Anansi ndi Nzelu

Name: Anansi ndi Nzelu
Availability: InStock
Author: Ghanaian folktale

A free picture book in Nyanja by Ghanaian folktale

Cover of Anansi ndi Nzelu, a Nyanja picture book

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

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Language: Nyanja
Written by: Ghanaian folktale
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Sitwe Benson Mkandawire
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 ndi Nzelu is a short illustrated picture book in Nyanja by Ghanaian folktale, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Sitwe Benson Mkandawire. 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 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 27 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Matsiku amakedzana, anthu sanali kudziwa ciliconse. Sanadziwe kubzala mbeu, mwina kusoka zovala, mwina kupanga zitsulo zansimbi. Nyame mulungu wakumwamba anali ndi nzelu pa zonse zamdziko lapansi. Nzeluzi anazisungila bwino mu mbiya. Tsiku lina, Nyame anaganiza kupatsa Anansi mbiya ya nzelu.…

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 ndi Nzelu” 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 “Anansi ndi Nzelu” free to read?

Yes. “Anansi ndi Nzelu” 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 ndi Nzelu” in?

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

What age is “Anansi ndi Nzelu” for?

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

Is “Anansi ndi Nzelu” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Anansi ndi Nzelu”?

“Anansi ndi Nzelu” was written by Ghanaian folktale and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Nyanja translation is by Sitwe Benson Mkandawire.

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Credits: Anansi ndi Nzelu — Written by Ghanaian folktale; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Sitwe Benson Mkandawire; Read by Christine Mwanza. Nyanja, 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