Aargoosigii shimbir-malabka

Name: Aargoosigii shimbir-malabka
Availability: InStock
Author: Zulu folktale

A free picture book in Somali by Zulu folktale

Cover of Aargoosigii shimbir-malabka, a Somali picture book

Aargoosigii shimbir-malabka is a picture book in Somali for ages 8–11 by Zulu folktale that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Somali
Written by: Zulu folktale
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Anwar Mohamed Dirie
Reading level: ages 8–11 · 3rd to 5th grade · Level 4 · Longer paragraphs
From: Kenya
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Aargoosigii shimbir-malabka is a short illustrated picture book in Somali by Zulu folktale, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Anwar Mohamed Dirie. It is written for ages 8–11 (Grades 3–4) and is graded as Level 4 · Longer paragraphs, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Somali. The book comes from Global Storybooks and is shared under an open CC BY 3.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 18 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Tani waa sheekada Ngede, shimbir-malabka, iyo nin yar oo dhuuni ah laguna magacaabay Gingile. Maalin goor uu Gingile ugaarsi tagay maqlay ci’da Ngede. Gingile afkiisa ayaa bilaabay in uu dhareero niyeysiga malab dartii. Wuu istaagay wuu na dhagaystay si taxadar…

Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY 3.0).

This story in other languages

Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Aargoosigii shimbir-malabka” is also available in:

Reading together in Somali

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 Somali

See all 40 free Somali books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Aargoosigii shimbir-malabka” free to read?

Yes. “Aargoosigii shimbir-malabka” 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 3.0).

What language is “Aargoosigii shimbir-malabka” in?

It is written in Somali. Pagine has 40 free children’s books in Somali.

What age is “Aargoosigii shimbir-malabka” for?

It is best for ages 8–11 (Level 4 · Longer paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Aargoosigii shimbir-malabka” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, Zulu, Afrikaans, Tswana, Lukhonzo and more.

Who wrote “Aargoosigii shimbir-malabka”?

“Aargoosigii shimbir-malabka” was written by Zulu folktale and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Somali translation is by Anwar Mohamed Dirie.

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Credits: Aargoosigii shimbir-malabka — Written by Zulu folktale; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Anwar Mohamed Dirie; Read by Ibrahim Ahmed. Somali, Level 4. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-kenya), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=2099). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026