Ikoku sikiria

A free picture book in Turkana by Lindiwe Matshikiza

Ikoku sikiria is a picture book in Turkana for ages 5–11 by Lindiwe Matshikiza that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language

Turkana

Written by

Lindiwe Matshikiza

Illustrated by

Meghan Judge

Translated by

Jacob Emekwi, Agnes Ngilimo

Reading level

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

From

Kenya

Source

Global Storybooks

Licence

CC BY 4.0

Price

Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Ikoku sikiria is a short illustrated picture book in Turkana by Lindiwe Matshikiza, illustrated by Meghan Judge and translated by Jacob Emekwi, Agnes Ngilimo. 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 Turkana. 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 22 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Arai ikoku niici ng’esi ni eking’aren eng’olikini ibore nikiumokina anikalonan. Aapunet aibore kang’ini, king’olik atamar kwa ibore aberu na adolit. Tokurianite toos dae, abu ikoku niici kurudar diye beru. “Echamikina ngon kiminio ngesi,” totiakut ng’itunga aikoku aniici. “Kiwakini ng’on ng’esi…

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. “Ikoku sikiria” is also available in:

• Afrikaans · Donkie-kind
• Bemba · Umwana Punda
• Dhopadhola · Nyathi Ma Nyakare
• English · Donkey child
• Jamaican Creole · Dangki Pikni
• Kaonde · Mbongolo Mwana
• Khoekhoegowab · Donki ǀgôab xa
• Kiswahili · Mtoto Punda
• Lukhonzo · Akana K’epunda
• Lunda · Mwana wa Donki
• Luvale · Mwana Chimbulu
• Mauritian Creole · Zanfan-Bourik
• Nyanja · Mwana wa Bulu
• Oshikwanyama · Okaana okandongwina
• Oshindonga · Okanona okandôongi
• Otjiherero · Okasinona
• Somali · Ilmo dameer ah
• Spanish · El Niño Burro
• Tonga · Kana Kambongolo
• Tswana · Ngwana wa setshwano sa tonki
• Xhosa · Umbhongolo, Usana Olusisimanga
• Zulu · Umntwana ongajwayelekile

Reading together in Turkana

• 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 Turkana

• Aluwae Eyei Ipus Nikang’?
• Akilakin Ata Egolitoe Esukul
• Lokaito Loochi Lokalany
• Akine, Ing’ok Ka Aite
• Ng’arei
• Atiakun Akiroit
• Ng’Iworui a Esukul
• Nyonte Emakar Epir Ng’Itim

See all 17 free Turkana books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Ikoku sikiria” free to read?

Yes. “Ikoku sikiria” 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 “Ikoku sikiria” in?

It is written in Turkana. Pagine has 17 free children’s books in Turkana.

What age is “Ikoku sikiria” for?

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

Is “Ikoku sikiria” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Tswana and more.

Who wrote “Ikoku sikiria”?

“Ikoku sikiria” was written by Lindiwe Matshikiza and illustrated by Meghan Judge; the Turkana translation is by Jacob Emekwi, Agnes Ngilimo.

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Credits: Ikoku sikiria — Written by Lindiwe Matshikiza; Illustrated by Meghan Judge; Translated by Jacob Emekwi, Agnes Ngilimo. Turkana, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-kenya), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=15028). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026