Nkhuku ndi Nkhwazi

Name: Nkhuku ndi Nkhwazi
Availability: InStock
Author: Ann Nduku

A free picture book in Nyanja by Ann Nduku

Cover of Nkhuku ndi Nkhwazi, a Nyanja picture book

Nkhuku ndi Nkhwazi is a picture book in Nyanja for ages 5–11 by Ann Nduku that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Nyanja
Written by: Ann Nduku
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Sitwe Benson Mkandawire
Reading level: ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
From: Zambia
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Nkhuku ndi Nkhwazi is a short illustrated picture book in Nyanja by Ann Nduku, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Sitwe Benson Mkandawire. 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 Nyanja. 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 27 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Panali-panali, nkhuku ndi nkhwazi anali abwenzi. Anakhala mumutendele ndi mbalame zina. Panalibe paiwo amene anali kuuluka. Tsiku lina, kunali njala kudziko. Nkhwazi anali kuyenda kutali kukasakila cakudya. Anabwelako olema kwambili. “Kufunikila kukhala njila ina yapafupi mumayendedwe” Nkhwazi inatelo. Mumawa mwace,…

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. “Nkhuku ndi Nkhwazi” is also available in:

Reading together in Nyanja

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 Nyanja

See all 105 free Nyanja books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Nkhuku ndi Nkhwazi” free to read?

Yes. “Nkhuku ndi Nkhwazi” 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 “Nkhuku ndi Nkhwazi” in?

It is written in Nyanja. Pagine has 105 free children’s books in Nyanja.

What age is “Nkhuku ndi Nkhwazi” for?

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

Is “Nkhuku ndi Nkhwazi” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, EkeGusii, Somali, Xhosa, Afrikaans and more.

Who wrote “Nkhuku ndi Nkhwazi”?

“Nkhuku ndi Nkhwazi” was written by Ann Nduku and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Nyanja translation is by Sitwe Benson Mkandawire.

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Credits: Nkhuku ndi Nkhwazi — Written by Ann Nduku; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Sitwe Benson Mkandawire; Read by Christine Mwanza. Nyanja, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=2084). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026