PagineLikizo kwa bibi
A free picture book in Kiswahili by Violet Otieno
Likizo kwa bibi is a picture book in Kiswahili for ages 8–11 by Violet Otieno that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Kiswahili
- Written by
- Violet Otieno
- Illustrated by
- Catherine Groenewald
- Translated by
- Brigid Simiyu
- Reading level
- ages 8–11 · 3rd to 5th grade · Level 4 · Longer paragraphs
- From
- Kenya
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Likizo kwa bibi is a short illustrated picture book in Kiswahili by Violet Otieno, illustrated by Catherine Groenewald and translated by Brigid Simiyu. It is written for ages 8–11 (Grades 3–4) and is graded as Level 4 · Longer 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 4.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 21 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).
How it begins
Odongo na Apiyo waliishi mjini na baba yao. Walisubiri likizo kwa hamu. Siyo tu kwa shule kufungwa, bali ni kwa sababu walienda kumtembelea bibi yao. Aliishi katika kijiji cha uvuvi karibu na ziwa kubwa. Odongo na Apiyo walichangamka kwani ulikuwa…Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY 4.0).
This story in other languages
Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Likizo kwa bibi” is also available in:
- Asante Twi · Kɔsra Wɔn Nanabaa
- Bemba · Cuuti kuli bamaama
- Dhopadhola · Ywomirok Bothi Adhadha
- Jamaican Creole · Alidie wid Granmaa
- Kaonde · Moba Akukokoloka na ba Nkambo Babakazhi
- Kichaga · Enda Irikira Mai
- Lukhonzo · Ekihumuro E’wamukaka
- Lunda · Hakunoka na nkanka wamubanda
- Lunyole · Ohuŋumulira ewa nguhwa
- Luvale · Makumbi akunokha nakhaka waphwevo
- Mauritian Creole · Vakans kot granmer
- Sepedi · Re etela koko
- Somali · Fasaxyadii lala joogay ayeeyo
- Spanish · De vacaciones con la abuela
- Tonga · Mupumuno kuli Baneene
- Tsonga · Ku Endzela Kokwana Wa Xisati Hi Tiholideyi
- Tswana · Nako ya boikhutso le mmemogolo
- Turkana · Akilakin Ata Egolitoe Esukul
- Venda · Holodeyi Na Makhulu
- Xhosa · Ulilitha Noluniko Batyelela Umakhulu Wabo
- Zulu · Umondli Nombali Bavakashela Ugogo Wabo
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 “Likizo kwa bibi” free to read?
Yes. “Likizo kwa bibi” 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 4.0).
What language is “Likizo kwa bibi” in?
It is written in Kiswahili. Pagine has 40 free children’s books in Kiswahili.
What age is “Likizo kwa bibi” for?
It is best for ages 8–11 (Level 4 · Longer paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Likizo kwa bibi” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in Turkana, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Sepedi, Tswana and more.
Who wrote “Likizo kwa bibi”?
“Likizo kwa bibi” was written by Violet Otieno and illustrated by Catherine Groenewald; the Kiswahili translation is by Brigid Simiyu.
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Get the free app →Credits: Likizo kwa bibi — Written by Violet Otieno; Illustrated by Catherine Groenewald; Translated by Brigid Simiyu; Read by Lauwo George. Kiswahili, Level 4. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-uganda), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=12084). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026