Kubala Banyama

Name: Kubala Banyama
Availability: InStock
Author: Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek

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

Cover of Kubala Banyama, a Kaonde picture book

Kubala Banyama is a picture book in Kaonde for ages 2–8 by Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Kaonde
Written by: Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek
Illustrated by: Rob Owen
Translated by: Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo
Reading level: ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 1 · First words
From: Zambia
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Kubala Banyama is a short illustrated picture book in Kaonde by Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek, illustrated by Rob Owen and translated by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo. 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 Kaonde. 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 32 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Nzovu umo ubena kuya nakutoma meema. Banjabuluba babiji babena kuya nakutoma meema. Bambowo basatu ne bañonyi babena kuya nakutoma meema. Bakasha batanu ne bampenge batanu naumo benakuya kumeema. Babingalika batanu nababiji babena kunyemena kumeema. Babombwe batanu na basatu ne masabi…

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. “Kubala Banyama” is also available in:

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

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Kubala Banyama” free to read?

Yes. “Kubala Banyama” 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 “Kubala Banyama” in?

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

What age is “Kubala Banyama” for?

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

Is “Kubala Banyama” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Kubala Banyama”?

“Kubala Banyama” was written by Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek and illustrated by Rob Owen; the Kaonde translation is by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo.

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Credits: Kubala Banyama — Written by Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek; Illustrated by Rob Owen; Translated by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo. Kaonde, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=9671). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026