Kyaje ne Mpungu

Name: Kyaje ne Mpungu
Availability: InStock
Author: Ann Nduku

A free picture book in Kaonde by Ann Nduku

Cover of Kyaje ne Mpungu, a Kaonde picture book

Kyaje ne Mpungu is a picture book in Kaonde for ages 5–11 by Ann Nduku that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Kaonde
Written by: Ann Nduku
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Mwitila Ntabo
Reading level: ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
From: Zambia
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Kyaje ne Mpungu is a short illustrated picture book in Kaonde by Ann Nduku, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Mwitila Ntabo. 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 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 27 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Kala kene, kyaje ne mpungu besampile bumbai. Baikalanga bulongo na bakwabo bañonyi. Kafwako wakonsheshenga kutumbukane. Mwaka umo, mu kyalo mwajinga nzala. Mpungu wayile kwalepa bingi nakukeba byakuja. Nanchi wakokele bingi pa kimye kyoabwelelenga. Mpungu walanguiukile mba, “Kwakonsha kwikalapo jishinda jimo…

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. “Kyaje ne Mpungu” 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 “Kyaje ne Mpungu” free to read?

Yes. “Kyaje ne Mpungu” 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 “Kyaje ne Mpungu” in?

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

What age is “Kyaje ne Mpungu” for?

It is best for ages 5–11 (Level 3 · First paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Kyaje ne Mpungu” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, EkeGusii, Somali, Xhosa, Afrikaans and more.

Who wrote “Kyaje ne Mpungu”?

“Kyaje ne Mpungu” was written by Ann Nduku and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Kaonde translation is by Mwitila Ntabo.

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Credits: Kyaje ne Mpungu — Written by Ann Nduku; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Mwitila Ntabo. Kaonde, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=2084). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026