Mwana wa Bulu

Name: Mwana wa Bulu
Availability: InStock
Author: Lindiwe Matshikiza

A free picture book in Nyanja by Lindiwe Matshikiza

Cover of Mwana wa Bulu, a Nyanja picture book

Mwana wa Bulu is a picture book in Nyanja for ages 5–11 by Lindiwe Matshikiza that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Nyanja
Written by: Lindiwe Matshikiza
Illustrated by: Meghan Judge
Translated by: David Sani Mwanza
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 wa Bulu is a short illustrated picture book in Nyanja by Lindiwe Matshikiza, illustrated by Meghan Judge and translated by David Sani Mwanza. 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 Nyanja. 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

Kanali kamwana kakakazi kang’ono komwe kanaona cinthu ca maonekedwe odabwitsa patali. Pamane cinthu cinabwela pafupi, anaona kuti anali mzimai omwe anali ndi mimba yaikulu. Mwamanyazi koma mopanda mantha, kamwana kanasendela pafupi ndi mzimai. “Tifunika kuwasunga,” anthu a kamwana kakazi anaganizila.…

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 wa Bulu” 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 “Mwana wa Bulu” free to read?

Yes. “Mwana wa Bulu” 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 wa Bulu” in?

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

What age is “Mwana wa Bulu” for?

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

Is “Mwana wa Bulu” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Turkana, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and more.

Who wrote “Mwana wa Bulu”?

“Mwana wa Bulu” was written by Lindiwe Matshikiza and illustrated by Meghan Judge; the Nyanja translation is by David Sani Mwanza.

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Credits: Mwana wa Bulu — Written by Lindiwe Matshikiza; Illustrated by Meghan Judge; Translated by David Sani Mwanza; Read by Christine Mwanza. Nyanja, 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