Anansi iyo xikmad

Name: Anansi iyo xikmad
Availability: InStock
Author: Ghanaian folktale

A free picture book in Somali by Ghanaian folktale

Cover of Anansi iyo xikmad, a Somali picture book

Anansi iyo xikmad is a picture book in Somali for ages 5–11 by Ghanaian folktale that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Somali
Written by: Ghanaian folktale
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Anwar Mohamed Dirie
Reading level: ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
From: Kenya
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Anansi iyo xikmad is a short illustrated picture book in Somali by Ghanaian folktale, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Anwar Mohamed Dirie. 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 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 27 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Waagii hore dadku waxba ma aysan aqoon. Ma aynan aqoon sida miro loo beero ama sida dhar loo sameeyo ama sida bir qalab looga sameeyo. Illaaha cirka kore ee Nyame ayaa lahaa xikmadi aduunka oo idil. Waxa uu na ku…

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. “Anansi iyo xikmad” 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 “Anansi iyo xikmad” free to read?

Yes. “Anansi iyo xikmad” 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 “Anansi iyo xikmad” in?

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

What age is “Anansi iyo xikmad” for?

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

Is “Anansi iyo xikmad” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Anansi iyo xikmad”?

“Anansi iyo xikmad” was written by Ghanaian folktale and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Somali translation is by Anwar Mohamed Dirie.

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Credits: Anansi iyo xikmad — Written by Ghanaian folktale; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Anwar Mohamed Dirie; Read by Ibrahim Ahmed. Somali, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-kenya), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=1938). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026