Kulava tunyama

Name: Kulava tunyama
Availability: InStock
Author: Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek

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

Cover of Kulava tunyama, a Luvale picture book

Kulava tunyama is a picture book in Luvale 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: Luvale
Written by: Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek
Illustrated by: Rob Owen
Translated by: Masho Kaloza
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

Kulava tunyama is a short illustrated picture book in Luvale by Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek, illustrated by Rob Owen and translated by Masho Kaloza. 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 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 32 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Njamba umwe ali nakuya nakunwa meya. Vathungu vavali vali nakuya nakunwa meya. Vaphakasa vatatu natujila vawana navakhiko vali nakuya nakunwa meya. Tusenda vatanu navihengi vatanu-naumwe vali nakuya kumeya. Vangolo vatanu-navavali vali nakuthuchila kumeya. Vimbotwe vatanu-navatatu navayishi vatanu-navawana vali nakuhala mumeya.…

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. “Kulava tunyama” 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 “Kulava tunyama” free to read?

Yes. “Kulava tunyama” 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 “Kulava tunyama” in?

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

What age is “Kulava tunyama” for?

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

Is “Kulava tunyama” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Kulava tunyama”?

“Kulava tunyama” was written by Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek and illustrated by Rob Owen; the Luvale translation is by Masho Kaloza.

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Credits: Kulava tunyama — Written by Zanele Buthelezi, Thembani Dladla, Clare Verbeek; Illustrated by Rob Owen; Translated by Masho Kaloza. Luvale, 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