Anansi na Maano

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

A free picture book in Bemba by Ghanaian folktale

Cover of Anansi na Maano, a Bemba picture book

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

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

About this book

Anansi na Maano is a short illustrated picture book in Bemba by Ghanaian folktale, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Sandra Mulesu. 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 Bemba. 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

Mu nshita yakale saana, abantu tabaishibe nangu cimo. Tabaishibe ifyakubyala ifilimwa nangu ukupikula, nangu ukupanga ifibombelo fya fyela. Leesa Nyame uwali mu muulu umutali ewakwete amaano yonse mu caalo. Aayasungile mu nongo. Ubushiku bumo, Nyame apeele Anansi inongo ya maano.…

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 Maano” is also available in:

Reading together in Bemba

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 Bemba

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Anansi na Maano” free to read?

Yes. “Anansi na Maano” 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 Maano” in?

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

What age is “Anansi na Maano” for?

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

Is “Anansi na Maano” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Anansi na Maano”?

“Anansi na Maano” was written by Ghanaian folktale and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Bemba translation is by Sandra Mulesu.

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Credits: Anansi na Maano — Written by Ghanaian folktale; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Sandra Mulesu. Bemba, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=1938). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026