Ana aphula

Name: Ana aphula
Availability: InStock
Author: Southern African Folktale

A free picture book in Nyanja by Southern African Folktale

Cover of Ana aphula, a Nyanja picture book

Ana aphula is a picture book in Nyanja 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: Nyanja
Written by: Southern African Folktale
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Sitwe Benson Mkandawire
Reading level: ages 5–8 · kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 2 · First sentences
From: Zambia
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Ana aphula is a short illustrated picture book in Nyanja by Southern African Folktale, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Sitwe Benson Mkandawire. 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 Nyanja. 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

Kale-kale nthawi ina, kunali banja lina lokondwela. Sanali kuyambana. Anali kuthandiza makolo ao panyumba ndi kumunda. Koma sanaloledwe kupita pafupi ndi moto. Anali kucita nchito yonse usiku. Cifukwa anapandidwa ndi chikonga. Koma mnyamata umodzi anali kufunitsitsa kuyenda mdzuwa. Tsiku lina,…

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. “Ana aphula” is also available in:

Reading together in Nyanja

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 Nyanja

See all 105 free Nyanja books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Ana aphula” free to read?

Yes. “Ana aphula” 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 “Ana aphula” in?

It is written in Nyanja. Pagine has 105 free children’s books in Nyanja.

What age is “Ana aphula” for?

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

Is “Ana aphula” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Ana aphula”?

“Ana aphula” was written by Southern African Folktale and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Nyanja translation is by Sitwe Benson Mkandawire.

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Credits: Ana aphula — Written by Southern African Folktale; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Sitwe Benson Mkandawire; Read by Christine Mwanza. Nyanja, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=2181). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026