Nonzimbele na Nzwĩĩ Itatũ

Name: Nonzimbele na Nzwĩĩ Itatũ
Availability: InStock
Author: Tessa Welch

A free picture book in Kikamba by Tessa Welch

Cover of Nonzimbele na Nzwĩĩ Itatũ, a Kikamba picture book

Nonzimbele na Nzwĩĩ Itatũ is a picture book in Kikamba for ages 5–11 by Tessa Welch that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Kikamba
Written by: Tessa Welch
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Anna Kula
Reading level: ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
From: Kenya
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Nonzimbele na Nzwĩĩ Itatũ is a short illustrated picture book in Kikamba by Tessa Welch, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Anna Kula. 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 Kikamba. 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 31 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Tene tene vyũ, eĩtu atatũ nĩmaendie kuna ngũ. Nũndũ sua nĩyaĩte mũno nĩmaendie ũsĩnĩ kũthambĩa. Nĩmathaũkie na kũtivũa kĩw’ũ na kũthambĩa. Kwa mĩtũkĩ nĩmamanyie kana nĩmaseleetwe kwĩnũka. Nĩmekalatile masyoka ndũanĩ. Mevakuvĩ na mũsyĩ Nozimbele nĩwakwatie ngingo yake na amanya kana…

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. “Nonzimbele na Nzwĩĩ Itatũ” is also available in:

Reading together in Kikamba

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 Kikamba

See all 19 free Kikamba books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Nonzimbele na Nzwĩĩ Itatũ” free to read?

Yes. “Nonzimbele na Nzwĩĩ Itatũ” 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 “Nonzimbele na Nzwĩĩ Itatũ” in?

It is written in Kikamba. Pagine has 19 free children’s books in Kikamba.

What age is “Nonzimbele na Nzwĩĩ Itatũ” for?

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

Is “Nonzimbele na Nzwĩĩ Itatũ” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Nigerian Pidgin, Kiswahili, EkeGusii, Kimaasai, Somali and more.

Who wrote “Nonzimbele na Nzwĩĩ Itatũ”?

“Nonzimbele na Nzwĩĩ Itatũ” was written by Tessa Welch and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Kikamba translation is by Anna Kula.

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Credits: Nonzimbele na Nzwĩĩ Itatũ — Written by Tessa Welch; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Anna Kula. Kikamba, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-kenya), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=1880). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026