PagineNkima
A free picture book in Samburu by Deborah Namugosa, Beatrice Nabune, Alison Tukei, Rose Sabano
Nkima is a picture book in Samburu for ages 2–8 by Deborah Namugosa, Beatrice Nabune, Alison Tukei, Rose Sabano that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Samburu
- Written by
- Deborah Namugosa, Beatrice Nabune, Alison Tukei, Rose Sabano
- Illustrated by
- Rob Owen
- Reading level
- ages 2–8 · preschool, kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 1 · First words
- From
- Kenya
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 3.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Nkima is a short illustrated picture book in Samburu by Deborah Namugosa, Beatrice Nabune, Alison Tukei, Rose Sabano, illustrated by Rob Owen. 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 Samburu. 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 32 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).
How it begins
Ng’ura, nkima! Kepejisho nkima. Keyerisho nkima. Keysheru nkima nkirewaj. Keysheru nkima ong’an. Ng’ura, nkima! Kesupat oleng’ nkima. Naa keata ngupu. Nkima — Written by Deborah Namugosa, Beatrice Nabune, Alison Tukei, Rose Sabano; Illustrated by Rob Owen. Samburu, Level 1. From…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. “Nkima” is also available in:
- Afrikaans · Vuur
- Bemba · Umulilo
- Dagbani · Buɣim
- Dhopadhola · Mac
- English · Fire
- Jamaican Creole · Faiya
- Kaonde · Mujilo
- Khoekhoegowab · ǀAes
- Kichaga · Moro
- Kigogo · Moto
- Kikuyu · Mwaki
- Kisukuma · Mootó
- Kiswahili · Moto
- Krio · Faya
- Luganda · Omuliro
- Lukhonzo · Omuliro
- Lunda · Kesi
- Lunyole · Omuliro
- Luvale · Kakahya
- Mauritian Creole · Dife
- Nyanja · Moto
- Oshikwanyama · Omundilo
- Oshindonga · Omulilo
- Otjiherero · Omuriro
- Sesotho · Mollo
- Somali · Dab
- Spanish · El fuego
- Tonga · Mulilo
- Tsonga · Ndzilo
- Tswana · Molelo
- Yoruba · Íná
- Zulu · Umlilo
Reading together in Samburu
- 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.
See all 1 free Samburu books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Nkima” free to read?
Yes. “Nkima” 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 “Nkima” in?
It is written in Samburu. Pagine has 1 free children’s book in Samburu.
What age is “Nkima” for?
It is best for ages 2–8 (Level 1 · First words). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Nkima” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in English, Yoruba, Kiswahili, Kikuyu, Somali, Zulu and more.
Who wrote “Nkima”?
“Nkima” was written by Deborah Namugosa, Beatrice Nabune, Alison Tukei, Rose Sabano and illustrated by Rob Owen.
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Get the free app →Credits: Nkima — Written by Deborah Namugosa, Beatrice Nabune, Alison Tukei, Rose Sabano; Illustrated by Rob Owen. Samburu, Level 1. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-kenya), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=8565). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026