Mbongolo Mwana

Name: Mbongolo Mwana
Availability: InStock
Author: Lindiwe Matshikiza

A free picture book in Kaonde by Lindiwe Matshikiza

Cover of Mbongolo Mwana, a Kaonde picture book

Mbongolo Mwana is a picture book in Kaonde for ages 5–11 by Lindiwe Matshikiza that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Kaonde
Written by: Lindiwe Matshikiza
Illustrated by: Meghan Judge
Translated by: Ruth Kapamba, 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 4.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Mbongolo Mwana is a short illustrated picture book in Kaonde by Lindiwe Matshikiza, illustrated by Meghan Judge and translated by Ruth Kapamba, 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 4.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 22 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Mwana wamucheeche wamukazhi yewajinga mutanshi kumona kintu kyabula kuyukanyikwa paleepa. Bino akino kintu byokyafwenyenye pabwipi, wamwene amba nanchi wajinga inetu wajinga najimi jakoma. Mwanyike nangwa waumvwine bumvu, bino wajinga nangovu kabiji waile kubwipi nakwajinga inetu bajinga najimi. Balongo bauno mwanyike…

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. “Mbongolo Mwana” 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 “Mbongolo Mwana” free to read?

Yes. “Mbongolo Mwana” 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 “Mbongolo Mwana” in?

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

What age is “Mbongolo Mwana” for?

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

Is “Mbongolo Mwana” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Mbongolo Mwana”?

“Mbongolo Mwana” was written by Lindiwe Matshikiza and illustrated by Meghan Judge; the Kaonde translation is by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo.

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Credits: Mbongolo Mwana — Written by Lindiwe Matshikiza; Illustrated by Meghan Judge; Translated by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo. Kaonde, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=15028). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026