Nozibele na nywele tatu

Name: Nozibele na nywele tatu
Availability: InStock
Author: Tessa Welch

A free picture book in Kiswahili by Tessa Welch

Cover of Nozibele na nywele tatu, a Kiswahili picture book

Nozibele na nywele tatu is a picture book in Kiswahili for ages 5–11 by Tessa Welch that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Kiswahili
Written by: Tessa Welch
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Matteo E
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

Nozibele na nywele tatu is a short illustrated picture book in Kiswahili by Tessa Welch, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Matteo E. 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 Kiswahili. 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

Hapo zamani za kale, wasichana watatu walienda kukusanya kuni. Ilikuwa ni siku yenye jua kali na wakaamua kwenda mtoni kuogelea. Wakaogelea huku wakicheza na kurushiana maji. Ghafla waligundua kuwa muda umekwenda. Wakaharakisha kurudi nyumbani. Walipokuwa wanakaribia kufika nyumbani, Nozibele akajishika…

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. “Nozibele na nywele tatu” is also available in:

Reading together in Kiswahili

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 Kiswahili

See all 100 free Kiswahili books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Nozibele na nywele tatu” free to read?

Yes. “Nozibele na nywele tatu” 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 “Nozibele na nywele tatu” in?

It is written in Kiswahili. Pagine has 100 free children’s books in Kiswahili.

What age is “Nozibele na nywele tatu” for?

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

Is “Nozibele na nywele tatu” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Nozibele na nywele tatu”?

“Nozibele na nywele tatu” was written by Tessa Welch and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Kiswahili translation is by Matteo E.

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Credits: Nozibele na nywele tatu — Written by Tessa Welch; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Matteo E. Mwita; Read by Lauwo George. Kiswahili, 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