Kasumbi na Chiselele

Name: Kasumbi na Chiselele
Availability: InStock
Author: Ann Nduku

A free picture book in Luvale by Ann Nduku

Cover of Kasumbi na Chiselele, a Luvale picture book

Kasumbi na Chiselele is a picture book in Luvale for ages 5–11 by Ann Nduku that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

📖 Read it free →

Language: Luvale
Written by: Ann Nduku
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Masho Kaloza
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 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Kasumbi na Chiselele is a short illustrated picture book in Luvale by Ann Nduku, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Masho Kaloza. 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 Luvale. The book comes from Global Storybooks and is shared under an open CC BY 3.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 27 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Lwola lumwe, Kasumbi na Chiselele valikwachile usepa. Vatwamine mukuunda natujila vakwavo vosena. Wauchi numba umwe ahashile kutuka. Likumbi limwe, kwapwile zala yayinene mungalila. Chiselele atambukile thunda yayisuku kutonda vyakulya. Ahilukile nazeye. Ahanjikile ngwenyi, “Kwatela kupwa jila imwe yayashi yakutambukilamo!” Kusavala…

Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY 3.0).

This story in other languages

Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Kasumbi na Chiselele” is also available in:

Reading together in Luvale

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 Luvale

See all 40 free Luvale books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Kasumbi na Chiselele” free to read?

Yes. “Kasumbi na Chiselele” 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 3.0).

What language is “Kasumbi na Chiselele” in?

It is written in Luvale. Pagine has 40 free children’s books in Luvale.

What age is “Kasumbi na Chiselele” for?

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

Is “Kasumbi na Chiselele” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, EkeGusii, Somali, Xhosa, Afrikaans and more.

Who wrote “Kasumbi na Chiselele”?

“Kasumbi na Chiselele” was written by Ann Nduku and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Luvale translation is by Masho Kaloza.

Scan to get the free Pagine reading tracker app

Track reading with the free Pagine app

Log books, set goals and build a daily reading habit — free on iOS, Android and the web.

Get the free app →

Credits: Kasumbi na Chiselele — Written by Ann Nduku; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Masho Kaloza. Luvale, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=2084). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026