Finshi Uleecita?
A free picture book in Bemba by Nina Orange

Finshi Uleecita? is a picture book in Bemba for ages 2–8 by Nina Orange that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Bemba
- Written by
- Nina Orange
- Illustrated by
- Wiehan de Jager
- Translated by
- Joseph Mwansa
- Reading level
- ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 1 · First words
- From
- Zambia
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 3.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Finshi Uleecita? is a short illustrated picture book in Bemba by Nina Orange, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Joseph Mwansa. 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 Bemba. 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 29 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).
How it begins
Ndeimba. Aleebaibisha. Ndetoota. Aleeyolola. Aleita. Ndeyasuka. Aleekutika. Finshi uleecita? Finshi Uleecita? — Written by Nina Orange; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Joseph Mwansa. Bemba, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=7292). CC BY…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. “Finshi Uleecita?” is also available in:
- Afrikaans · Wat doen jy?
- Dagbani · Bɔ ka a niŋda?
- Jamaican Creole · Wa yu a du?
- Kaonde · Ubena Kuuba ka?
- Khoekhoegowab · Tare-ets ra dī?
- Kichaga · Kiki kukeuta?
- Kikuyu · Nĩkĩĩ ureka?
- Kisukuma · Uleetake?
- Kiswahili · Unafanya nini?
- Krio · Wetin yu de du?
- Lukhonzo · Ukakolhaki?
- Lunda · Winakwiladi?
- Lunyole · Ohola hiina?
- Luvale · Uli nakulinga ika?
- Mauritian Creole · Ki to pe fer?
- Nyanja · Ucita Ciani?
- Oshikwanyama · Oto ningi shike?
- Oshindonga · Oto ningi shike?
- Otjiherero · Ove mo tjiti tjike?
- Sepedi · O dira eng?
- Sesotho · O etsang?
- Somali · Maxaad samaynaysaa?
- Spanish · ¿Qué estás haciendo?
- Tonga · Ino Ucita Nzi?
- Tsonga · Xana u endla yini?
- Tswana · O dira eng?
- Turkana · Nyo Isubi Iyong?
- Xhosa · Wenza Ntoni?
- Zulu · Wenzani?
Reading together in Bemba
- 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 Bemba
Imbushi, Imbwa ne ŋombe
Nozibele no mushishi utatu
Magozwe
Ifyakufwala fya kusukulu
Umubili wandi
Khalai Alasosha Icaani ne Fimuti
Ulubuto Lunoono: Ilyashi lya pali Wangari Maathai
Icilandushi ca ŋuni
See all 40 free Bemba books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Finshi Uleecita?” free to read?
Yes. “Finshi Uleecita?” 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 “Finshi Uleecita?” in?
It is written in Bemba. Pagine has 40 free children’s books in Bemba.
What age is “Finshi Uleecita?” for?
It is best for ages 2–8 (Level 1 · First words). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Finshi Uleecita?” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in Kikuyu, Turkana, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and more.
Who wrote “Finshi Uleecita?”?
“Finshi Uleecita?” was written by Nina Orange and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Bemba translation is by Joseph Mwansa.
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Get the free app →Credits: Finshi Uleecita? — Written by Nina Orange; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Joseph Mwansa. Bemba, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=7292). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026