Binkɔbri Kalibu

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

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

Cover of Binkɔbri Kalibu, a Dagbani picture book

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

📖 Read it free →

Language: Dagbani
Written by: Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek
Illustrated by: Rob Owen
Translated by: Bugzuah Charles Midzira (OLE Ghana)
Reading level: ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 1 · First words
From: Ghana
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Binkɔbri Kalibu is a short illustrated picture book in Dagbani by Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek, illustrated by Rob Owen and translated by Bugzuah Charles Midzira (OLE Ghana). 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 Dagbani. 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 32 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Wɔb’yino chanila ni kom nyubu. Giraffusnima ayi chanila kom nyubu. Yɔ’niɣi ata mini noonsi anahi gba chanila kom nyubu. Kparibuhi anu mini dɛhi ayɔbu chanila kom maa shee. Kɔri ayopɔi guurimi chani kom maa shee. Lɔna anii mini zahim awei…

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. “Binkɔbri Kalibu” is also available in:

Reading together in Dagbani

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 Dagbani

See all 10 free Dagbani books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Binkɔbri Kalibu” free to read?

Yes. “Binkɔbri Kalibu” 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 “Binkɔbri Kalibu” in?

It is written in Dagbani. Pagine has 10 free children’s books in Dagbani.

What age is “Binkɔbri Kalibu” for?

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

Is “Binkɔbri Kalibu” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in Nigerian Pidgin, Hausa, Kiswahili, Somali, Xhosa, Afrikaans and more.

Who wrote “Binkɔbri Kalibu”?

“Binkɔbri Kalibu” was written by Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek and illustrated by Rob Owen; the Dagbani translation is by Bugzuah Charles Midzira (OLE Ghana).

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Credits: Binkɔbri Kalibu — Written by Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek; Illustrated by Rob Owen; Translated by Bugzuah Charles Midzira (OLE Ghana). Dagbani, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-ghana), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=9671). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026