Ico imfubu ishakwatila umushishi

Name: Ico imfubu ishakwatila umushishi
Availability: InStock
Author: Basilio Gimo, David Ker

A free picture book in Bemba by Basilio Gimo, David Ker

Cover of Ico imfubu ishakwatila umushishi, a Bemba picture book

Ico imfubu ishakwatila umushishi is a picture book in Bemba for ages 5–8 by Basilio Gimo, David Ker that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

📖 Read it free →

Language: Bemba
Written by: Basilio Gimo, David Ker
Illustrated by: Carol Liddiment
Translated by: Sandra Mulesu
Reading level: ages 5–8 · kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 2 · First sentences
From: Zambia
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Ico imfubu ishakwatila umushishi is a short illustrated picture book in Bemba by Basilio Gimo, David Ker, illustrated by Carol Liddiment and translated by Sandra Mulesu. It is written for ages 5–8 (Grades 1–2) and is graded as Level 2 · First sentences, 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 31 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Ubushiku bumo, kalulu aile aleenda mu lulamba lwa mumana. Imfubu nayo eko yaali, yaletandala no kulya umulemfwe uusuma saana. Imfubu tayamwene ukuti Kalulu nao eko ali, epakumunyanta pa kuulu. Kalulu ayambile ukupundilila imfubu. “Iwe Mfubu! Taulemona ukuti naunyanta pa kuulu?”…

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. “Ico imfubu ishakwatila umushishi” is also available in:

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

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Ico imfubu ishakwatila umushishi” free to read?

Yes. “Ico imfubu ishakwatila umushishi” 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 “Ico imfubu ishakwatila umushishi” in?

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

What age is “Ico imfubu ishakwatila umushishi” for?

It is best for ages 5–8 (Level 2 · First sentences). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Ico imfubu ishakwatila umushishi” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in Kiswahili, Kimaasai, Turkana, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa and more.

Who wrote “Ico imfubu ishakwatila umushishi”?

“Ico imfubu ishakwatila umushishi” was written by Basilio Gimo, David Ker and illustrated by Carol Liddiment; the Bemba translation is by Sandra Mulesu.

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Credits: Ico imfubu ishakwatila umushishi — Written by Basilio Gimo, David Ker; Illustrated by Carol Liddiment; Translated by Sandra Mulesu. Bemba, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=6160). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026