PagineMbuzhi, Kabwa ne Ñombe
A free picture book in Kaonde by Fabian Wakholi
Mbuzhi, Kabwa ne Ñombe is a picture book in Kaonde for ages 5–8 by Fabian Wakholi that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Kaonde
- Written by
- Fabian Wakholi
- Illustrated by
- Marleen Visser, Ingrid Schechter
- Translated by
- Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo
- Reading level
- ages 5–8 · kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 2 · First sentences
- From
- Zambia
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 3.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Mbuzhi, Kabwa ne Ñombe is a short illustrated picture book in Kaonde by Fabian Wakholi, illustrated by Marleen Visser, Ingrid Schechter and translated by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo. It is written for ages 5–8 (Grades 1–2) and is graded as Level 2 · First sentences, 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 3.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 32 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).
How it begins
Mbuzhi, Kabwa ne Ñombe besampile bumbai. Juuba jimo baile palwendo mukamotoka katakisi. Byobafikile kobailenga, dalaivwa wibambijile amba bapane mali alwendo lwabo. Ñombe aye wapaine mali alwendo lwanji. Kabwa naye wapaine mali anji alwendo kabiji wabikilepo ne akwabo peulu, mambo kechi…Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY 3.0).
This story in other languages
Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Mbuzhi, Kabwa ne Ñombe” is also available in:
- Afrikaans · Bok, Hond en Koei
- Bemba · Imbushi, Imbwa ne ŋombe
- Dhopadhola · Dyel, Gwok Kodi Dhyaŋ
- English · Goat, Dog and Cow (Colour-in)
- Jamaican Creole · Guot, Daag an Kou
- Khoekhoegowab · Piris, Arib, tsî Gomas xa
- Kikamba · Mbui, Ngiti na Ng’ombe
- Kimaasai · Enkíné, Oldía ó Enkíténg
- Kiswahili · Mbuzi, Mbwa na Ng’ombe
- Luganda · Wambuzi, Wambwa ne Wante
- Lugbarati (official orthography) · Ndrí ‘ɨ, Òcó ‘ɨ àzɨ́nɨ Tí ‘ɨ
- Lukhonzo · Embene, Embwa, n’Ende
- Lumasaaba · Imbusi, Imbwa ni Ngaafu
- Lunda · Impembi, Kawa na Ng’ombi
- Lunyole · Embusi, Embwa n’Eῃombe
- Luvale · Phembe, Kawa, na Ngombe
- Mauritian Creole · Kabri, Lisien, ek Vas
- Nigerian Pidgin · Goat, dog, and Malu
- Nyanja · Mbuzi, Galu ndi Ng’ombe
- Oshikwanyama · Shikombo, Mbwa nOngobe
- Oshindonga · Oshikombo, ombwa nongombe
- Otjiherero · Ongombo, ombwa nongombe
- Rutooro · Embuzi, Embwa, N’Ente
- Sesotho · Podi, Ntja le kgomo
- Somali · Ri, Eey iyo Sac
- South Ndebele · Imbuzi, Inja Nekomo
- Spanish · La Cabra, el Perro y la Vaca
- Tonga · Mpongo, Mubwa a ŋombe
- Tswana · Podi,Ntsa le Kgomo
- Turkana · Akine, Ing’ok Ka Aite
- Xhosa · UBhokhwe, uNja, noNkomo
- Zulu · Imbuzi, Inja Nenkomo
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
Kyabujila Byovwe Kwikala Nabooya
Andiswa Shenyenye Wampila ya Kumaulu
Juuba Jonafumine Kumuzhi Kuya Kutaunyi
Moba Akukokoloka na ba Nkambo Babakazhi
Kiwele Waumvwine Nzala
Kuteeka
Tom Musulu Wamakonde
Mbongolo Mwana
See all 40 free Kaonde books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Mbuzhi, Kabwa ne Ñombe” free to read?
Yes. “Mbuzhi, Kabwa ne Ñombe” 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 3.0).
What language is “Mbuzhi, Kabwa ne Ñombe” in?
It is written in Kaonde. Pagine has 40 free children’s books in Kaonde.
What age is “Mbuzhi, Kabwa ne Ñombe” for?
It is best for ages 5–8 (Level 2 · First sentences). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Mbuzhi, Kabwa ne Ñombe” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in English, Nigerian Pidgin, Kiswahili, Kikamba, Kimaasai, Turkana and more.
Who wrote “Mbuzhi, Kabwa ne Ñombe”?
“Mbuzhi, Kabwa ne Ñombe” was written by Fabian Wakholi and illustrated by Marleen Visser, Ingrid Schechter; the Kaonde translation is by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo.
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Get the free app →Credits: Mbuzhi, Kabwa ne Ñombe — Written by Fabian Wakholi; Illustrated by Marleen Visser, Ingrid Schechter; Translated by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo. Kaonde, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=6380). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026