PagineIsigqibo
A free picture book in Xhosa by Ursula Nafula
Isigqibo is a picture book in Xhosa for ages 5–8 by Ursula Nafula that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Xhosa
- Written by
- Ursula Nafula
- Illustrated by
- Vusi Malindi
- Translated by
- Bukiwe Tiyane
- Reading level
- ages 5–8 · kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 2 · First sentences
- From
- South Africa
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Isigqibo is a short illustrated picture book in Xhosa by Ursula Nafula, illustrated by Vusi Malindi and translated by Bukiwe Tiyane. 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 Xhosa. 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
Ilali yam yayineengxaki eziniinzi. Sasisenza umgca omde siyokukha amanzi etephini enye. Sasilinda ukutya esikuphiwa ngabanye. Sasizitshixa kwangethuba izindlu zethu ngenxa yamasela. Abantwana abaninzi basiyeka isikolo. Amantombazana ayesebenza njengezicakakazi kwezinye iilali. Amakhwenkwe ayezulazula elalini ngelixa abanye besebenza kwiifama zabantu. Xa umoya…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. “Isigqibo” is also available in:
- Afrikaans · Die Besluit
- Bemba · Ukusalapo
- English · Decision
- Jamaican Creole · Disizhan
- Kaonde · Kufuukula
- Khoekhoegowab · Mîǁguib
- Kichaga · Irikiana
- Kiswahili · Uamuzi
- Lukhonzo · Eritwamo
- Lunda · Kuzhina
- Luvale · Kusakula
- Mauritian Creole · Desizion
- Nyanja · Ganizo
- Oshikwanyama · Etokolo
- Oshindonga · Etokolo
- Otjiherero · Omazuvasaneno
- Sesotho · Qeto
- Somali · Go’aan
- Spanish · La decisión
- Tonga · Kusala
- Tswana · Tshwetso
- Turkana · Atiakun Akiroit
Reading together in Xhosa
- 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 Xhosa
USloth Vilavoco
Ndiculele
USenzo neLanga
Ihlabathi lemilingo likaNkszn Helen
Usuku Oluhle
UZanele Ubona Amanani
Hawu-Hawu!
Ukubala izilwanyana
See all 145 free Xhosa books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Isigqibo” free to read?
Yes. “Isigqibo” 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 “Isigqibo” in?
It is written in Xhosa. Pagine has 145 free children’s books in Xhosa.
What age is “Isigqibo” for?
It is best for ages 5–8 (Level 2 · First sentences). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Isigqibo” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, Turkana, Somali, Afrikaans, Tswana and more.
Who wrote “Isigqibo”?
“Isigqibo” was written by Ursula Nafula and illustrated by Vusi Malindi; the Xhosa translation is by Bukiwe Tiyane.
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Get the free app →Credits: Isigqibo — Written by Ursula Nafula; Illustrated by Vusi Malindi; Translated by Bukiwe Tiyane. Xhosa, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (southafricareads.org), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=13304). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026