Kambewu kangóno: Nkhani ya Wangari Maathai

A free picture book in Nyanja by Nicola Rijsdijk

Kambewu kangóno: Nkhani ya Wangari Maathai is a picture book in Nyanja for ages 5–11 by Nicola Rijsdijk that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language

Nyanja

Written by

Nicola Rijsdijk

Illustrated by

Maya Marshak

Translated by

Gridon Mwale

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

Kambewu kangóno: Nkhani ya Wangari Maathai is a short illustrated picture book in Nyanja by Nicola Rijsdijk, illustrated by Maya Marshak and translated by Gridon Mwale. 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 Nyanja. 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

M’mudzi wina womangidwa pamatelo a phili la Kenya Kum’mawa kwa Africa, kamtsikana kakang’ono kamagwila nchito m’munda ndi amai ake. Dzina lake anali Wangari. Wangari amakonda kucezela pabwalo. Wangari anagaula mudimba mwao nabzyala tumbewu mnthaka yomwe inali yothuma. Nthawi imene anali…

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. “Kambewu kangóno: Nkhani ya Wangari Maathai” 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
• 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 Nyanja

• 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 Nyanja

• Angathe ndi Sangathe
• Kasokosi kakang'ono ndi tinyama tating'ono
• Mnyanyau
• Tiyeni tisewere
• Kuwelengela Nyama
• Awili
• Ncifukwa Ciani Mvuu zilibe Tsitsi
• Andiswa kaswili wa masowela ailmpila

See all 105 free Nyanja books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Kambewu kangóno: Nkhani ya Wangari Maathai” free to read?

Yes. “Kambewu kangóno: Nkhani ya Wangari Maathai” 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 “Kambewu kangóno: Nkhani ya Wangari Maathai” in?

It is written in Nyanja. Pagine has 105 free children’s books in Nyanja.

What age is “Kambewu kangóno: Nkhani ya Wangari Maathai” for?

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

Is “Kambewu kangóno: Nkhani ya Wangari Maathai” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in Hausa, Kiswahili, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and more.

Who wrote “Kambewu kangóno: Nkhani ya Wangari Maathai”?

“Kambewu kangóno: Nkhani ya Wangari Maathai” was written by Nicola Rijsdijk and illustrated by Maya Marshak; the Nyanja translation is by Gridon Mwale.

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Credits: Kambewu kangóno: Nkhani ya Wangari Maathai — Written by Nicola Rijsdijk; Illustrated by Maya Marshak; Translated by Gridon Mwale; Read by Christine Mwanza. Nyanja, 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