PagineKuku na Jongoo
A free picture book in Kiswahili by Winny Asara
Kuku na Jongoo is a picture book in Kiswahili for ages 5–11 by Winny Asara that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Kiswahili
- Written by
- Winny Asara
- Illustrated by
- Magriet Brink
- Translated by
- Matteo E
- Reading level
- ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
- From
- Kenya
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 3.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Kuku na Jongoo is a short illustrated picture book in Kiswahili by Winny Asara, illustrated by Magriet Brink and translated by Matteo E. 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 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 26 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).
How it begins
Kuku na Jongoo walikuwa marafiki. Ila walikuwa wanashindana kila mara. Siku moja wakaamua kucheza mpira wa miguu ili waweze kubaini nani alikuwa mchezaji bora zaidi. Wakaenda uwanjani na wakaanza kucheza. Kuku alikuwa na kasi ila Jongoo alikuwa na kasi zaidi.…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. “Kuku na Jongoo” is also available in:
- Afrikaans · Hennetjie en Duisendpoot
- Bemba · Inkoko ne Ciyongoli
- Dhopadhola · Gweno Kodi Ongongolo
- Gurene · Nͻbila La Katagune
- Jamaican Creole · Chikin an Milipiid
- Kaonde · Nzolo ne Munyongolo
- Khoekhoegowab · ǁGâu-anib tsî Tūsôab hâkha
- Lukhonzo · Enkoko nawa Kinyangongolho
- Lumasaaba · Ingokho ni Likongolyo
- Lunda · Kasumbi na munzhon’olu
- Luvale · Kasumbi na Chingolongochi
- Mauritian Creole · Poul ek Milpat
- Nyanja · Nkhuku ndi Bongololo
- Oshikwanyama · Xuxwa naMbalangadja
- Oshindonga · Ondjuxwa Nongoongololo
- Otjiherero · Ohunguriva nengororo
- Rutooro · Enkoko N’ Ekikongoro
- Sesotho · Kgoho le Lefokolodi
- Somali · Digaag iyo hangaraarac
- Spanish · El Pollo y el Milpiés
- Tonga · Nkuku a Joongolo
- Tsonga · Huku Na Khongoloti
- Tswana · Koko le Sebokolodi
- Venda · Khuhu Na Dongololo
- Xhosa · UNkukhu noSongololo
- Zulu · Unkukhu Noshongololo
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 40 free Kiswahili books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Kuku na Jongoo” free to read?
Yes. “Kuku na Jongoo” 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 “Kuku na Jongoo” in?
It is written in Kiswahili. Pagine has 40 free children’s books in Kiswahili.
What age is “Kuku na Jongoo” for?
It is best for ages 5–11 (Level 3 · First paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Kuku na Jongoo” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Tswana, Sesotho and more.
Who wrote “Kuku na Jongoo”?
“Kuku na Jongoo” was written by Winny Asara and illustrated by Magriet Brink; the Kiswahili translation is by Matteo E.
Log books, set goals and build a daily reading habit — free on iOS, Android and the web.
Get the free app →Credits: Kuku na Jongoo — Written by Winny Asara; Illustrated by Magriet Brink; Translated by Matteo E. Mwita; Read by Lauwo George. Kiswahili, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-uganda), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=9094). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026