Mitsitsin Iri: Labarin Wangari Maathai

A free picture book in Hausa by Nicola Rijsdijk

Mitsitsin Iri: Labarin Wangari Maathai is a picture book in Hausa for ages 5–11 by Nicola Rijsdijk that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language

Hausa

Written by

Nicola Rijsdijk

Illustrated by

Maya Marshak

Translated by

Rabi’u Aminu Lawan, Taiye Fatoki

Reading level

ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs

From

Nigeria

Source

Global Storybooks

Licence

CC BY 4.0

Price

Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Mitsitsin Iri: Labarin Wangari Maathai is a short illustrated picture book in Hausa by Nicola Rijsdijk, illustrated by Maya Marshak and translated by Rabi’u Aminu Lawan, Taiye Fatoki. 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 Hausa. 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

Sunan wannan yarinya Wangari Maathai, ‘yar kasar Kenya ce a gabashin Afrika. Ta na sha’awar zama a waje, shi ya sa ta shuka iri a lambun gidansu. Lokacin da tafi san tafiya gida shi ne bayan faduwar rana, ta na…

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. “Mitsitsin Iri: Labarin Wangari Maathai” is also available in:

• Afrikaans · ‘n Klein saadjie: Die verhaal van Wangari Maathai
• Bemba · Ulubuto Lunoono: Ilyashi lya pali 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
• Kiswahili · Mbegu Ndogo: Hadithi ya Wangari Maathai
• 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 Hausa

• 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 Hausa

• Mataki Masu Kyan na Barci
• Yara masu Ƙwaɗayi
• Iska
• Hutawa Bayan Aiki
• Kada
• Tsirai ko'ina
• Aiki da Iyaye
• Buba da Mage

See all 204 free Hausa books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Mitsitsin Iri: Labarin Wangari Maathai” free to read?

Yes. “Mitsitsin Iri: Labarin 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 “Mitsitsin Iri: Labarin Wangari Maathai” in?

It is written in Hausa. Pagine has 204 free children’s books in Hausa.

What age is “Mitsitsin Iri: Labarin Wangari Maathai” for?

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

Is “Mitsitsin Iri: Labarin Wangari Maathai” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in Kiswahili, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Sepedi and more.

Who wrote “Mitsitsin Iri: Labarin Wangari Maathai”?

“Mitsitsin Iri: Labarin Wangari Maathai” was written by Nicola Rijsdijk and illustrated by Maya Marshak; the Hausa translation is by Rabi’u Aminu Lawan, Taiye Fatoki.

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Credits: Mitsitsin Iri: Labarin Wangari Maathai — Written by Nicola Rijsdijk; Illustrated by Maya Marshak; Translated by Rabi’u Aminu Lawan, Taiye Fatoki. Hausa, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-nigeria), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=9809). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026