PagineMtoto Punda
A free picture book in Kiswahili by Lindiwe Matshikiza
Mtoto Punda is a picture book in Kiswahili for ages 5–11 by Lindiwe Matshikiza that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Kiswahili
- Written by
- Lindiwe Matshikiza
- Illustrated by
- Meghan Judge
- Translated by
- Monica Shank Lauwo, Lauwo George
- Reading level
- ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
- From
- Kenya
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Mtoto Punda is a short illustrated picture book in Kiswahili by Lindiwe Matshikiza, illustrated by Meghan Judge and translated by Monica Shank Lauwo, Lauwo George. 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 Kiswahili. 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
Ilikuwa ni msichana mdogo aliyekuwa wa kwanza kuona umbo la ajabu kwa mbali. Kadiri umbo lilipokaribia, aliona kwamba lilikuwa ni mwanamke mwenye ujauzito mkubwa. Kwa upole na ujasiri, msichana alimsogelea mwanamke yule. “Lazima tumhifadhi,” watu wa msichana yule walisema. “Tutawaweka…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. “Mtoto Punda” is also available in:
- Afrikaans · Donkie-kind
- Bemba · Umwana Punda
- Dhopadhola · Nyathi Ma Nyakare
- English · Donkey child
- Jamaican Creole · Dangki Pikni
- Kaonde · Mbongolo Mwana
- Khoekhoegowab · Donki ǀgôab xa
- Lukhonzo · Akana K’epunda
- Lunda · Mwana wa Donki
- Luvale · Mwana Chimbulu
- Mauritian Creole · Zanfan-Bourik
- Nyanja · Mwana wa Bulu
- Oshikwanyama · Okaana okandongwina
- Oshindonga · Okanona okandôongi
- Otjiherero · Okasinona
- Somali · Ilmo dameer ah
- Spanish · El Niño Burro
- Tonga · Kana Kambongolo
- Tswana · Ngwana wa setshwano sa tonki
- Turkana · Ikoku sikiria
- Xhosa · Umbhongolo, Usana Olusisimanga
- Zulu · Umntwana ongajwayelekile
Reading together in Kiswahili
- 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 Kiswahili
See all 40 free Kiswahili books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Mtoto Punda” free to read?
Yes. “Mtoto Punda” 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 “Mtoto Punda” in?
It is written in Kiswahili. Pagine has 40 free children’s books in Kiswahili.
What age is “Mtoto Punda” for?
It is best for ages 5–11 (Level 3 · First paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Mtoto Punda” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in English, Turkana, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and more.
Who wrote “Mtoto Punda”?
“Mtoto Punda” was written by Lindiwe Matshikiza and illustrated by Meghan Judge; the Kiswahili translation is by Monica Shank Lauwo, Lauwo George.
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Get the free app →Credits: Mtoto Punda — Written by Lindiwe Matshikiza; Illustrated by Meghan Judge; Translated by Monica Shank Lauwo, Lauwo George; Read by Lauwo George. Kiswahili, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-uganda), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=15028). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026