PagineLo uphakathi
A free picture book in Xhosa by Kirsty Paxton
Lo uphakathi is a picture book in Xhosa for ages 2–8 by Kirsty Paxton that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Xhosa · isiXhosa
- Written by
- Kirsty Paxton
- Illustrated by
- Neeske Alexander
- Reading level
- ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade
- From
- South Africa
- Source
- Book Dash
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Lo uphakathi is a short illustrated picture book in Xhosa by Kirsty Paxton, illustrated by Neeske Alexander. It is written for ages 2–8, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Xhosa. The book comes from Book Dash and is shared under an open CC BY 4.0 licence, which is why it is free to read.
How it begins
UKhanyiswa akazalwanga kuqala. Akanguye nowokugqibela. Ungulo UPHAKATHI! Lo uphakathi — Written by Kirsty Paxton; Illustrated by Neeske Alexander; Designed by Melissa Visser. isiXhosa. Published by Book Dash (ISBN 978-0-948602-01-6). CC BY 4.0. Source: https://bookdash.org/books/lo-uphakathi/Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY 4.0).
Reading together in Xhosa
- 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 Xhosa
Lusuku lwam lokuzalwa!
Eyona Ndlwane Ibalaseleyo
Indlela yoKwenza Mbuna iRhamncwa
Ilifu loMnyama: Ibali likaMkabayi Mmama
Kufanele ukuba kubekho umnyama
Ukucoca Okukhulu
Owu Mvula Yiza
USloth Vilavoco
See all 145 free Xhosa books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Lo uphakathi” free to read?
Yes. “Lo uphakathi” 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 “Lo uphakathi” in?
It is written in Xhosa (isiXhosa). Pagine has 145 free children’s books in Xhosa.
What age is “Lo uphakathi” for?
It is best for ages 2–8. Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Who wrote “Lo uphakathi”?
“Lo uphakathi” was written by Kirsty Paxton and illustrated by Neeske Alexander.
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Get the free app →Credits: Lo uphakathi — Written by Kirsty Paxton; Illustrated by Neeske Alexander; Designed by Melissa Visser. isiXhosa. Published by Book Dash (ISBN 978-0-948602-01-6). CC BY 4.0. Source: https://bookdash.org/books/lo-uphakathi/ · Page updated October 2026