Namutosi ni butsuune butaru

Name: Namutosi ni butsuune butaru
Availability: InStock
Author: Tessa Welch

A free picture book in Lumasaaba by Tessa Welch

Cover of Namutosi ni butsuune butaru, a Lumasaaba picture book

Namutosi ni butsuune butaru is a picture book in Lumasaaba for ages 5–11 by Tessa Welch that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Lumasaaba
Written by: Tessa Welch
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Fabian Wakholi
Reading level: ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
From: Uganda
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Namutosi ni butsuune butaru is a short illustrated picture book in Lumasaaba by Tessa Welch, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Fabian Wakholi. 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 Lumasaaba. The book comes from Global Storybooks and is shared under an open CC BY 3.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 31 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Aabawo khaalekho, bakhaana bataru baatsya khureenya tsiikhu. Antsye aaba abiilile naabi, kila batsya i luutsi khuusuba. Baryo baasuba nga benyaha, nga behanyakila kameetsi. Baatsya khukhebulila nga antsye abukabukana. Beeyunakho khuukobolayo ingo. Nga bali aambi khukhwoola ingo, Namutosi weyabaaba mu milo…

Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY 3.0).

This story in other languages

Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Namutosi ni butsuune butaru” is also available in:

Reading together in Lumasaaba

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 Lumasaaba

See all 16 free Lumasaaba books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Namutosi ni butsuune butaru” free to read?

Yes. “Namutosi ni butsuune butaru” 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 3.0).

What language is “Namutosi ni butsuune butaru” in?

It is written in Lumasaaba. Pagine has 16 free children’s books in Lumasaaba.

What age is “Namutosi ni butsuune butaru” for?

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

Is “Namutosi ni butsuune butaru” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Nigerian Pidgin, Kiswahili, EkeGusii, Kikamba, Kimaasai and more.

Who wrote “Namutosi ni butsuune butaru”?

“Namutosi ni butsuune butaru” was written by Tessa Welch and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Lumasaaba translation is by Fabian Wakholi.

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Credits: Namutosi ni butsuune butaru — Written by Tessa Welch; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Fabian Wakholi. Lumasaaba, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-uganda), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=1880). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026