PagineImbewu Encane
A free picture book in Zulu by Nicola Rijsdijk
Imbewu Encane is a picture book in Zulu for ages 5–11 by Nicola Rijsdijk that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Zulu
- Written by
- Nicola Rijsdijk
- Illustrated by
- Maya Marshak
- Translated by
- Nal’ibali
- Reading level
- ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
- From
- South Africa
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Imbewu Encane is a short illustrated picture book in Zulu by Nicola Rijsdijk, illustrated by Maya Marshak and translated by Nal’ibali. 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 Zulu. 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 21 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).
How it begins
Emuzini osekwehleleni kweNtaba iKenya eMpumalanga ye-Afrika, kwakunentombazanyana eyayisebenza emasimini nomama wayo. UWangari wayekuthanda ukuba ngaphandle. Esivandeni sokudla somndeni wakhe wayelima khona umhlabathi ngegeja lakhe i-machete. Wayecindezela imbewu encane emhlabathini ofudumele. Isikhathi sosuku ayesithanda kwakungemvana kokushona kwelanga. Lapho sekumnyama kakhulu ukuthi…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. “Imbewu Encane” is also available in:
- Afrikaans · ‘n Klein saadjie: Die verhaal van Wangari Maathai
- Bemba · Ulubuto Lunoono: Ilyashi lya pali Wangari Maathai
- Hausa · Mitsitsin Iri: Labarin Wangari Maathai
- Jamaican Creole · Wahn Biini Siid: Di Stuori Bout Wangaari Matai
- Kaonde · Kalukunwa Kakacheeche; Jishimikila jakwa Wangari Maatai
- Khoekhoegowab · ǂKhari ǃKhomros: Wangari Maathais di ǂhôas
- Kiswahili · Mbegu Ndogo: Hadithi ya Wangari Maathai
- Lukhonzo · Erihera embutho: Omwatsi wa Wangari Maathai
- Lunda · Kambuntu kakanyanya: insan’gu ya Wangari Maathai.
- Luvale · Mbuto yayindende: Mujimbu wa Wangari Maathai
- Mauritian Creole · Enn tipti lagrin : Zistwar Wangari Maathai
- Nyanja · Kambewu kangóno: Nkhani ya Wangari Maathai
- Oshikwanyama · Okambuto kanininini: Ehokololo laWangari Maathai
- Oshindonga · Okambuto okashonashona: Ehokololo lyaWangari Maathai
- Otjiherero · Okandwi okaṱikona: Ehungi ra Wangari Maathai
- Sepedi · Peu Ye Nnyanennyane
- Somali · Mir yar: Sheekadii Wangari Mathaay
- Spanish · Una pequeña semilla: la historia de Wangari Maathai
- Tonga · Mbuto Nsyoonto: Kaano ka Wangari Maathai
- Tswana · Peo E Nnye: Tlhamane ya ga Wangari Maathai
- Xhosa · A Tiny Seed: The Story of Wangari Maathai
Reading together in Zulu
- 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 Zulu
Umgwaqo Omusha
Woza Mvula
Izinwele zami ezikhethekile
Ngiculele
Iphupho lami ediloweni
Umngani kaMali
Umshado wenhlanzi nenkukhu
Izicathulo zikaShongololo
See all 145 free Zulu books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Imbewu Encane” free to read?
Yes. “Imbewu Encane” 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 “Imbewu Encane” in?
It is written in Zulu. Pagine has 145 free children’s books in Zulu.
What age is “Imbewu Encane” for?
It is best for ages 5–11 (Level 3 · First paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Imbewu Encane” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in Hausa, Kiswahili, Somali, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Sepedi and more.
Who wrote “Imbewu Encane”?
“Imbewu Encane” was written by Nicola Rijsdijk and illustrated by Maya Marshak; the Zulu translation is by Nal’ibali.
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Get the free app →Credits: Imbewu Encane — Written by Nicola Rijsdijk; Illustrated by Maya Marshak; Translated by Nal’ibali; Read by Beauty Ngwenya. Zulu, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (southafricareads.org), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=9809). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026