PagineKalukunwa Kakacheeche; Jishimikila jakwa Wangari Maatai
A free picture book in Kaonde by Nicola Rijsdijk
Kalukunwa Kakacheeche; Jishimikila jakwa Wangari Maatai is a picture book in Kaonde for ages 5–11 by Nicola Rijsdijk that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Kaonde
- Written by
- Nicola Rijsdijk
- Illustrated by
- Maya Marshak
- Translated by
- Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo
- Reading level
- ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
- From
- Zambia
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Kalukunwa Kakacheeche; Jishimikila jakwa Wangari Maatai is a short illustrated picture book in Kaonde by Nicola Rijsdijk, illustrated by Maya Marshak and translated by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo. 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 Kaonde. 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
Amwa mu kyalo kya Kenya mukabeta ka kubuyeke musela bwa Afilika, muji muzhi muji mutumba wakunkuluka, mwaikalanga mwanyike wamukazhi waingilanga mumajimi na bainanji. Jizhina janji wajinga Wangari. Wangari watemenwe bingi kwikala pangye. Watemenwe kujima mu mashamba akisemi na lukasu wanji.…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. “Kalukunwa Kakacheeche; Jishimikila jakwa Wangari Maatai” 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
- 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
- Zulu · Imbewu Encane
Reading together in Kaonde
- 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 Kaonde
Juuba Jonafumine Kumuzhi Kuya Kutaunyi
Moba Akukokoloka na ba Nkambo Babakazhi
Kiwele Waumvwine Nzala
Kuteeka
Tom Musulu Wamakonde
Mbuzhi, Kabwa ne Ñombe
Lwimbo wakwa Sakima
Natemwa Kutanga!
See all 40 free Kaonde books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Kalukunwa Kakacheeche; Jishimikila jakwa Wangari Maatai” free to read?
Yes. “Kalukunwa Kakacheeche; Jishimikila jakwa Wangari Maatai” 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 “Kalukunwa Kakacheeche; Jishimikila jakwa Wangari Maatai” in?
It is written in Kaonde. Pagine has 40 free children’s books in Kaonde.
What age is “Kalukunwa Kakacheeche; Jishimikila jakwa Wangari Maatai” for?
It is best for ages 5–11 (Level 3 · First paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Kalukunwa Kakacheeche; Jishimikila jakwa Wangari Maatai” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in Hausa, Kiswahili, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and more.
Who wrote “Kalukunwa Kakacheeche; Jishimikila jakwa Wangari Maatai”?
“Kalukunwa Kakacheeche; Jishimikila jakwa Wangari Maatai” was written by Nicola Rijsdijk and illustrated by Maya Marshak; the Kaonde translation is by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo.
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Get the free app →Credits: Kalukunwa Kakacheeche; Jishimikila jakwa Wangari Maatai — Written by Nicola Rijsdijk; Illustrated by Maya Marshak; Translated by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo. Kaonde, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=9809). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026