PagineCisubulo
A free picture book in Tonga by Adelheid Marie Bwire
Cisubulo is a picture book in Tonga for ages 5–8 by Adelheid Marie Bwire that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Tonga
- Written by
- Adelheid Marie Bwire
- Illustrated by
- Melany Pietersen
- 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
Cisubulo is a short illustrated picture book in Tonga by Adelheid Marie Bwire, illustrated by Melany Pietersen 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 22 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).
How it begins
Bumwi buzuba, baama bakaleta michelo minji. “Tulailya ciindi nzi micelo?” Twakabuzya. “Tulailya masiku” bakavwiila baama. Musyoonto wangu Rahim mulyato. Walabila michelo yoonse. Ulalya michelo minji. “Langa nzyaacita Rahim!” wakoompolola musyoonto wangu. Ndakati “Rahim tamvwi alimwi ulaliyanda.” Baama balinyemede akaambo ka…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. “Cisubulo” is also available in:
- Afrikaans · Straf
- Bemba · Ukukandwa
- Jamaican Creole · Ponishment
- Kaonde · Kukambula
- Khoekhoegowab · ǁKharab
- Kiswahili · Adhabu
- Luganda · Ekibonerezo
- Lukhonzo · Ekifubiro
- Lunda · Kubabesha
- Luvale · Kuzangamisa
- Mauritian Creole · Pinision
- Nyanja · Cilango
- Oshikwanyama · Ehandukilo
- Oshindonga · Egeelo
- Otjiherero · Omberero
- Sesotho · Kotlo
- Somali · Ciqaab
- South Ndebele · Isijeziso sakaThemba
- Spanish · Castigo
- Tswana · Katlholo
- Xhosa · Isihlwayo
- Zulu · Umhobholo
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
Ndayandisya Kubala!
Masusu
Mubili Wangu
Andiswa nyenyezi ya Mupila
Nkuku a Musyika
Mabbanana Aabaneene
Mulilo
Kasyoonto Kangu kasankwa Katolo
See all 40 free Tonga books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Cisubulo” free to read?
Yes. “Cisubulo” 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 “Cisubulo” in?
It is written in Tonga. Pagine has 40 free children’s books in Tonga.
What age is “Cisubulo” for?
It is best for ages 5–8 (Level 2 · First sentences). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Cisubulo” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in Kiswahili, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Tswana and more.
Who wrote “Cisubulo”?
“Cisubulo” was written by Adelheid Marie Bwire and illustrated by Melany Pietersen; the Tonga translation is by Chester Mwanza.
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Get the free app →Credits: Cisubulo — Written by Adelheid Marie Bwire; Illustrated by Melany Pietersen; Translated by Chester Mwanza. Tonga, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=11989). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026