PagineAbanaba’mana
A free picture book in EkeGusii by Southern African Folktale
Abanaba’mana is a picture book in EkeGusii for ages 5–8 by Southern African Folktale that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- EkeGusii
- Written by
- Southern African Folktale
- Illustrated by
- Wiehan de Jager
- Translated by
- Dennis Ogaro Ondieki
- Reading level
- ages 5–8 · kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 2 · First sentences
- From
- Kenya
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 3.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Abanaba’mana is a short illustrated picture book in EkeGusii by Southern African Folktale, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Dennis Ogaro Ondieki. It is written for ages 5–8 (Grades 1–2) and is graded as Level 2 · First sentences, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in EkeGusii. 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 30 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).
How it begins
Abwo kare efamili yarengoo yamenyete nomogoko sana. Tibarenge korwana nonde bwensi. Nigo barenge gokonya abaibori babo nka sobo amo nase emegondo. Rakini mbaganeirie kogenda ang’e nomorero. Nigo baganeirie gokora chigasi chiabo botuko rioka. Ekiagera nigo barosirie namana! Rakini oyomo bwa’bamura…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. “Abanaba’mana” is also available in:
- Afrikaans · Kinders van was
- Bemba · Abaana bepula
- English · Children of wax
- Jamaican Creole · Pikni dem we mek outa waks
- Kaonde · Baana Babupula
- Khoekhoegowab · ǂNuruǁnui ǀgôan xa
- Kikamba · Syana sya Mũvũa
- Kimaasai · Inkéra é emánóó
- Kiswahili · Watoto wa nta
- Luganda · Abaana abaava mu nvumbo
- Lugbarati (official orthography) · Anzɨ Òdirì rʉ́ dɨ̀yɨ
- Lukhonzo · Abana b’enimba
- Lumasaaba · Babaana be buwuula
- Lunda · Anyana andunda
- Lunyole · Abaana bomu bulimbo
- Luvale · Vana vandunda
- Mauritian Creole · Zanfan Lasir
- Nyanja · Ana aphula
- Oshikwanyama · Ounona vedi
- Oshindonga · Uunona wezi
- Otjiherero · Ovanatje vonḓura
- Sepedi · Bana ba kerese
- Sesotho · Bana ba kerese
- Somali · Carruur xabkeed
- Spanish · Niños de cera
- Tonga · Bana Babunzuka
- Tswana · Bana ba kerese
- Turkana · Ng’Ide a Ng’Amonok
- Xhosa · Abantwana bekhandlela
- Zulu · Abantwana abenziwe ngamakhandlela
Reading together in EkeGusii
- 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 EkeGusii
See all 15 free EkeGusii books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Abanaba’mana” free to read?
Yes. “Abanaba’mana” 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 “Abanaba’mana” in?
It is written in EkeGusii. Pagine has 15 free children’s books in EkeGusii.
What age is “Abanaba’mana” for?
It is best for ages 5–8 (Level 2 · First sentences). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Abanaba’mana” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, Kikamba, Kimaasai, Turkana, Somali and more.
Who wrote “Abanaba’mana”?
“Abanaba’mana” was written by Southern African Folktale and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the EkeGusii translation is by Dennis Ogaro Ondieki.
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Get the free app →Credits: Abanaba’mana — Written by Southern African Folktale; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Dennis Ogaro Ondieki. EkeGusii, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-kenya), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=2181). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026