Carruur xabkeed

Name: Carruur xabkeed
Availability: InStock
Author: Southern African Folktale

A free picture book in Somali by Southern African Folktale

Cover of Carruur xabkeed, a Somali picture book

Carruur xabkeed is a picture book in Somali 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: Somali
Written by: Southern African Folktale
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Anwar Mohamed Dirie
Reading level: ages 5–8 · kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 2 · First sentences
From: Kenya
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Carruur xabkeed is a short illustrated picture book in Somali by Southern African Folktale, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Anwar Mohamed Dirie. 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 Somali. 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

Waa baa waxaa jiray, qoys farxad ku nool. Weligood isma ayan dagaalin. Hawsha guriga iyo beertana waa ay ka caawin jireen waalidkood. Laakiin looma oggolayn in ay dab u dhowaadaan. Hawshooda oo dhanna waxa ay qabsan jireen habeenkii. Sababtoo ah…

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. “Carruur xabkeed” is also available in:

Reading together in Somali

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 Somali

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Carruur xabkeed” free to read?

Yes. “Carruur xabkeed” 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 “Carruur xabkeed” in?

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

What age is “Carruur xabkeed” for?

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

Is “Carruur xabkeed” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Carruur xabkeed”?

“Carruur xabkeed” was written by Southern African Folktale and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Somali translation is by Anwar Mohamed Dirie.

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Credits: Carruur xabkeed — Written by Southern African Folktale; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Anwar Mohamed Dirie; Read by Ibrahim Ahmed. Somali, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-kenya), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=2181). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026