Ndiyathanda Ukufunda

Name: Ndiyathanda Ukufunda
Availability: InStock
Author: Letta Machoga

A free picture book in Xhosa by Letta Machoga

Cover of Ndiyathanda Ukufunda, a Xhosa picture book

Ndiyathanda Ukufunda is a picture book in Xhosa for ages 2–8 by Letta Machoga that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Xhosa
Written by: Letta Machoga
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Nokuthula Bernelee Dyonase
Reading level: ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 1 · First words
From: South Africa
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Ndiyathanda Ukufunda is a short illustrated picture book in Xhosa by Letta Machoga, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Nokuthula Bernelee Dyonase. It is written for ages 2–8 (Nursery–Year 1) and is graded as Level 1 · First words, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Xhosa. 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 35 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Ndiyathanda ukufunda. Ndingafundela bani? Umntwana ulele. Ndingafundela bani? Umama nomakhulu bayapheka. Ndingafundela bani? Utata notatomkhulu balungisa imoto. Ndingafundela bani? Ndizohlala phantsi ndizifundele mna. Ndiyathanda Ukufunda — Written by Letta Machoga; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Nokuthula Bernelee Dyonase.…

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. “Ndiyathanda Ukufunda” is also available in:

Reading together in Xhosa

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 Xhosa

See all 145 free Xhosa books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Ndiyathanda Ukufunda” free to read?

Yes. “Ndiyathanda Ukufunda” 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 “Ndiyathanda Ukufunda” in?

It is written in Xhosa. Pagine has 145 free children’s books in Xhosa.

What age is “Ndiyathanda Ukufunda” for?

It is best for ages 2–8 (Level 1 · First words). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Ndiyathanda Ukufunda” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in Hausa, Somali, Zulu, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda and more.

Who wrote “Ndiyathanda Ukufunda”?

“Ndiyathanda Ukufunda” was written by Letta Machoga and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Xhosa translation is by Nokuthula Bernelee Dyonase.

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Credits: Ndiyathanda Ukufunda — Written by Letta Machoga; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Nokuthula Bernelee Dyonase. Xhosa, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (southafricareads.org), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=10547). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026