Anansi ne Mpoto ya Maana

Name: Anansi ne Mpoto ya Maana
Availability: InStock
Author: Ghanaian folktale

A free picture book in Kaonde by Ghanaian folktale

Cover of Anansi ne Mpoto ya Maana, a Kaonde picture book

Anansi ne Mpoto ya Maana is a picture book in Kaonde for ages 5–11 by Ghanaian folktale that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

📖 Read it free →

Language: Kaonde
Written by: Ghanaian folktale
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo
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 ne Mpoto ya Maana is a short illustrated picture book in Kaonde by Ghanaian folktale, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo. 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 Kaonde. 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

Kala kene bantu kechi bayukile bintu biji byonse ne. Kechi bayukile byakubyala bijimwa, kusona bivwalo nangwa byakubunda byela ne. Ka lesa kacheeche ka jizhina ja Nyame kaajinga mwiulu kokaajinga namaana onse apano ntanda. Ake kalesa kalamine ano maana mumpoto yakubumba…

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 ne Mpoto ya Maana” is also available in:

Reading together in Kaonde

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 Kaonde

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Anansi ne Mpoto ya Maana” free to read?

Yes. “Anansi ne Mpoto ya Maana” 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 ne Mpoto ya Maana” in?

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

What age is “Anansi ne Mpoto ya Maana” for?

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

Is “Anansi ne Mpoto ya Maana” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Anansi ne Mpoto ya Maana”?

“Anansi ne Mpoto ya Maana” was written by Ghanaian folktale and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Kaonde translation is by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo.

Scan to get the free Pagine reading tracker app

Track reading with the free Pagine app

Log books, set goals and build a daily reading habit — free on iOS, Android and the web.

Get the free app →

Credits: Anansi ne Mpoto ya Maana — Written by Ghanaian folktale; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo. Kaonde, 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