Granmaa banaana dem

Name: Granmaa banaana dem
Availability: InStock
Author: Ursula Nafula

A free picture book in Jamaican Creole by Ursula Nafula

Cover of Granmaa banaana dem, a Jamaican Creole picture book

Granmaa banaana dem is a picture book in Jamaican Creole for ages 8–11 by Ursula Nafula that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Jamaican Creole
Written by: Ursula Nafula
Illustrated by: Catherine Groenewald
Translated by: Georgette McGlashen
Reading level: ages 8–11 · 3rd to 5th grade · Level 4 · Longer paragraphs
From: Jamaica
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Granmaa banaana dem is a short illustrated picture book in Jamaican Creole by Ursula Nafula, illustrated by Catherine Groenewald and translated by Georgette McGlashen. It is written for ages 8–11 (Grades 3–4) and is graded as Level 4 · Longer paragraphs, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Jamaican Creole. 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 18 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Granmaa gyaadn did nais-nais, fol a sogm, milet, an kasaava. Bot di bes a did di banaana dem. Alduo Granmaa did av nof granpikni, mi di nuo anda di kwaiyat se mi a did ar fievarit. Shi mek mi kom…

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. “Granmaa banaana dem” is also available in:

Reading together in Jamaican Creole

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 Jamaican Creole

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Granmaa banaana dem” free to read?

Yes. “Granmaa banaana dem” 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 “Granmaa banaana dem” in?

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

What age is “Granmaa banaana dem” for?

It is best for ages 8–11 (Level 4 · Longer paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Granmaa banaana dem” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in EkeGusii, Kikamba, Kimaasai, Somali, Afrikaans, Tswana and more.

Who wrote “Granmaa banaana dem”?

“Granmaa banaana dem” was written by Ursula Nafula and illustrated by Catherine Groenewald; the Jamaican Creole translation is by Georgette McGlashen.

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Credits: Granmaa banaana dem — Written by Ursula Nafula; Illustrated by Catherine Groenewald; Translated by Georgette McGlashen. Jamaican Creole, Level 4. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-jamaica), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=2094). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026