Mwana wa Donki

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

A free picture book in Lunda by Lindiwe Matshikiza

Cover of Mwana wa Donki, a Lunda picture book

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

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Language: Lunda
Written by: Lindiwe Matshikiza
Illustrated by: Meghan Judge
Translated by: Oscar Zangata
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 Donki is a short illustrated picture book in Lunda by Lindiwe Matshikiza, illustrated by Meghan Judge and translated by Oscar Zangata. 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 Lunda. 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

Wadin’ga kansi wamunyaya waweni chuma chakadi kwiluka hahalehi. Chuma chenichi chichaswilili mwakamwihi, wadin’ga mukamama nakulishi ivumu. Wadin’ga wansonyi ilan’ga ona Kansi wamunyanya wadikakili nakuswila kudi ona mukamama wevumu. “Twatela kumulama nanetu,” antu zha nona Kansi adikasili. “Tukumulama namwanindi chachiwahi.” Mwana…

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 Donki” is also available in:

Reading together in Lunda

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 Lunda

See all 40 free Lunda books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Mwana wa Donki” free to read?

Yes. “Mwana wa Donki” 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 Donki” in?

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

What age is “Mwana wa Donki” for?

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

Is “Mwana wa Donki” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Mwana wa Donki”?

“Mwana wa Donki” was written by Lindiwe Matshikiza and illustrated by Meghan Judge; the Lunda translation is by Oscar Zangata.

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Credits: Mwana wa Donki — Written by Lindiwe Matshikiza; Illustrated by Meghan Judge; Translated by Oscar Zangata. Lunda, 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