Kwa nini Viboko Hawana Nywele

Name: Kwa nini Viboko Hawana Nywele
Availability: InStock
Author: Basilio Gimo, David Ker

A free picture book in Kiswahili by Basilio Gimo, David Ker

Cover of Kwa nini Viboko Hawana Nywele, a Kiswahili picture book

Kwa nini Viboko Hawana Nywele is a picture book in Kiswahili for ages 5–8 by Basilio Gimo, David Ker that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Kiswahili
Written by: Basilio Gimo, David Ker
Illustrated by: Carol Liddiment
Translated by: Matteo E
Reading level: ages 5–8 · kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 2 · First sentences
From: Kenya
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Kwa nini Viboko Hawana Nywele is a short illustrated picture book in Kiswahili by Basilio Gimo, David Ker, illustrated by Carol Liddiment and translated by Matteo E. It is written for ages 5–8 (Grades 1–2) and is graded as Level 2 · First sentences, 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 31 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Siku moja, Sungura alikuwa akitembea pembeni ya mto. Kiboko alikuwepo pia, akitembea huku akila majani mazuri ya kijani. Kiboko hakumwona Sungura na kwa bahati mbaya akaukanyaga mguu wa Sungura. Sungura akaanza kumpigia Kiboko kelele. “We Kiboko huoni kama umeukanyaga mguu…

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. “Kwa nini Viboko Hawana Nywele” 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 “Kwa nini Viboko Hawana Nywele” free to read?

Yes. “Kwa nini Viboko Hawana Nywele” 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 “Kwa nini Viboko Hawana Nywele” in?

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

What age is “Kwa nini Viboko Hawana Nywele” for?

It is best for ages 5–8 (Level 2 · First sentences). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Kwa nini Viboko Hawana Nywele” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in Kimaasai, Turkana, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and more.

Who wrote “Kwa nini Viboko Hawana Nywele”?

“Kwa nini Viboko Hawana Nywele” was written by Basilio Gimo, David Ker and illustrated by Carol Liddiment; the Kiswahili translation is by Matteo E.

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Credits: Kwa nini Viboko Hawana Nywele — Written by Basilio Gimo, David Ker; Illustrated by Carol Liddiment; Translated by Matteo E. Mwita; Read by Lauwo George. Kiswahili, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-kenya), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=6160). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026