PagineMwana Chimbulu
A free picture book in Luvale by Lindiwe Matshikiza
Mwana Chimbulu is a picture book in Luvale for ages 5–11 by Lindiwe Matshikiza that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Luvale
- Written by
- Lindiwe Matshikiza
- Illustrated by
- Meghan Judge
- Translated by
- Kaloza Masho
- Reading level
- ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
- From
- Zambia
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Mwana Chimbulu is a short illustrated picture book in Luvale by Lindiwe Matshikiza, illustrated by Meghan Judge and translated by Kaloza Masho. 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 Luvale. 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
Apwile kanyike waphwevo avangilile kumona uze mujimba wakukomwesa hakasuku. Omu uze mujimba waswenyene mwakamwihi, amwene ngwenyi apwile phwevo walijimo. Oku sonyi oloze nawa nakumika, uze kanyike waphwevo aswenyene kwakamwihi nauze phwevo. Vathu jauze kanyike waphwevo valivwasanyine ngwavo, “Twatela kumulama kanawa…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. “Mwana Chimbulu” 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
- Kiswahili · Mtoto Punda
- Lukhonzo · Akana K’epunda
- Lunda · Mwana wa Donki
- 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 Luvale
- 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 Luvale
Avali
Chahonesa nguvu kupwa naungona
Andiswa muyatwa wangunja yakumahinji
Likumbi ngwafumine hembo nakuya kumbaka
Makumbi akunokha nakhaka waphwevo
Ngandu Wazala
Kuteleka
Tom mukakulanjisa makonde
See all 40 free Luvale books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Mwana Chimbulu” free to read?
Yes. “Mwana Chimbulu” 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 “Mwana Chimbulu” in?
It is written in Luvale. Pagine has 40 free children’s books in Luvale.
What age is “Mwana Chimbulu” for?
It is best for ages 5–11 (Level 3 · First paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Mwana Chimbulu” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in English, Turkana, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and more.
Who wrote “Mwana Chimbulu”?
“Mwana Chimbulu” was written by Lindiwe Matshikiza and illustrated by Meghan Judge; the Luvale translation is by Kaloza Masho.
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Get the free app →Credits: Mwana Chimbulu — Written by Lindiwe Matshikiza; Illustrated by Meghan Judge; Translated by Kaloza Masho. Luvale, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=15028). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026