PagineBasi yikulu yabulu
A free picture book in Tumbuka from Global Digital Library
Basi yikulu yabulu is a picture book in Tumbuka for ages 2–8 that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Tumbuka
- Publisher
- Global Digital Library
- Reading level
- ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Leveled reader
- Source
- Global Digital Library
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Basi yikulu yabulu is a short illustrated picture book in Tumbuka. It is written for ages 2–8 and is graded as Leveled reader, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Tumbuka. The book comes from the Global Digital Library and is shared under an open CC BY 4.0 licence, which is why it is free to read.
How it begins
Mumuzi mwa kwa Ebei mukendanga basi yimoza pela. Yikaŵa yikulu kweniso yabulu. Ndipo yikaŵa yacongo comene. "Namacelo tilutenge ku tawuni," ŵakayowoya anyina Ebei. "Tamugula yunifomu yako." Ebei wakakondwa comene. Ŵendenge pabasi yikulu yabulu. Ebei wakagona yayi usiku uwo. Apo anyina…Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY 4.0).
Reading together in Tumbuka
- 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.
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See all 53 free Tumbuka books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Basi yikulu yabulu” free to read?
Yes. “Basi yikulu yabulu” 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 4.0).
What language is “Basi yikulu yabulu” in?
It is written in Tumbuka. Pagine has 53 free children’s books in Tumbuka.
What age is “Basi yikulu yabulu” for?
It is best for ages 2–8 (Leveled reader). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
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Get the free app →Credits: Basi yikulu yabulu — Global Digital Library, via the Global Digital Library. CC BY 4.0. Source: https://content.digitallibrary.io/tum/book/basi-yikulu-yabulu/ · Page updated October 2026