Pagine‘n Klein saadjie: Die verhaal van Wangari Maathai
A free picture book in Afrikaans by Nicola Rijsdijk
‘n Klein saadjie: Die verhaal van Wangari Maathai is a picture book in Afrikaans for ages 5–11 by Nicola Rijsdijk that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Afrikaans
- Written by
- Nicola Rijsdijk
- Illustrated by
- Maya Marshak
- Translated by
- Monique, Helena Vilonel
- Reading level
- ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
- From
- South Africa, Namibia
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
‘n Klein saadjie: Die verhaal van Wangari Maathai is a short illustrated picture book in Afrikaans by Nicola Rijsdijk, illustrated by Maya Marshak and translated by Monique, Helena Vilonel. 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 Afrikaans. 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 21 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).
How it begins
In ‘n klein dorpie teen die hange van berg Kenia het ‘n klein dogtertjie in die landerye saam met haar ma gewerk. Haar naam was Wangari. Wangari het dit baie geniet om buite te wees. In hulle familie se groentetuin…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. “‘n Klein saadjie: Die verhaal van Wangari Maathai” is also available in:
- Bemba · Ulubuto Lunoono: Ilyashi lya pali Wangari Maathai
- Hausa · Mitsitsin Iri: Labarin Wangari Maathai
- Jamaican Creole · Wahn Biini Siid: Di Stuori Bout Wangaari Matai
- Kaonde · Kalukunwa Kakacheeche; Jishimikila jakwa Wangari Maatai
- Khoekhoegowab · ǂKhari ǃKhomros: Wangari Maathais di ǂhôas
- Kiswahili · Mbegu Ndogo: Hadithi ya Wangari Maathai
- Lukhonzo · Erihera embutho: Omwatsi wa Wangari Maathai
- Lunda · Kambuntu kakanyanya: insan’gu ya Wangari Maathai.
- Luvale · Mbuto yayindende: Mujimbu wa Wangari Maathai
- Mauritian Creole · Enn tipti lagrin : Zistwar Wangari Maathai
- Nyanja · Kambewu kangóno: Nkhani ya Wangari Maathai
- Oshikwanyama · Okambuto kanininini: Ehokololo laWangari Maathai
- Oshindonga · Okambuto okashonashona: Ehokololo lyaWangari Maathai
- Otjiherero · Okandwi okaṱikona: Ehungi ra Wangari Maathai
- Sepedi · Peu Ye Nnyanennyane
- Somali · Mir yar: Sheekadii Wangari Mathaay
- Spanish · Una pequeña semilla: la historia de Wangari Maathai
- Tonga · Mbuto Nsyoonto: Kaano ka Wangari Maathai
- Tswana · Peo E Nnye: Tlhamane ya ga Wangari Maathai
- Xhosa · A Tiny Seed: The Story of Wangari Maathai
- Zulu · Imbewu Encane
Reading together in Afrikaans
- 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 Afrikaans
Koning van die Voëls
Die Wildwagter en sy Spesiale Reservaat
Hamisi se Gelukkige Dag
My Juffrou
Gevoelens
Boek oor die weer
Kinders van was
‘n Baie lang man
See all 143 free Afrikaans books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “‘n Klein saadjie: Die verhaal van Wangari Maathai” free to read?
Yes. “‘n Klein saadjie: Die verhaal van Wangari Maathai” 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 “‘n Klein saadjie: Die verhaal van Wangari Maathai” in?
It is written in Afrikaans. Pagine has 143 free children’s books in Afrikaans.
What age is “‘n Klein saadjie: Die verhaal van Wangari Maathai” for?
It is best for ages 5–11 (Level 3 · First paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “‘n Klein saadjie: Die verhaal van Wangari Maathai” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in Hausa, Kiswahili, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Sepedi and more.
Who wrote “‘n Klein saadjie: Die verhaal van Wangari Maathai”?
“‘n Klein saadjie: Die verhaal van Wangari Maathai” was written by Nicola Rijsdijk and illustrated by Maya Marshak; the Afrikaans translation is by Monique, Helena Vilonel.
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Get the free app →Credits: ‘n Klein saadjie: Die verhaal van Wangari Maathai — Written by Nicola Rijsdijk; Illustrated by Maya Marshak; Translated by Monique, Helena Vilonel; Read by Helena Vilonel. Afrikaans, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (southafricareads.org), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=9809). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026