Anansi na hekima

Name: Anansi na hekima
Availability: InStock
Author: Ghanaian folktale

A free picture book in Kiswahili by Ghanaian folktale

Cover of Anansi na hekima, a Kiswahili picture book

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

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Language: Kiswahili
Written by: Ghanaian folktale
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Mutugi Kamundi
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 na hekima is a short illustrated picture book in Kiswahili by Ghanaian folktale, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Mutugi Kamundi. 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 Kiswahili. 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

Hapo zamani za kale, watu hawakujua chochote. Hawakujua kupanda mimea, hawakujua kushona nguo, wala hawakujua kuunda zana za chuma. Nyame, mungu aliyekuwa mbinguni, ndiye aliyekuwa mwenye hekima zote za dunia. Alihifadhi hekima hiyo kwenye chungu cha udongo. Siku moja, Nyame…

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 na hekima” is also available in:

Reading together in Kiswahili

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 Kiswahili

See all 100 free Kiswahili books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Anansi na hekima” free to read?

Yes. “Anansi na hekima” 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 na hekima” in?

It is written in Kiswahili. Pagine has 100 free children’s books in Kiswahili.

What age is “Anansi na hekima” for?

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

Is “Anansi na hekima” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Anansi na hekima”?

“Anansi na hekima” was written by Ghanaian folktale and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Kiswahili translation is by Mutugi Kamundi.

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Credits: Anansi na hekima — Written by Ghanaian folktale; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Mutugi Kamundi; Read by Lauwo George. Kiswahili, 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