Bana Babunzuka

Name: Bana Babunzuka
Availability: InStock
Author: Southern African Folktale

A free picture book in Tonga by Southern African Folktale

Cover of Bana Babunzuka, a Tonga picture book

Bana Babunzuka is a picture book in Tonga 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: Tonga
Written by: Southern African Folktale
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Chester Mwanza
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

Bana Babunzuka is a short illustrated picture book in Tonga by Southern African Folktale, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Chester Mwanza. 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 Tonga. 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

Kaindi, kwakali mukwasyi wakali kukkala cakukkomana. Tiibakali kulwana pe. Bakali kugwasya bazyali aŋanda akumuunda. Pesi tiibakali kuzuminzyigwa kuswena munsi-munsi amulilo. Bakali kubeleka milimo yoonse masiku. Nkaambo bakabambidwe aabunzuka. Pesi umwi wabasankwa wakayandisisya kuti aunke muzuba. Bumwi buzuba kuyandisisya kwakakomena. Bapati…

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. “Bana Babunzuka” is also available in:

Reading together in Tonga

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 Tonga

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Bana Babunzuka” free to read?

Yes. “Bana Babunzuka” 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 “Bana Babunzuka” in?

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

What age is “Bana Babunzuka” for?

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

Is “Bana Babunzuka” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Bana Babunzuka”?

“Bana Babunzuka” was written by Southern African Folktale and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Tonga translation is by Chester Mwanza.

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Credits: Bana Babunzuka — Written by Southern African Folktale; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Chester Mwanza. Tonga, 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