Mona Banyama

Name: Mona Banyama
Availability: InStock
Author: Jenny Katz

A free picture book in Kaonde by Jenny Katz

Cover of Mona Banyama, a Kaonde picture book

Mona Banyama is a picture book in Kaonde for ages 2–8 by Jenny Katz that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Kaonde
Written by: Jenny Katz
Illustrated by: Sandy Campbell
Translated by: Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo
Reading level: ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 1 · First words
From: Zambia
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY-NC 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Mona Banyama is a short illustrated picture book in Kaonde by Jenny Katz, illustrated by Sandy Campbell and translated by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo. It is written for ages 2–8 (Nursery–Year 1) and is graded as Level 1 · First words, 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-NC 3.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 25 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Mona banyama. Ñombe ujila amba, “Moo.” Mbuzhi ujili amba, “Mee, mee.” Mbongolo wamba amba, “Neeeee.” Nkumba wamba amba, “Ggggrrrrr.” Nzolo wamba amba, “Koookoookooo.” Kabwa baboza amba, “Booobooo.” Njimi wamba amba, “Shhh!” Mona Banyama — Written by Jenny Katz; Illustrated by…

Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY-NC 3.0).

This story in other languages

Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Mona Banyama” 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 “Mona Banyama” free to read?

Yes. “Mona Banyama” 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-NC 3.0).

What language is “Mona Banyama” in?

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

What age is “Mona Banyama” for?

It is best for ages 2–8 (Level 1 · First words). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Mona Banyama” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Hausa, Kiswahili, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa and more.

Who wrote “Mona Banyama”?

“Mona Banyama” was written by Jenny Katz and illustrated by Sandy Campbell; the Kaonde translation is by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo.

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Credits: Mona Banyama — Written by Jenny Katz; Illustrated by Sandy Campbell; Translated by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo. Kaonde, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=1221). CC BY-NC 3.0. · Page updated October 2026