Baana Babupula

Name: Baana Babupula
Availability: InStock
Author: Southern African Folktale

A free picture book in Kaonde by Southern African Folktale

Cover of Baana Babupula, a Kaonde picture book

Baana Babupula is a picture book in Kaonde for ages 5–8 by Southern African Folktale that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Kaonde
Written by: Southern African Folktale
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo
Reading level: ages 5–8 · kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 2 · First sentences
From: Zambia
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Baana Babupula is a short illustrated picture book in Kaonde by Southern African Folktale, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo. It is written for ages 5–8 (Grades 1–2) and is graded as Level 2 · First sentences, 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 30 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Kala kene, kwajinga kisemi kimo kyaikajilenga bingi na lusekelo. Abe bantu kechi balwanga ne. Bakwashishenga bansemi yabo pa nzubo ne kumajimi. Pano mino kechi bebaswishishe kuya pabwipi na mujilo ne. Baingijilenga nkito yabo yonse kimye kya bufuku mambo babumbilwe na…

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. “Baana Babupula” 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 “Baana Babupula” free to read?

Yes. “Baana Babupula” 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 “Baana Babupula” in?

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

What age is “Baana Babupula” for?

It is best for ages 5–8 (Level 2 · First sentences). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Baana Babupula” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Baana Babupula”?

“Baana Babupula” was written by Southern African Folktale and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Kaonde translation is by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo.

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Credits: Baana Babupula — Written by Southern African Folktale; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo. Kaonde, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=2181). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026