PagineMbegu Ndogo: Hadithi ya Wangari Maathai
A free picture book in Kiswahili by Nicola Rijsdijk
Mbegu Ndogo: Hadithi ya Wangari Maathai is a picture book in Kiswahili for ages 5–11 by Nicola Rijsdijk that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Kiswahili
- Written by
- Nicola Rijsdijk
- Illustrated by
- Maya Marshak
- Translated by
- Ursula Nafula
- Reading level
- ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
- From
- Kenya
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Mbegu Ndogo: Hadithi ya Wangari Maathai is a short illustrated picture book in Kiswahili by Nicola Rijsdijk, illustrated by Maya Marshak and translated by Ursula Nafula. 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 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
Katika kijiji kimoja kwenye mteremko wa Mlima wa Kenya, katika Afrika Mashariki, msichana mdogo alifanya kazi za shambani pamoja na mama yake. Msichana huyu aliitwa Wangari. Wangari alipenda kufanya kazi za nje. Alitumia jembe kulima katika bustani ya familia yake.…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. “Mbegu Ndogo: Hadithi ya Wangari Maathai” is also available in:
- Afrikaans · ‘n Klein saadjie: Die verhaal van Wangari Maathai
- Bemba · Ulubuto Lunoono: Ilyashi lya pali Wangari Maathai
- Hausa · Mitsitsin Iri: Labarin Wangari Maathai
- Jamaican Creole · Wahn Biini Siid: Di Stuori Bout Wangaari Matai
- Kaonde · Kalukunwa Kakacheeche; Jishimikila jakwa Wangari Maatai
- Khoekhoegowab · ǂKhari ǃKhomros: Wangari Maathais di ǂhôas
- Lukhonzo · Erihera embutho: Omwatsi wa Wangari Maathai
- Lunda · Kambuntu kakanyanya: insan’gu ya Wangari Maathai.
- Luvale · Mbuto yayindende: Mujimbu wa Wangari Maathai
- Mauritian Creole · Enn tipti lagrin : Zistwar Wangari Maathai
- Nyanja · Kambewu kangóno: Nkhani ya Wangari Maathai
- Oshikwanyama · Okambuto kanininini: Ehokololo laWangari Maathai
- Oshindonga · Okambuto okashonashona: Ehokololo lyaWangari Maathai
- Otjiherero · Okandwi okaṱikona: Ehungi ra Wangari Maathai
- Sepedi · Peu Ye Nnyanennyane
- Somali · Mir yar: Sheekadii Wangari Mathaay
- Spanish · Una pequeña semilla: la historia de Wangari Maathai
- Tonga · Mbuto Nsyoonto: Kaano ka Wangari Maathai
- Tswana · Peo E Nnye: Tlhamane ya ga Wangari Maathai
- Xhosa · A Tiny Seed: The Story of Wangari Maathai
- Zulu · Imbewu Encane
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
Khalai azungumza na mimea
Siku niliyoondoka nyumbani kuelekea mjini
Putu na Gutu
Rangi
Msichana aliyenuka
Kiundu mlafi
Mtoto wa miujiza
Basi kubwa la bluu
See all 100 free Kiswahili books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Mbegu Ndogo: Hadithi ya Wangari Maathai” free to read?
Yes. “Mbegu Ndogo: Hadithi ya Wangari Maathai” 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 “Mbegu Ndogo: Hadithi ya Wangari Maathai” in?
It is written in Kiswahili. Pagine has 100 free children’s books in Kiswahili.
What age is “Mbegu Ndogo: Hadithi ya Wangari Maathai” for?
It is best for ages 5–11 (Level 3 · First paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Mbegu Ndogo: Hadithi ya Wangari Maathai” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in Hausa, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Sepedi and more.
Who wrote “Mbegu Ndogo: Hadithi ya Wangari Maathai”?
“Mbegu Ndogo: Hadithi ya Wangari Maathai” was written by Nicola Rijsdijk and illustrated by Maya Marshak; the Kiswahili translation is by Ursula Nafula.
Log books, set goals and build a daily reading habit — free on iOS, Android and the web.
Get the free app →Credits: Mbegu Ndogo: Hadithi ya Wangari Maathai — Written by Nicola Rijsdijk; Illustrated by Maya Marshak; Translated by Ursula Nafula; Read by Lauwo George. Kiswahili, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-kenya), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=9809). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026