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

Enviri is a picture book in Luganda for ages 2–8 by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Luganda
- Written by
- Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi
- Illustrated by
- Bronwen Heath, Ingrid Schechter
- Translated by
- Rev Joseph M Katabaro
- 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
Enviri is a short illustrated picture book in Luganda by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi, illustrated by Bronwen Heath, Ingrid Schechter and translated by Rev Joseph M Katabaro. 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 Luganda. 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 34 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).
How it begins
Babirye alina enviiri ennyimpi. Nakato alina enviiri empanvu. Nambi y’alina enviiri ezisinga obuwanvu. Birungi asibye enviiri. Musa alina ekirevu. Nakku asaniridde enviiri ze. Kato asazeeko enviiri ze. Kapere amweddeko enviiri ze zonna. Enviri — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla,…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. “Enviri” is also available in:
- Afrikaans · Hare
- Aringati · ̃ ĩnũ wé lẽ Drĩꞌ̣ bị́ Iz
- Ateso · Itima
- Bemba · Umushishi
- English · Hair
- Irish · Gruaig
- Jamaican Creole · Ier
- Kaonde · Nsuki
- Khoekhoegowab · ǀÛn
- Kigogo · Mvwili
- Kikamba · Nzwĩĩ
- Kimaasai · Ilpápít
- Kiswahili · Nywele
- Krio · Ia
- Lukhonzo · Esy’anzwiri
- Lumasaaba · Litsuune
- Lunda · Insuki
- Lunyole · Efiiri
- Lusoga · Nviiri
- Luvale · Jikhambu
- Mauritian Creole · Seve
- Nyanja · Tsitsi
- Oshikwanyama · Eexwiki
- Oshindonga · Omafufu
- Otjiherero · Ozondjise
- Sesotho · Moriri
- Somali · Timo
- Spanish · El pelo
- Tonga · Masusu
- Tswana · Moriri
- Turkana · Ng’Itim
- Venda · Mavhudzi
- Xhosa · Iinwele
- Zulu · Izinwele
Reading together in Luganda
- 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 Luganda
Wankoko ne Wakamunye
Kkapa yange eri wa?
Wambuzi, Wambwa ne Wante
Muto wange munafu
Omusajja Omuwanvu ennyo
Akatabo k’obudde
Ekibonerezo
Ggonya omuyala.
See all 16 free Luganda books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Enviri” free to read?
Yes. “Enviri” 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 “Enviri” in?
It is written in Luganda. Pagine has 16 free children’s books in Luganda.
What age is “Enviri” for?
It is best for ages 2–8 (Level 1 · First words). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Enviri” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, Kikamba, Kimaasai, Turkana, Somali and more.
Who wrote “Enviri”?
“Enviri” was written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi and illustrated by Bronwen Heath, Ingrid Schechter; the Luganda translation is by Rev Joseph M Katabaro.
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Get the free app →Credits: Enviri — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated by Bronwen Heath, Ingrid Schechter; Translated by Rev Joseph M Katabaro. Luganda, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-uganda), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=1746). CC BY-NC 3.0. · Page updated October 2026