Liphi likati lami

Name: Liphi likati lami
Availability: InStock
Author: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

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

Cover of Liphi likati lami, a Swati picture book

Liphi likati lami is a picture book in Swati for ages 2–8 by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Swati
Written by: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi
Illustrated by: Bronwen Heath, Ingrid Schechter
Translated by: Gabsile Precious Shongwe
Reading level: ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 1 · First words
From: South Africa
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY-NC 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Liphi likati lami is a short illustrated picture book in Swati by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi, illustrated by Bronwen Heath, Ingrid Schechter and translated by Gabsile Precious Shongwe. 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 Swati. The book comes from Global Storybooks and is shared under an open CC BY-NC 3.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 29 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Liphi likati lami. Ngabe lingaphansi kwembhedze? Ngabe lingetulu kwelibhokisi letimpahla? Ngabe lingemuva kwesitulo sasendlini yekuphumula? Ngabe liseceleni kwemgcomo wetibi? Ngabe lisekhatsi kwelibhaketi? Ngabe lingephandle kwendlu? Nali lana! Liphi likati lami — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated…

Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY-NC 3.0).

This story in other languages

Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Liphi likati lami” is also available in:

Reading together in Swati

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 Swati

See all 68 free Swati books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Liphi likati lami” free to read?

Yes. “Liphi likati lami” 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-NC 3.0).

What language is “Liphi likati lami” in?

It is written in Swati. Pagine has 68 free children’s books in Swati.

What age is “Liphi likati lami” for?

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

Is “Liphi likati lami” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Liphi likati lami”?

“Liphi likati lami” was written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi and illustrated by Bronwen Heath, Ingrid Schechter; the Swati translation is by Gabsile Precious Shongwe.

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Credits: Liphi likati lami — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated by Bronwen Heath, Ingrid Schechter; Translated by Gabsile Precious Shongwe. Swati, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (southafricareads.org), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=1825). CC BY-NC 3.0. · Page updated October 2026