Ekitabu ky’obuthuku

Name: Ekitabu ky’obuthuku
Availability: InStock
Author: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

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

Cover of Ekitabu ky’obuthuku, a Lukhonzo picture book

Ekitabu ky’obuthuku is a picture book in Lukhonzo 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: Lukhonzo
Written by: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi
Illustrated by: Sandra McDougall, Ingrid Schechter
Translated by: Amos Mubunga Kambere
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

Ekitabu ky’obuthuku is a short illustrated picture book in Lukhonzo by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi, illustrated by Sandra McDougall, Ingrid Schechter and translated by Amos Mubunga Kambere. 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 Lukhonzo. 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 37 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Obuthuku nikyanda. Omwisi nimunene. Obuthuku nihunga. Obuthuku nibithu. Obuthuku nimbeho. Embulha yawire. Obuthuku bukapura. Ngalhangira ekima. Ekitabu ky’obuthuku — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated by Sandra McDougall, Ingrid Schechter; Translated by Amos Mubunga Kambere. Lukhonzo, Level…

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. “Ekitabu ky’obuthuku” is also available in:

Reading together in Lukhonzo

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 Lukhonzo

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Ekitabu ky’obuthuku” free to read?

Yes. “Ekitabu ky’obuthuku” 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 “Ekitabu ky’obuthuku” in?

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

What age is “Ekitabu ky’obuthuku” for?

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

Is “Ekitabu ky’obuthuku” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Yoruba, Kiswahili, Kikuyu, Kimaasai, Turkana and more.

Who wrote “Ekitabu ky’obuthuku”?

“Ekitabu ky’obuthuku” was written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi and illustrated by Sandra McDougall, Ingrid Schechter; the Lukhonzo translation is by Amos Mubunga Kambere.

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Credits: Ekitabu ky’obuthuku — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated by Sandra McDougall, Ingrid Schechter; Translated by Amos Mubunga Kambere. Lukhonzo, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-uganda), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=1861). CC BY-NC 3.0. · Page updated October 2026