Ifyakufwala fya kusukulu

Name: Ifyakufwala fya kusukulu
Availability: InStock
Author: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

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

Cover of Ifyakufwala fya kusukulu, a Bemba picture book

Ifyakufwala fya kusukulu is a picture book in Bemba for ages 2–8 by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Bemba
Written by: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi
Illustrated by: Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter
Translated by: Agnes Chileshe Chibamba
Reading level: ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 1 · First words
From: Zambia
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY-NC 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Ifyakufwala fya kusukulu is a short illustrated picture book in Bemba by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi, illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter and translated by Agnes Chileshe Chibamba. 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-NC 3.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 30 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Ilaya ili liitali. Sweta iyi ikulu. Icoola ici ciikulu. Umushipi uyu… Icisote ici ciinoono. Insokoshi shiipi. Nomba insapato ishi shiipya. … Shilalinga bwino. Ifyakufwala fya kusukulu — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid…

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. “Ifyakufwala fya kusukulu” 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 “Ifyakufwala fya kusukulu” free to read?

Yes. “Ifyakufwala fya kusukulu” 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 “Ifyakufwala fya kusukulu” in?

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

What age is “Ifyakufwala fya kusukulu” for?

It is best for ages 2–8 (Level 1 · First words). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Ifyakufwala fya kusukulu” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, Kikuyu, Kikamba, Kimaasai, Turkana and more.

Who wrote “Ifyakufwala fya kusukulu”?

“Ifyakufwala fya kusukulu” was written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi and illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter; the Bemba translation is by Agnes Chileshe Chibamba.

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Credits: Ifyakufwala fya kusukulu — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter; Translated by Agnes Chileshe Chibamba. Bemba, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=1794). CC BY-NC 3.0. · Page updated October 2026