Kuhesabu wanyama

Name: Kuhesabu wanyama
Availability: InStock
Author: Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek

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

Cover of Kuhesabu wanyama, a Kiswahili picture book

Kuhesabu wanyama is a picture book in Kiswahili 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: Kiswahili
Written by: Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek
Illustrated by: Rob Owen
Translated by: Matteo E
Reading level: ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 1 · First words
From: Kenya
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Kuhesabu wanyama is a short illustrated picture book in Kiswahili by Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek, illustrated by Rob Owen and translated by Matteo E. 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 Kiswahili. 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

Tembo mmoja anakwenda kunywa maji. Twiga wawili wanaenda kunywa maji. Nyati watatu na ndege wanne nao wanaenda kunywa maji. Swala watano na ngiri sita wanatembea kuelekea kwenye maji. Punda milia saba wanakimbia kuelekea kwenye maji. Vyura wanane na samaki tisa…

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. “Kuhesabu wanyama” is also available in:

Reading together in Kiswahili

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 Kiswahili

See all 100 free Kiswahili books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Kuhesabu wanyama” free to read?

Yes. “Kuhesabu wanyama” 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 “Kuhesabu wanyama” in?

It is written in Kiswahili. Pagine has 100 free children’s books in Kiswahili.

What age is “Kuhesabu wanyama” for?

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

Is “Kuhesabu wanyama” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Kuhesabu wanyama”?

“Kuhesabu wanyama” was written by Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek and illustrated by Rob Owen; the Kiswahili translation is by Matteo E.

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Credits: Kuhesabu wanyama — Written by Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek; Illustrated by Rob Owen; Translated by Matteo E. Mwita; Read by Lauwo George. Kiswahili, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-kenya), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=9671). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026