

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.

Around the World
Bedtime stories
Short stories
Folk stories
Human body
Wellbeing
Emotions & empathy
Nature stories
Science stories
Around the World
Animal stories
Aesop's fables
For toddlers
For 3+ years old
For 5+ years old
For 8+ years old
Christmas stories

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.