Akana K’epunda

Name: Akana K’epunda
Availability: InStock
Author: Lindiwe Matshikiza

A free picture book in Lukhonzo by Lindiwe Matshikiza

Cover of Akana K’epunda, a Lukhonzo picture book

Akana K’epunda is a picture book in Lukhonzo for ages 5–11 by Lindiwe Matshikiza that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Lukhonzo
Written by: Lindiwe Matshikiza
Illustrated by: Meghan Judge
Translated by: Amos Mubunga Kambere
Reading level: ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
From: Uganda
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 4.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Akana K’epunda is a short illustrated picture book in Lukhonzo by Lindiwe Matshikiza, illustrated by Meghan Judge and translated by Amos Mubunga Kambere. 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 Lukhonzo. 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 22 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Omumbesa mulere yowatsuka erilhangira ekithikithiki embere. Neryo ekitsutsu kyamabya kikaseghera hakuhi, kyamabya ngomukali omukule. Nobuba bunene, omumbesa mwaseghera hakuhi nomughole. “Tumwimaye, kandi tubye nayo”. Tukendimubika nomwanawiwe. Neryo omughole amahika eributha. “Sukuma!” “Mulethe esyabbulangiti syeriyiswika!” “Amaghetse!” “Sukumaaaaaaaa!!!” Omwana amabya akayalhwamo, bulimundu…

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. “Akana K’epunda” is also available in:

Reading together in Lukhonzo

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 Lukhonzo

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Akana K’epunda” free to read?

Yes. “Akana K’epunda” 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 “Akana K’epunda” in?

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

What age is “Akana K’epunda” for?

It is best for ages 5–11 (Level 3 · First paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Akana K’epunda” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Turkana, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and more.

Who wrote “Akana K’epunda”?

“Akana K’epunda” was written by Lindiwe Matshikiza and illustrated by Meghan Judge; the Lukhonzo translation is by Amos Mubunga Kambere.

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Credits: Akana K’epunda — Written by Lindiwe Matshikiza; Illustrated by Meghan Judge; Translated by Amos Mubunga Kambere. Lukhonzo, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-uganda), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=15028). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026