Ngwazanga kutanga!

Name: Ngwazanga kutanga!
Availability: InStock
Author: Letta Machoga

A free picture book in Luvale by Letta Machoga

Cover of Ngwazanga kutanga!, a Luvale picture book

Ngwazanga kutanga! is a picture book in Luvale for ages 2–8 by Letta Machoga that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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

About this book

Ngwazanga kutanga! is a short illustrated picture book in Luvale by Letta Machoga, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Masho Kaloza. 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 Luvale. 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

Ngwazanga kutanga. Hiya nangutangila? Mdumbwami waphwevo nasavala. Hiya nangutangila? Mama nakhaka waphwevo vanazezama namilimo. Hiya nangutangila? Tata nakhaka walunga vanazezama. Hiya nangutangila, nangulitangila ami yavene! Ngwazanga kutanga! — Written by Letta Machoga; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Masho…

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. “Ngwazanga kutanga!” is also available in:

Reading together in Luvale

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 Luvale

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Ngwazanga kutanga!” free to read?

Yes. “Ngwazanga kutanga!” 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 “Ngwazanga kutanga!” in?

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

What age is “Ngwazanga kutanga!” for?

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

Is “Ngwazanga kutanga!” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Ngwazanga kutanga!”?

“Ngwazanga kutanga!” was written by Letta Machoga and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Luvale translation is by Masho Kaloza.

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Credits: Ngwazanga kutanga! — Written by Letta Machoga; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Masho Kaloza. Luvale, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=10547). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026