Erihera embutho: Omwatsi wa Wangari Maathai

A free picture book in Lukhonzo by Nicola Rijsdijk

Erihera embutho: Omwatsi wa Wangari Maathai is a picture book in Lukhonzo for ages 5–11 by Nicola Rijsdijk that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language

Lukhonzo

Written by

Nicola Rijsdijk

Illustrated by

Maya Marshak

Translated by

Amos Mubunga Kambere

Reading level

ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs

From

Uganda

Source

Global Storybooks

Licence

CC BY 4.0

Price

Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Erihera embutho: Omwatsi wa Wangari Maathai is a short illustrated picture book in Lukhonzo by Nicola Rijsdijk, illustrated by Maya Marshak and translated by Amos Mubunga Kambere. It is written for ages 5–11 (Grades 2–3) and is graded as Level 3 · First paragraphs, 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 4.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 21 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Omwakyalo kighuma, okwamalambo owokwakithwa ekye Kenya omwa Africa eyikasira elyuba, yabya omumbesa inyakasiba omwirima na mama wiwe, Erina liwe abya Wangari. Wangari inyanzire eribya eyihya. Omwirima ly’ebyalya inyatakulha ekithaka omwa kipanga kiwe. Neryo inyakahera embutho omwa mahya omwamuthaka. Omusika inyanzire…

Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY 4.0).

This story in other languages

Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Erihera embutho: Omwatsi wa Wangari Maathai” is also available in:

• Afrikaans · ‘n Klein saadjie: Die verhaal van Wangari Maathai
• Bemba · Ulubuto Lunoono: Ilyashi lya pali Wangari Maathai
• Hausa · Mitsitsin Iri: Labarin Wangari Maathai
• Jamaican Creole · Wahn Biini Siid: Di Stuori Bout Wangaari Matai
• Kaonde · Kalukunwa Kakacheeche; Jishimikila jakwa Wangari Maatai
• Khoekhoegowab · ǂKhari ǃKhomros: Wangari Maathais di ǂhôas
• Kiswahili · Mbegu Ndogo: Hadithi ya Wangari Maathai
• Lunda · Kambuntu kakanyanya: insan’gu ya Wangari Maathai.
• Luvale · Mbuto yayindende: Mujimbu wa Wangari Maathai
• Mauritian Creole · Enn tipti lagrin : Zistwar Wangari Maathai
• Nyanja · Kambewu kangóno: Nkhani ya Wangari Maathai
• Oshikwanyama · Okambuto kanininini: Ehokololo laWangari Maathai
• Oshindonga · Okambuto okashonashona: Ehokololo lyaWangari Maathai
• Otjiherero · Okandwi okaṱikona: Ehungi ra Wangari Maathai
• Sepedi · Peu Ye Nnyanennyane
• Somali · Mir yar: Sheekadii Wangari Mathaay
• Spanish · Una pequeña semilla: la historia de Wangari Maathai
• Tonga · Mbuto Nsyoonto: Kaano ka Wangari Maathai
• Tswana · Peo E Nnye: Tlhamane ya ga Wangari Maathai
• Xhosa · A Tiny Seed: The Story of Wangari Maathai
• Zulu · Imbewu Encane

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

• Omulhume muli
• Enkoko nawa Kinyangongolho
• Simbegwire
• Erithungerera ebisoro
• Ukakolhaki?
• Eritwamo
• Akana K’epunda
• Ekya’mwaliwabu Vusi abugha

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Erihera embutho: Omwatsi wa Wangari Maathai” free to read?

Yes. “Erihera embutho: Omwatsi wa Wangari Maathai” 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 4.0).

What language is “Erihera embutho: Omwatsi wa Wangari Maathai” in?

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

What age is “Erihera embutho: Omwatsi wa Wangari Maathai” for?

It is best for ages 5–11 (Level 3 · First paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Erihera embutho: Omwatsi wa Wangari Maathai” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Erihera embutho: Omwatsi wa Wangari Maathai”?

“Erihera embutho: Omwatsi wa Wangari Maathai” was written by Nicola Rijsdijk and illustrated by Maya Marshak; the Lukhonzo translation is by Amos Mubunga Kambere.

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Credits: Erihera embutho: Omwatsi wa Wangari Maathai — Written by Nicola Rijsdijk; Illustrated by Maya Marshak; Translated by Amos Mubunga Kambere. Lukhonzo, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-uganda), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=9809). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026