Abantwana bekhandlela

Name: Abantwana bekhandlela
Availability: InStock
Author: Southern African Folktale

A free picture book in Xhosa by Southern African Folktale

Cover of Abantwana bekhandlela, a Xhosa picture book

Abantwana bekhandlela is a picture book in Xhosa for ages 5–8 by Southern African Folktale that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Xhosa
Written by: Southern African Folktale
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Ntombizodwa Gxowa-Dlayedwa
Reading level: ages 5–8 · kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 2 · First sentences
From: South Africa
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Abantwana bekhandlela is a short illustrated picture book in Xhosa by Southern African Folktale, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Ntombizodwa Gxowa-Dlayedwa. 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 Xhosa. 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

Kudala, kwakuhlala usapho olonwabileyo. Abazange balwe omnye nomnye. Babebanceda abazali babo ekhaya nasemasimini. Kodwa babengavumelekanga ukuba basondele emlilweni. Kwakufuneka benze wonke umsebenzi wabo ebusuku. Kuba babenziwe ngekhandlela! kodwa omnye wamakhwenkwe wayelangazelela ukuphuma phandle elangeni. Ngenye imini ulangazelelo lwakhula ngamandla. Abantakwabo…

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. “Abantwana bekhandlela” is also available in:

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

See all 145 free Xhosa books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Abantwana bekhandlela” free to read?

Yes. “Abantwana bekhandlela” 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 “Abantwana bekhandlela” in?

It is written in Xhosa. Pagine has 145 free children’s books in Xhosa.

What age is “Abantwana bekhandlela” for?

It is best for ages 5–8 (Level 2 · First sentences). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Abantwana bekhandlela” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, EkeGusii, Kikamba, Kimaasai, Turkana and more.

Who wrote “Abantwana bekhandlela”?

“Abantwana bekhandlela” was written by Southern African Folktale and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Xhosa translation is by Ntombizodwa Gxowa-Dlayedwa.

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Credits: Abantwana bekhandlela — Written by Southern African Folktale; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Ntombizodwa Gxowa-Dlayedwa. Xhosa, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (southafricareads.org), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=2181). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026