Ng’Itim

A free picture book in Turkana by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

Ng’Itim is a picture book in Turkana for ages 2–8 by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language

Turkana

Written by

Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi

Illustrated by

Bronwen Heath, Ingrid Schechter

Translated by

Alfred Esinyen, Simon Ipoo

Reading level

ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 1 · First words

From

Kenya

Source

Global Storybooks

Licence

CC BY-NC 3.0

Price

Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Ng’Itim is a short illustrated picture book in Turkana by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi, illustrated by Bronwen Heath, Ingrid Schechter and translated by Alfred Esinyen, Simon Ipoo. 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 Turkana. The book comes from Global Storybooks and is shared under an open CC BY-NC 3.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 34 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Euriaka ng’tim a Thuli. Ewoyak ng’itim a Anna. Ewoyak ng’itim lu a Kathi akidwang daang. Ewoitoe ng’itim lu a Zama. Eyakar Baba epenek. Ikyerarit Zanele ng’itim keng. Ebanyit Thabo ekinyos lotim. Ekulujaarit Themba ng’itim keng. Ng’Itim — Written by Clare…

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

This story in other languages

Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Ng’Itim” is also available in:

• Afrikaans · Hare
• Aringati · ̃ ĩnũ wé lẽ Drĩꞌ̣ bị́ Iz
• Ateso · Itima
• Bemba · Umushishi
• English · Hair
• Irish · Gruaig
• Jamaican Creole · Ier
• Kaonde · Nsuki
• Khoekhoegowab · ǀÛn
• Kigogo · Mvwili
• Kikamba · Nzwĩĩ
• Kimaasai · Ilpápít
• Kiswahili · Nywele
• Krio · Ia
• Luganda · Enviri
• Lukhonzo · Esy’anzwiri
• Lumasaaba · Litsuune
• Lunda · Insuki
• Lunyole · Efiiri
• Lusoga · Nviiri
• Luvale · Jikhambu
• Mauritian Creole · Seve
• Nyanja · Tsitsi
• Oshikwanyama · Eexwiki
• Oshindonga · Omafufu
• Otjiherero · Ozondjise
• Sesotho · Moriri
• Somali · Timo
• Spanish · El pelo
• Tonga · Masusu
• Tswana · Moriri
• Venda · Mavhudzi
• Xhosa · Iinwele
• Zulu · Izinwele

Reading together in Turkana

• 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 Turkana

• Lokaito Loochi Lokalany
• Akine, Ing’ok Ka Aite
• Ng’arei
• Atiakun Akiroit
• Akinyang Na Anyamit Akoro
• Nyonte Emakar Epir Ng’Itim
• Akilakin Ata Egolitoe Esukul
• Nyo Isubi Iyong?

See all 17 free Turkana books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Ng’Itim” free to read?

Yes. “Ng’Itim” 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-NC 3.0).

What language is “Ng’Itim” in?

It is written in Turkana. Pagine has 17 free children’s books in Turkana.

What age is “Ng’Itim” for?

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

Is “Ng’Itim” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, Kikamba, Kimaasai, Somali, Zulu and more.

Who wrote “Ng’Itim”?

“Ng’Itim” was written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi and illustrated by Bronwen Heath, Ingrid Schechter; the Turkana translation is by Alfred Esinyen, Simon Ipoo.

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Credits: Ng’Itim — Written by Clare Verbeek, Thembani Dladla, Zanele Buthelezi; Illustrated by Bronwen Heath, Ingrid Schechter; Translated by Alfred Esinyen, Simon Ipoo. Turkana, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-kenya), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=1746). CC BY-NC 3.0. · Page updated October 2026