Mphwanga Waulesi

Name: Mphwanga Waulesi
Availability: InStock
Author: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

A free picture book in Nyanja by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

Cover of Mphwanga Waulesi, a Nyanja picture book

Mphwanga Waulesi is a picture book in Nyanja for ages 2–8 by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Nyanja
Written by: Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi
Illustrated by: Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter
Translated by: Gridon Mwale
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

Mphwanga Waulesi is a short illustrated picture book in Nyanja by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi, illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter and translated by Gridon Mwale. 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 Nyanja. 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 33 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Ndimadzuka ndi kusonkha moto. Ndimawilitsa madzi. Ndimadula nkhuni. Ndimabvundula m’poto. Ndimapsyela munyumba. Ndimatsuka mbale. Chifukwa nciani ndimagwila ncthito mwaphamvu ine ndekha… Pamene mphwanga atangwanidwa ndi kusewela cabe? Mphwanga Waulesi — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; 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. “Mphwanga Waulesi” is also available in:

Reading together in Nyanja

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 Nyanja

See all 105 free Nyanja books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Mphwanga Waulesi” free to read?

Yes. “Mphwanga Waulesi” 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 “Mphwanga Waulesi” in?

It is written in Nyanja. Pagine has 105 free children’s books in Nyanja.

What age is “Mphwanga Waulesi” for?

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

Is “Mphwanga Waulesi” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, Kikamba, Kimaasai, Turkana, Somali and more.

Who wrote “Mphwanga Waulesi”?

“Mphwanga Waulesi” was written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi and illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter; the Nyanja translation is by Gridon Mwale.

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Credits: Mphwanga Waulesi — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated by Mlungisi Dlamini, Ingrid Schechter; Translated by Gridon Mwale; Read by Christine Mwanza. Nyanja, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=2896). CC BY-NC 3.0. · Page updated October 2026