Kasyoonto Kangu kasankwa Katolo

Name: Kasyoonto Kangu kasankwa Katolo
Availability: InStock
Author: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

A free picture book in Tonga by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

Cover of Kasyoonto Kangu kasankwa Katolo, a Tonga picture book

Kasyoonto Kangu kasankwa Katolo is a picture book in Tonga for ages 2–8 by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Tonga
Written by: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi
Illustrated by: Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter
Translated by: Chester Mwanza
Reading level: ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 1 · First words
From: Zambia
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY-NC 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Kasyoonto Kangu kasankwa Katolo is a short illustrated picture book in Tonga by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi, illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter and translated by Chester Mwanza. It is written for ages 2–8 (Nursery–Year 1) and is graded as Level 1 · First words, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Tonga. The book comes from Global Storybooks and is shared under an open CC BY-NC 3.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 33 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Ndilabuka ndamana ndakunka mulilo. Ndajika meenda. Ndagonka nkuni. Ndakopa mumpoto. Ndakukula ansi muŋanda. Ndasanzya mitiba. Nkaambo nzi ncendibelekela canguzu boobu… … kakuli musyooonto wangu wiide kusobana? Kasyoonto Kangu kasankwa Katolo — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated…

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

This story in other languages

Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Kasyoonto Kangu kasankwa Katolo” is also available in:

Reading together in Tonga

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 Tonga

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Kasyoonto Kangu kasankwa Katolo” free to read?

Yes. “Kasyoonto Kangu kasankwa Katolo” 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-NC 3.0).

What language is “Kasyoonto Kangu kasankwa Katolo” in?

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

What age is “Kasyoonto Kangu kasankwa Katolo” for?

It is best for ages 2–8 (Level 1 · First words). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Kasyoonto Kangu kasankwa Katolo” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, Kikamba, Kimaasai, Turkana, Somali and more.

Who wrote “Kasyoonto Kangu kasankwa Katolo”?

“Kasyoonto Kangu kasankwa Katolo” was written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi and illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter; the Tonga translation is by Chester Mwanza.

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Credits: Kasyoonto Kangu kasankwa Katolo — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter; Translated by Chester Mwanza. Tonga, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=2896). CC BY-NC 3.0. · Page updated October 2026