PagineA Tiny Seed: The Story of Wangari Maathai
A free picture book in Xhosa by Nicola Rijsdijk
A Tiny Seed: The Story of Wangari Maathai is a picture book in Xhosa for ages 5–11 by Nicola Rijsdijk that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Xhosa
- Written by
- Nicola Rijsdijk
- Illustrated by
- Maya Marshak
- Translated by
- Missing
- Reading level
- ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
- From
- South Africa
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
A Tiny Seed: The Story of Wangari Maathai is a short illustrated picture book in Xhosa by Nicola Rijsdijk, illustrated by Maya Marshak and translated by Missing. It is written for ages 5–11 (Grades 2–3) and is graded as Level 3 · First paragraphs, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Xhosa. The book comes from Global Storybooks and is shared under an open CC BY 4.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 21 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).
How it begins
Kwenye yeelali zase fama eKenya, kwakukho nintombazana encinane egama lingu Wangari. uWangari wayethanda ukuchitha ixesha elininzi kunye nomama wakhe esitiyeni sakowabo betyala.UWangari wayekuthanda ukudlala phandle esoloko esesitiyeni etyala imbewu . Elona xesha wayelithanda kwakusemalanga, kuthi xa sele kuqalisa ukubamnyama engasaziboni…Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY 4.0).
This story in other languages
Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “A Tiny Seed: The Story of Wangari Maathai” is also available in:
- Afrikaans · ‘n Klein saadjie: Die verhaal van Wangari Maathai
- Bemba · Ulubuto Lunoono: Ilyashi lya pali Wangari Maathai
- Hausa · Mitsitsin Iri: Labarin Wangari Maathai
- Jamaican Creole · Wahn Biini Siid: Di Stuori Bout Wangaari Matai
- Kaonde · Kalukunwa Kakacheeche; Jishimikila jakwa Wangari Maatai
- Khoekhoegowab · ǂKhari ǃKhomros: Wangari Maathais di ǂhôas
- Kiswahili · Mbegu Ndogo: Hadithi ya Wangari Maathai
- Lukhonzo · Erihera embutho: Omwatsi wa Wangari Maathai
- Lunda · Kambuntu kakanyanya: insan’gu ya Wangari Maathai.
- Luvale · Mbuto yayindende: Mujimbu wa Wangari Maathai
- Mauritian Creole · Enn tipti lagrin : Zistwar Wangari Maathai
- Nyanja · Kambewu kangóno: Nkhani ya Wangari Maathai
- Oshikwanyama · Okambuto kanininini: Ehokololo laWangari Maathai
- Oshindonga · Okambuto okashonashona: Ehokololo lyaWangari Maathai
- Otjiherero · Okandwi okaṱikona: Ehungi ra Wangari Maathai
- Sepedi · Peu Ye Nnyanennyane
- Somali · Mir yar: Sheekadii Wangari Mathaay
- Spanish · Una pequeña semilla: la historia de Wangari Maathai
- Tonga · Mbuto Nsyoonto: Kaano ka Wangari Maathai
- Tswana · Peo E Nnye: Tlhamane ya ga Wangari Maathai
- Zulu · Imbewu Encane
Reading together in Xhosa
- Read it aloud first, pointing at the pictures; then let your child “read” the pictures back to you.
- Ask open questions: what happened, how did the character feel, what would you do?
- Growing up with two languages? Talk about the story in whichever language feels easiest — the understanding carries over.
More free books in Xhosa
Indlela yoKwenza Mbuna iRhamncwa
Ilifu loMnyama: Ibali likaMkabayi Mmama
Kufanele ukuba kubekho umnyama
Ukucoca Okukhulu
Owu Mvula Yiza
USloth Vilavoco
Ndiculele
USenzo neLanga
See all 145 free Xhosa books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “A Tiny Seed: The Story of Wangari Maathai” free to read?
Yes. “A Tiny Seed: The Story of Wangari Maathai” is free to read online in Pagine on any phone, tablet or computer — no payment and nothing to download. It is openly licensed (CC BY 4.0).
What language is “A Tiny Seed: The Story of Wangari Maathai” in?
It is written in Xhosa. Pagine has 145 free children’s books in Xhosa.
What age is “A Tiny Seed: The Story of Wangari Maathai” for?
It is best for ages 5–11 (Level 3 · First paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “A Tiny Seed: The Story of Wangari Maathai” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in Hausa, Kiswahili, Somali, Zulu, Afrikaans, Sepedi and more.
Who wrote “A Tiny Seed: The Story of Wangari Maathai”?
“A Tiny Seed: The Story of Wangari Maathai” was written by Nicola Rijsdijk and illustrated by Maya Marshak; the Xhosa translation is by Missing.
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Get the free app →Credits: A Tiny Seed: The Story of Wangari Maathai — Written by Nicola Rijsdijk; Illustrated by Maya Marshak; Translated by Missing. Xhosa, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (southafricareads.org), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=9809). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026