Bibyambaso

Name: Bibyambaso
Availability: InStock
Author: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

A free picture book in Lumasaaba by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

Cover of Bibyambaso, a Lumasaaba picture book

Bibyambaso is a picture book in Lumasaaba for ages 2–8 by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Lumasaaba
Written by: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi
Illustrated by: Kathy Arbuckle, Ingrid Schechter
Translated by: Fabian Wakholi
Reading level: ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 1 · First words
From: Uganda
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY-NC 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Bibyambaso is a short illustrated picture book in Lumasaaba by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi, illustrated by Kathy Arbuckle, Ingrid Schechter and translated by Fabian Wakholi. It is written for ages 2–8 (Nursery–Year 1) and is graded as Level 1 · First words, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Lumasaaba. The book comes from Global Storybooks and is shared under an open CC BY-NC 3.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 29 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Imbulila bindu bikali mumwoyo kwase. Niwulila bulayi inga kukhu wanganikhiye tsingano hangolobe. Niwulila bulayi inga kukhu wanganikhiye tsingano hangolobe. Niwulila buubi inga papa walomele ari saali ni kamapesa ta. Niwulila bukanwa inga maayi wangwile musifuba. Bibyambaso — Written by Clare…

Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY-NC 3.0).

This story in other languages

Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Bibyambaso” is also available in:

Reading together in Lumasaaba

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 Lumasaaba

See all 16 free Lumasaaba books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Bibyambaso” free to read?

Yes. “Bibyambaso” 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-NC 3.0).

What language is “Bibyambaso” in?

It is written in Lumasaaba. Pagine has 16 free children’s books in Lumasaaba.

What age is “Bibyambaso” for?

It is best for ages 2–8 (Level 1 · First words). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Bibyambaso” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Bibyambaso”?

“Bibyambaso” was written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi and illustrated by Kathy Arbuckle, Ingrid Schechter; the Lumasaaba translation is by Fabian Wakholi.

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Credits: Bibyambaso — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated by Kathy Arbuckle, Ingrid Schechter; Translated by Fabian Wakholi. Lumasaaba, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-uganda), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=2884). CC BY-NC 3.0. · Page updated October 2026